Learn professional cosmetic services in salons, resorts, casinos, dermatologist’s offices and other related industry establishments. This includes courses in hair design, hair sculpting, chemical, esthetic and other cosmetic services, safety and sanitation, management, customer service, and preparation for practicing as licensed cosmetologist in the state of California.
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Most questions about costs, application windows, and kits are answered in the Application Section and FAQs below.
| Barbering Concepts AS
CE
|
Major Units 41 |
Typical Time to Completion 2 years |
|
| Cosmetology Concepts AS
CE
|
Major Units 39 |
Typical Time to Completion 2 years |
|
| Cosmetology Instructor Training CE
|
Major Units 14 |
Typical Time to Completion 1 year |
Program Requirements |
| Esthetician Concepts AS
CE
|
Major Units 20 |
Typical Time to Completion 1-2 years |
|
| Hairstyling Concepts CE
|
Major Units 19 |
Typical Time to Completion 1-2 years |
|
| Manicuring Concepts CE
|
Major Units 14 |
Typical Time to Completion 1 year |
Submit your general application via CCC Apply. Select Cosmetology as your intended major. You must receive your RCCD student ID number before proceeding to Step 2.
This second application is only available during specific 15-day windows. Check the application dates in your student account under "Supplemental Applications."
Fall 2025 Window: June 16 – June 23, 2025
Total costs include tuition, kits, textbooks, and uniforms. Costs are subject to change.
Day cohorts meet Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:40 pm. Evening cohorts meet from 5:30 pm- 10:30 pm.
Day cohorts meet Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Evening cohorts meet from 5:30 pm- 10:30 pm.
The cosmetology program offers students two choices of schedules. Full-time students attend class Monday through Friday from 8:00 am-4:30 pm for approximately 8-10 months. Part-time students attend classes Monday through Friday from 5:30 pm-10:30 pm for approximately 12-18 months.
Students complete the cosmetology program in a cohort, meaning that students work together to progress through the same set of classes at the same time. Students can either apply for the day-time, full-time program cohort, or the part-time evening program cohort.
To apply to the RCC Cosmetology program, students must first apply to RCC, then submit a supplemental application. Candidates are selected by lottery and those invited to enroll in the program will be notified via their RCC email. For more information on this two-step process, please see the How to Apply to Cosmetology and Esthetician Programs section. Please note that there is no confirmation page after submitting the cosmetology application.
The supplemental cosmetology program application opens three times a year. For more information on the application window, please see the How to Apply to Cosmetology and Esthetician Programs section.
To apply to the RCC Cosmetology program, students must first apply to RCC, and then submit a supplemental application.
Students will receive a welcome e-mail from Riverside City College Admissions and Records department two business days after submitting their college application. Students must apply for the semester they plan to start the cosmetology program. After receiving the welcome e-mail, students can log in to My Portal to submit the supplemental cosmetology application during the designated application period. For more information, please see the How to Apply to Cosmetology and Esthetician Programs section.
Students will be notified if they are accepted to the cosmetology program 30 days after the supplemental Cosmetology application closes. Students who are not accepted into the program will be placed on a waitlist. Students will be notified of their status via their RCC email and must confirm their place in the program.
To apply to the RCC Cosmetology program, students must first apply to RCC, then submit a supplemental application. Candidates are selected by lottery and those invited to enroll in the program will be notified on their RCC email. For more information on this two-step process, please see the How to Apply to Cosmetology and Esthetician Programs section.
Once you are accepted to the program, you will be invited to an information session, where you will be provided with additional information regarding registration. You can also learn more about the registration process by watching this video.
All students should apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you need additional assistance, please visit RCC Financial Aid, or call (951) 222-8710. If you are eligible for financial aid, you will receive it after you purchase the required cosmetology kits. The costs of the kits are located under Program Costs on the Cosmetology website.
RCC Enrollment fees are $46 per unit. Tuition is due before the start of the following term. Additional fees are listed on the RCC Tuition and Fees website. More information can be found in the Program Costs section.
Students can either enroll in a cosmetology certificate program and only take cosmetology courses, or they can enroll in a degree program, which requires students to take both cosmetology courses and general education courses. More information on the certificate and degrees offered can be found above.
Students must be 18 or have graduated from high school.
Yes, any prospective or current RCC student can apply to the program.
If a student is enrolling in a cosmetology degree program, they must take both cosmetology courses and general education courses. Students can enroll in general education courses before they are accepted into the cosmetology program. More information on the certificates and degrees offered can be found above.
Your educational advisor can answer any questions you have about the cosmetology program. You can make an appointment with her by following this link, or email questions to wearecte@rcc.edu.
