Cosmetology

Students must submit an RCC application for the semester they plan to attend the Cosmetology program. Students must submit an application to the college through CCC Apply and must select Cosmetology as Intended Major. Students can apply for all of next year’s semesters as early as October 1 of the year before.

Example: Students can apply for 2021 spring, 2021 summer and 2021 fall as early as October 1, 2020.

Once student has submitted the RCC online application, you must wait 3 business days to receive an email with assigned RCCD student ID number. Please read this email carefully, as there are more steps required in order to complete the RCC application. If applicant is a new college student, student must complete online orientation in order to register for the course and receive any financial aid assistance. For more information about becoming an RCCD student, visit the Become a Student page

Home College and Program of Study
Currently enrolled students must select one of the Cosmetology programs as their program of study. Students change their major in My Portal. Riverside City College (RCC) must be designated as your home school.

To change your home college:

• Complete the Request Home College Change Form
• Email the form to to admissionsriverside@rcc.edu.

For assistance changing your home college, email wearecte@rcc.edu. 

Financial Aid
Students can also complete the online Financial Aid application. Be sure to complete the Financial Aid application as early as October 1st of each year, as long as the student is a college student.

Back to top

Students interested in applying for the Cosmetology or Esthetician Programs must submit a second application under the Supplemental Applications section located in student’s RCC student account listed as the Cosmetology application. The second Cosmetology application is for both Cosmetology and Esthetician Programs.  Please know that the second Cosmetology/Esthetician application is only available 15 days out of the entire year, see below for details:

• If applying for the fall semester, the second cosmetology application will be open the third week in June  
• If applying for the spring semester, the second cosmetology application will be open the third week on October
• If applying for the summer semester, the second cosmetology application will be open third week in March

The second Cosmetology application window for the upcoming semesters are as follows: 

• Fall 2024 - Monday, June 17 - Monday, June 24, 2024  (cosmetology day and esthetician day programs scheduled, subject to change)
• Spring 2025 - Monday, October 21 – Monday, October 28, 2024 (cosmetology day, cosmetology evening and esthetician evening programs scheduled, subject to change)
• Summer 2025 - Monday, March 17 - Monday, March 24, 2025 (cosmetology day program scheduled, subject to change)
• Fall 2025 - Monday, June 16 - Monday June 23, 2025 (cosmetology day, cosmetology evening and esthetician evening programs scheduled, subject to change)

Students can only submit one application so be sure to check the appropriate box. Students will know the application processed if student tries to submit a second time and you receive a message stating student can only submit one application.

Back to top

Day cohorts meet Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:40 pm. Evening cohorts meet from 5:30 pm- 10:30 pm. 

Back to top

Day cohorts meet Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Evening cohorts meet from 5:30 pm- 10:30 pm. 

Back to top

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. 

Back to top

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.  

Back to top

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. 

Back to top

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. 

Back to top

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. 

Back to top

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. 

Back to top

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.  

Back to top

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. 

Back to top

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. 

Back to top

Students must be 18 or have graduated from high school.  

Back to top

Yes, any prospective or current RCC student can apply to the program. 

Back to top

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. 

Back to top

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. 

Back to top

More information will be provided at the orientation. We recommend that students purchase their kits approximately two weeks before the start of classes. 

Back to top

The kit company usually provides an invoice to distribute to students when the kits are delivered. 

Back to top

Textbooks, workbooks and theory books are required daily. Workbooks and theory books must be new/ unused. Textbooks can be new, used or rented. 

Back to top

Hard copies are required for classroom use. 

Back to top

Students can purchase uniforms from any supply dealer or online. 

• Uniform requirements are discussed on the first day of class. Students have one week to purchase their uniforms.  RCC recommends that students wait for the first day of class if they have questions on uniform requirements. 
• The cosmetology uniform includes unaltered solid black scrubs. The shirt must be V-neck, one vest pocket and unisex style (see department example). Pants must also be unisex style (see department example). Complete scrubs (pants and shirt) must be worn together at all times. Scrub pant hems must be of appropriate length (should not be able to see the top of your shoe when you walk, and the hem should not drag on the floor at the heel). No Cargo-style pockets are allowed. 
• Shoes must be plain black, totally enclosed, and have leather uppers and rubber soles. Heels are not to exceed 1½ inches in height. Students must wear plain white or black socks or nylons. 

Back to top

A student’s progress is determined by academic standing and meeting state agency requirements. Absenteeism may result in students missing state-required courses which may prevent progress. Absences should be discussed with the instructor. 

Back to top