For more than 40 years, Saddleback College's Cosmetology and Esthetician programs have provided a direct pathway to employment in South Orange County’s buzzing beauty industry. The College partners with local beauty salons to provide hands-on training, while preparing students to pass the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology licensure exam.
Saddleback College's Cosmetology program is fully accredited and nationally renowned, having ranked #14 among all U.S. programs in a study conducted by TheBestColleges.org.
Cosmetology Program Information
These are certificate programs through which, as a Saddleback College student, you earn college credits and upon completion either a Certificate of Achievement or an Occupational Skills Award.
Classes are taught off-campus at one of two local beauty schools. Please see below for the current list of beauty schools we are contracted with and links to their websites.
The Cosmetology Program is a 1,600-hour program comprised of four (12 units each) to be taken in consecutive order. This program is completed in approximately three semesters for full-time students and six semesters for part-time students. The classes are 40 hours per week for full-time day students. Part-time students attend approximately 20-24 hours per week.
The Esthetician Program is a 600-hour program comprised of two courses (9 units each). This program is completed in approximately one semester for full-time students and two to three semesters for part-time students.
Classes are open entry and student cohorts start at times offered throughout the semester.
- Complete an application for admission to Saddleback College for the semester you would like to begin the Cosmetology program.
- College of Record must be Saddleback College. Irvine Valley College students, please contact Cosmetology program for assistance.
- Complete Matriculation
- Apply for Financial Aid (optional)
- Complete Prerequisite Documentation and email to ATAS Division Office.
- Pre-Enrollment Application Form
- Petition for Certificate of Achievement/OSA Form
- Student Code of Conduct and Agreement
- Provide a copy of more updated Cosmetology or Esthetician License, Proof of Training(s), Transcript of Operations, and Transfer Credits (for students with previous training)
The Cosmetology and Esthetician program will begin accepting pre-applications and pre-requisite documentation for Spring 2023 the first week of November 2022 through January 12, 2023.
New and returning students are required to attend orientation. Orientations are planned for the following dates (please note location):
- Saddleback Beauty Academy in Laguna Hills
- Monday, January 2, 2023 at 1 pm and 6 pm
- Monday, March 13, 2023 at 1 pm and 6 pm
- SABA Beauty Academy in Lake Forest
- Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 1 pm
- Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 1 pm
As part of the cosmetology and esthetician program, students will be required to purchase their own kit with the tools and products needed to complete their training, a textbook/learning system, and a uniform.
Kits
Students have three options for where they can acquire a kit:
- Purchase at the beauty school where student will attend training;
- Purchase a standard Saddleback kit through Jazz-Z-Beauty Supply, and Supplemental Items through brand distributors; or
- Self-source the beauty school kit through your own contacts/vendors (per beauty school kit list, items to be inspected by beauty school).
Spring 2023 Cosmetology Kits
SABA Beauty Lake Forest Cosmetology Kit List
Saddleback Beauty Laguna Hills Cosmetology Kit List
Jazz-Z Beauty Supply Cosmetology Kit and Supplementals
Spring 2023 Esthetician Kits
SABA Beauty Lake Forest Esthetician Kit List
Saddleback Beauty Laguna Hills Esthetician Kit List
Jazz-Z Beauty Supply Esthetician Kit List
Required Textbook
Required text for Cosmetology program: Milady Cosmetology Textbook and CIMA* BUNDLE, $350
Required text for Esthetician program: Milady Foundation/Esthetics Textbook 12th Ed and CIMA* BUNDLE, $350
Uniform
Uniforms to be purchased from beauty school for $50.
Students must provide the following upon acceptance into the Cosmetology program:
- Copy of photo identification
- Social Security card
- Payment to beauty school for Cosmetology or Esthetician Kit (if purchasing through beauty school)
- Cash or check
- Credit card (if accepted, may be subject to additional charge)
- If you self-sourced your kit and supplements, please bring them for inspection/approval a minimum of one week before the start of class
- Additional amount for Milady textbook/CIMA and uniform
These programs prepare you for the California State Board Exam (you must complete this exam in order to receive your license). For more information on this exam, please contact the beauty school. You may visit the website for the California Department of Consumer Affairs Board of Barbering and Cosmetology for more information.
While competition for jobs is keen, South Orange County, with its growing population, is a particularly good area for cosmetologists, estheticians and others connected with the hair care and beauty industry. With some experience and additional training, cosmetologists and estheticians are able to move into management and ownership positions, teaching, sales, the entertainment industry, and positions with the State Cosmetology Board.
You may visit the website for the American Association of Cosmetology Schools for more information on the beauty industry.
Beauty School Locations and Information
The cosmetology and esthetician courses are taught off-campus at local beauty schools. The two sites where our programs are being offered are Saddleback Beauty Academy in Laguna Hills and SABA Beauty Academy in Lake Forest.
Address: 23635 El Toro Road, Suites J-2 & K, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Phone: (949) 680-3888
Website: sababeautyschool.com
Email: sababeautyschool@yahoo.com
Course # | Ticket # | Hours | Units & Fees* |
---|---|---|---|
COS 211 | 11390A | 1-400 hours | 12 units x $46 per unit = $552 |
COS 212 | 11390D | 401-800 hours | 12 units x $46 per unit = $552 |
COS 213 | 11390G | 801-1,200 hours | 12 units x $46 per unit = $552 |
COS 214 | 11390J | 1,201-1,600 hours | 12 units x $46 per unit = $552 |
Course # | Ticket # | Hours | Units & Fees* |
---|---|---|---|
COS 250A | 11375A | 1-300 hours | 9 units x $46 per unit = $414 |
COS 250B | 11375D | 301-600 hours | 9 units x $46 per unit = $414 |
* all fees are subject to change
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | |
Cosmetology & Esthetician | No training | 8:30 am-5 pm | 8:30 am-5 pm | 8:30 am-5 pm | 8:30 am-5 pm | 8:30 am-5 pm |
Cosmetology & Esthetician | No training | 8:30 am-1:30 pm | 8:30 am-1:30 pm | 8:30 am-1:30 pm | 8:30 am-1:30 pm | 8:30 am-1:30 pm |
Note: Due to class lessons/progression, students will be allowed one switch in their full-time or part-time schedule. All schedules are subject to availability and change.
Address: 23565 Moulton Pkwy, Suite B, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Phone: (949) 649-8222
Website: saddlebackbeautyacademy.com
Email: info@saddlebackbeautyacademy.com
Course # | Ticket # | Hours | Units & Fees* |
COS 211 | 11380A | 1-400 hours | 12 units x $46 per unit = $552 |
COS 212 | 11380D | 401-800 hours | 12 units x $46 per unit = $552 |
COS 213 | 11380G | 801-1,200 hours | 12 units x $46 per unit = $552 |
COS 214 | 11380J | 1,201-1,600 hours | 12 units x $46 per unit = $552 |
Course # | Ticket # | Hours | Units & Fees* |
COS 250A | 11385A | 1-300 hours | 9 units x $46 per unit = $414 |
COS 250B | 11385D | 301-600 hours | 9 units x $46 per unit = $414 |
*all fees are subject to change
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | |
Cosmetology & Esthetician | No training | 8:30 am-12:30 pm | 8:30 am-12:30 pm | 8:30 am-12:30 pm | 8:30 am-5 pm | 8:30 am-5 pm |
Cosmetology & Esthetician | 6-10 pm | 6-10 pm | 6-10 pm | No training | No training | 8:30 am-5 pm |
Cosmetology & Esthetician | 6-10 pm | 6-10 pm | 6-10 pm | 6-10 pm | 6-10 pm | No training |
Cosmetology & Esthetician | No training | 8:30 am-5 pm | 8:30 am-5 pm | 8:30 am-5 pm | 8:30 am-5 pm | 8:30 am-5 pm |
Note: Due to class lessons/progression, students will be allowed one switch in their full-time or part-time schedule. All schedules are subject to availability and change.
Careers and Salaries
- Makeup Artist: $119,660
- Costume Attendant: $37,330
- Skincare Specialist: $36,400
- Hairdresser/Hairstylist/Cosmetologist: $30,100
- Manicurist/Pedicurist: $29,300