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. In August 2023, the College added Barbering and Manicuring programs to our list of offerings. The College partners with local beauty schools to provide hands-on training, while preparing students to pass the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology licensure exams.
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.
Beauty School Program Information
These four programs are non-credit, zero tuition, career development, and at completion students are awarded their certificate of completion, and a Proof of Training that is used in the application process to sit for the California State Board Exam for licensure. Students are required to purchase/maintain their kit, books, online learning system, and uniform.
Classes are taught off-campus at one of three local beauty schools. Please see below for the current list of beauty schools that we are contracted with and links to their websites.
- The Cosmetology Program is a 1,000-clock hour program comprised of four 250-hour courses to be taken in consecutive order. This program is completed in approximately six months to one year depending on the selected training schedule.
- The Esthetician Program is a 600-clock hour program comprised of two 300-hour courses to be taken in consecutive order. This program is completed in 15 weeks to seven months depending on the selected training schedule.
- The Barbering Program is a 1,000-clock hour program comprised of four 250-hour courses to be taken in consecutive order. This program is completed in approximately six months to one year depending on the selected training schedule.
- The Manicuring Program is a 400-clock hour program comprised of two 200-hour courses to be taken in consecutive order. This program is completed in ten weeks to five months depending on the selected training schedule.
The classes are 40 hours per week for full-time day students. Part-time students attend approximately 20-25-30 hours per week. We offer daytime and evening training schedules.
Classes are open entry and student cohorts start on specific days offered throughout the semester. Students attend the mandatory Orientation meeting.
- Complete an application for Saddleback College admission (and student ID number) for the semester (fall, spring, summer) you would like to begin the beauty school program.
- College of Record must be Saddleback College. Irvine Valley College students, please contact the Admissions office for assistance; scadmissions@saddleback.edu.
- Email your inquiry to the Cosmetology Department LPope@saddleback.edu or LHaugen@saddleback.edu for the instructions to pre-apply, kit/books costs, beauty school details and Info Sheets, training schedules, orientations and start dates.
- Complete BOTH Prerequisite Documentation #1 and #2
- Students with previous beauty school training who wish to transfer previous training hours into our program must email adequate documentation to the Cosmetology Department prior to beginning our program - assessment will be required.
- The Cosmetology Department will review your prerequisite documentation and provide you with next steps via email.
- NOTE: This is a non-credit program and Financial Aid is NOT available.
For specific start dates and orientation meetings, please refer to the Info Sheets attached to the email you received from the Cosmetology Department.
All (mandatory) Orientation meetings occur approximately one month prior to scheduled class start.
- Fall semester start dates August and October.
- Spring semester start dates January and March.
- Summer semester starts May/June.
As part of the Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetician and Manicuring programs, students are required to purchase/maintain their own kit with the tools and products needed to complete their training, a Milady textbook and CIMA online learning system, and a school uniform.
Purchase instructions will be provided at the mandatory Orientation meeting.
Tuition is FREE and the Kit/Books/Supplies/Uniform is $1,000-$1,850 (depending on the program). Purchase instructions will be provided at the mandatory Orientation meeting.
NOTE: This is a non-credit program and Financial Aid is NOT available.
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 barbers, manicurists, cosmetologists, and estheticians and others connected with the beauty industry. With some experience and additional training, licensed individuals are able to move into management and ownership positions, teaching, sales, the entertainment industry, and positions within 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 beauty school courses are taught off-campus at local beauty schools. The three sites where our programs are being offered are listed below.
23635 El Toro Road, Suites J-2 & K
Lake Forest, CA 92630
Phone: (949) 680-3888
Website: https://www.sababeautyschool.com
Email: sababeautyschool@yahoo.com
23565 Moulton Parkway, Suite B
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Phone: (949) 649-8222
Website: https://www.saddlebackbeautyacademy.com
Email: info@saddlebackbeautyacademy.com
2231 N. Tustin Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: (714) 547-5177
Website: https://saba-ca.com/index.php
Email: sabeautyacademy@yahoo.com