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There are 3 tracks in the PAC Cosmo program! 

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There are 3 tracks in the PAC Cosmo program! 

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Which path is for you...

Cosmetology Operator: Hair, Skin and Nails

Cosmetology Esthetician: Advanced Skincare

Nail Technician: Advanced Nails

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Tour Dates for Fall 2026 Semester

Fall 2026 semester is full.

Tour Dates for Spring 2027 Semester

Tour 1 – October 9, 2026 – Friday 2:15 p.m. – SJ 221

Tour 2 – October 16, 2026 – Friday 2:15 p.m. – SJ 221

Tour 3 – October 23, 2026 – Friday 2:15 p.m. – SJ 221

Tour 4 – November 6, 2026 – Friday 2:15 p.m. – SJ 221

The applications close when the classes fill. Any tours after the applications close will be for informational purposes only.

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Students must complete a Cosmetology Operator, Esthetician, or Nail Technician application to be considered for admission into a cosmetology program.

Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and remain open until the program is full.

All applications are reviewed by the Cosmetology Department.

Please note: Academic Advisors do not have access to the applications.

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Application (Fall Semester)

Application Acceptance Window:
First Friday in April or until filled, but no later than the first week of June. (NOTE: all spots are typically filled after the first tour!)

Application (Spring Semester)

Application Acceptance Window:
First Friday in October until filled, but no later than the second week in November. (NOTE: all spots are typically filled after the first tour!)

SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE!!!

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Applications are first-come, first-served.

Applications stay open until programs are full or until the posted deadline (NOTE: all spots are typically filled after the first tour).

Department review happens as soon as programs fill or by the scheduled review week.

Acceptance emails are sent to ACES email only.

Alternate lists are kept for both Fall and Spring.

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Cosmetology Operator, Cosmetology Esthetician, Nail Tech

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Application Opens: Friday, April 10th.

Closes: When full OR by early June (NOTE: all spots are typically filled after the first tour)

Deadline: First Friday in June at 5 p.m.

Department Review: First week of June (or earlier if full)

Notification Emails: First week of June (or earlier)

Student RSVP Deadline: Late June

Note: Nail Technician Certificate begins ONLY in Fall.

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Application Opens: First Friday in October

Closes: When full OR by early November

Deadline: First Friday in November at 5 p.m.

Department Review: Second week of November (or earlier if full)

Notification Emails: Third week of November (or earlier)

Student RSVP Deadline: Late November

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All 3 tracks for PAC cosmetology are only offered face to face.

All students must have taken the TSI placement exam.

The PAC cosmetology programs are cohort based.

Summer classes (in person) are mandatory for Operator and Esthetician programs; Nail Technicians do not have summer classes.

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Hello Cosmetology Students—Future and Present!

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Start Here: Meet Your Cosmetology Advising Team

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Start Here: Meet Your Cosmetology Advising Team

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Hello and welcome! We’re so excited that you’re considering the Cosmetology Operator, Esthetician, or Nail Technology Programs at Palo Alto College.

As your academic advisors, Mandy Martinez and Alyssa Forey, we’re here to support you every step of the way—from understanding the application process to preparing for your first day in the salon lab. Our goal is to help you feel confident, informed, and ready to begin your journey in this amazing, hands-on career field.

Whether you’re interested in hair, skincare, nails, or all of the above, you’re joining a community full of creativity, passion, and opportunity. We can’t wait to guide you through the process and see where your talent takes you!

Welcome to the start of something beautiful. ✂️✨

— Mandy & Alyssa,
Palo Alto College Advising Team

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📚 FALL 2026 ADVISING

Need Advising?

Academic Advising is now appointment-based for the Fall 2026 semester.

📅 Schedule an Advising Appointment

Meet with your assigned advisor for academic planning, registration assistance, degree plan questions, and other advising needs.

💻 In-Person & Virtual Appointments Available

⏰ Same-Day Appointments

May be available based on advisor availability. 1-hour advance notice is required.

🚫 No Drop-Ins

Drop-in advising is no longer available.

📍 Need Assistance?

Phone: 210-486-3300

Email: pac-advising@alamo.edu

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PAC : Current Students : Advising Centers | Alamo Colleges

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Our Certified Advisors offer integrated academic and career services, empowering diverse students to navigate their pathways and achieve goals, whether completing a certificate or degree or transitioning to the workforce.

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Need assistance? Stop by during Advising Drop-In hours!

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Advising Appointments will resume Fall 2026.

Must be scheduled 24-48 hours in advance via Navigate during non-drop-in times

Mandy's Direct Appointment Link:

https://alamocolleges.campus.eab.com/pal/WM5B1CxBy-

Alyssa's Direct Appointment Link: https://alamocolleges.campus.eab.com/pal/HwhD3jx5Cb

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Identifying Your Certified Advisor in ACES

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Identifying Your Certified Advisor in ACES

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Log in to ACES

Locate the ‘My Advisor’ card

Advisor information should appear

Note: Students are assigned advisors after registration and during the first 2 weeks of each semester/part of term.

If you do NOT see an advisor assigned – please contact Advising at 210-486-3300.

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Note: Check your account for any holds that may prevent registration. Only highlighted holds can be addressed through advising; others must be resolved with the respective departments. Non-advising holds must be cleared before meeting with advising to register.

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Associate of Applied Science (60 college credit hours required)

Cosmetology Esthetician

Cosmetology Operator

Level 2 Certificate (39 college credit hours required)

Cosmetology Operator

Level 1 Certificate

Cosmetology Esthetician Specialty (27 college credit hours required)

Cosmetology Nail Technician (18 college credit hours required)

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The direct link for the Cosmetology webpage is below.

You can find detailed information on the programs as well as contact information for staff:

https://www.alamo.edu/pac/academics/search-programs/professional-and-technical/cosmetology/

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Apply for admission to Palo Alto College.

Ensure all admissions requirements are met:

Take the TSI placement exam.

Submit Bacterial Meningitis shot record if applicable.

cannot be the online waiver - as all classes are in person!

Turn in all official transcripts (high school, college, university).

Attend New Student Orientation.

Meet with a cosmetology advisor in Academic Advising.

Ensure all holds have been cleared.

Attend a mandatory cosmetology tour.

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How to Apply to the Cosmetology Programs

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How to Apply to the Cosmetology Programs

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1. Apply to Palo Alto College

Submit your PAC admission application through ApplyTexas and complete all college requirements (transcript, meningitis shot if needed, ACES setup, etc.).

2. Attend a Cosmetology Information Session

Required for all applicants before submitting a program application.

3. Submit the Program Application

Complete the application for your program:

Cosmetology Operator

Esthetician

Nail Technician (Fall only)

First come, first served.
Applications stay open until the program is full.
Advisors do not have access to the applications.

4. Department Review

The Cosmetology Department reviews all applications.
Reviews occur early June (Fall) or mid-November (Spring).

5. Check Your ACES Email

If accepted, you will receive an acceptance email with next steps and a required RSVP deadline.

6. RSVP to Secure Your Spot

Students must confirm their acceptance by the deadline.
Spots not confirmed are given to alternates.

7. Meet With an Advisor

Once accepted, meet with Advising to review your pathway and get registered for your cosmetology block courses.

8. Apply for Your TDLR Student Permit

Required by the State of Texas before you can begin earning hours.

Let me know if you want a super-short, bullet-only version or a graphic layout!

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Operator courses will only be held during the day.

20-24 students are accepted every Fall & Spring semesters on a first come, first serve basis​.

​Once accepted into this program, students are committed for 4 straight semesters (including summers). ​

Courses are highly concentrated in hair topics (care, design/style, chemical processing and artistry) along with 1 nail course and 1 skin course. ​

Students are able to provide all services and pursue employment in hair, skin & nails​.

Complete 1,000 clock hours of required class and lab training

Take the written state exam after clock hours are completed

Take the practical state exam after passing the written exam

Apply for state licensure upon program completion and passing all required exams

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Esthetician courses will are held at different times of the day every semester. Students are required to confirm which cohort they are applying for (day or night) as they will be committed to this time period for the duration of their program​.

12 students are accepted every Fall & Spring semesters on a first come, first serve basis​.

Four-semester commitment required upon acceptance

Focused skin care training including facials, extractions, temporary hair removal, lashes, brow tinting, makeup, and foundational technology

Complete 750 clock hours of required class and lab training

Take the written state exam after completing clock hours

Take the practical state exam after passing the written exam

Apply for state licensure to begin employment

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Nail Tech courses: Evening-only classes, held 5 nights per week​.

16 students are accepted every Fall semester on a first come, first serve basis​.

Once accepted into this program, Two-semester commitment required (Fall & Spring).

Focused nail care training including manicures, pedicures, nail extensions, and nail art.

Prepare for employment providing full nail services in the nail care industry.

Complete 650 clock hours of required class and lab training.

Take the written state exam after completing clock hour.

Take the practical state exam after passing the written exam.

Apply for state licensure upon program completion and exam approval.

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The Barber Specialty Occupational Skills Award (OSA) is designed to prepare individuals to successfully pass the State Class A Barber License Exam. To be eligible to enroll in the Barber Specialty OSA, the following requirements must be met:

Must be at least 17 years of age.

Must have completed at least 700 contact hours in Cosmetology or Barbering courses.

Must successfully complete the TSI (Texas Success Initiative) exam. Texas law requires students to complete assessments in reading, writing, and mathematics before enrolling in college.

Must take a Cosmetology/Barber entry level exam (a computerized exam created by the Cosmetology faculty).

The Barber Specialty OSA provides 300 contact hours in barbering. On successful completion of the OSA, students meet the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration (TDLR) requirement of 1000 contact hours and are eligible to take the State Class A Barber License Exam.