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)

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.

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.

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.

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!)

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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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.