Esthetician

Four schedules. Full-time days run Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (35 hours a week) and part-time days from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (30 hours). Part-time nights run Tuesday through Friday from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. (20 hours), and nights plus Saturday add 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday (27 hours). A Monday-through-Friday schedule may be available on a limited basis.

Course length. With perfect attendance, Esthetician takes about 4½ months on full-time days, 5 months on part-time days, 7½ months on part-time nights and 5¾ months with Saturdays added.

Start dates. Day classes typically start on the second Tuesday of the month, with starts listed on October 13, November 10 and December 8, 2026, and January 12, 2027. The evening class starts every other month, next on October 13 and December 8, 2026.

Attendance and leaves. Morning theory begins at 8:30 a.m., and every enrollment agreement includes a 10% grace period for absences. Hours still needed after the contract date are charged at the course's hourly rate, and a student absent 14 days without an approved leave is withdrawn. A leave of absence of at least one school week may be approved for emergencies such as illness, family medical needs, a death in the family, childcare, work or court, with all leaves together capped at 90 calendar days. The school closes on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Other charges include an optional Apple iPad ($349), the $115 state license fee paid to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and $35 for each transcript after the first.

Financial aid. Career Academy of Beauty participates in Federal Pell Grants, Federal SEOG and Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized and Parent PLUS loans for students who qualify, and it is approved for veterans' education benefits. Its FAFSA school code is 013914.

Paying for school. Payments are due on the first of each month under the enrollment agreement, a $15 late fee applies after the 25th, and balances must be paid by graduation. The school accepts cash, checks, cashier's checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and Apple Pay at the school, and card payments on its website.

Cancellation and refunds. A student can cancel in writing and receive 100% of the amount paid, less the $125 enrollment fee, through the first class session or the seventh day after enrolling, whichever is later. After that, students who have completed 60% or less of the period of attendance receive a pro rata refund based on scheduled hours, and there is no refund after 60%. The enrollment fee and the kit, books and supplies issued are not refundable after the cancellation period, and refunds are paid within 45 days.

Careers. Esthetician graduates work as skin care and waxing specialists, makeup artists, makeup artists for TV and screen, salon and spa coordinators, beauty product representatives, industry educators and spa owners.

Job placement help. The school offers placement assistance to its graduates for life. Salon owners, stylists and other licensed professionals come in to teach advanced classes, attend school events and judge student competitions, and career counseling covers business training, resume design and one-on-one coaching. Employment is not guaranteed.

The Garden Grove campus. Career Academy of Beauty occupies a 10,000-square-foot space in a retail center at Valley View and Lampson in Orange County. It has separate areas for cosmetology, barbering, esthetics and manicuring, five classrooms with large smart TVs, a student break room, a clinic floor with 58 client stations for senior cosmetology students, a separate esthetics clinic and a beauty supply store stocked with professional brands.

Student life. Students wear a CAofB T-shirt from their kit or their own black top with black pants, leggings, jeans or a skirt, and closed-toe, closed-heel shoes in black, white or red, and they clock in electronically each day. Students can add an iPad to their kit or bring their own tablet or laptop for class pages, study guides and theory notes. On graduation day graduates can enjoy beauty services at personal service prices, and friends and family are invited to a celebration on campus.