Aesthetics

Program length. The 600-hour program takes about 20 weeks on the full-time day schedule or 30 weeks on the part-time evening schedule.

Class times. Full-time day classes run 33 hours a week, Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Part-time evening classes run 21.5 hours a week, Monday through Thursday from 5 to 9:30 p.m. and Friday from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Classes are in continuous session, and start dates are set in the catalog's class calendar addendum.

Attendance. Students keep at least 75% attendance, and at least 67% in the first evaluation period, when freshman skills are taught, or restart with the next class. Missing any day of the first week can mean restarting, all missed hours must be made up, and a student absent 14 days without an approved leave is terminated. A leave of absence for medical, military or family reasons, up to 60 days in 12 months, extends the contract. The academy closes for New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the Friday after, and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

A $250 non-refundable registration fee is charged in addition to the estimated charges. Transferred hours cost $1 each and a returned check $25, and hours beyond the expected graduation date plus a 10% grace period may be charged at the hourly rate.

Financial aid. Lu Ross Academy participates in Federal Pell Grants, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized and Parent PLUS loans for students who qualify. It is also a Workforce Investment Act training provider, is approved by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education for its Aesthetics, Barbering, Cosmetology and Manicuring certificate programs, and accepts MyCAA accounts for qualified military spouses. As an AACS member school its students can apply for scholarships such as the Beauty Changes Lives scholarship. Payment can be made by cash, card, money order, check, federal aid, VA, vocational rehabilitation, WIA or private financing.

Cancellation and refunds. Students can cancel until midnight of the fifth school day after the first day of class or the seventh day after enrollment, whichever is later, and receive a full refund within 30 days. After that, students who have completed 60% or less of the scheduled hours receive a pro rata refund, less a registration fee of up to $250 and any equipment received, and there is no refund after 60%. Refunds are paid within 45 days.

California licensure. The program prepares graduates for the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology esthetician licensing exam. Applicants for the state exam must be at least 17½, have completed at least the 10th grade and have a valid Social Security card, and the state may run a background check.

Placement assistance. Before graduation students receive an employment orientation covering interviews, professional appearance, resumes, cover letters, applications and job search skills. The academy helps with employment and recommendation letters, invites employers to interview students and present employment programs, contacts prospective employers and follows up on referrals, and graduates can return at any time for job leads. It does not guarantee placement or salary.

The Ventura campus. Lu Ross Academy's main building at 470 E. Thompson Blvd., a block from the 101 Freeway, has about 14,000 square feet with seven classrooms, a large skincare clinic, four clinic floor areas, a student lounge and offices. It has 64 cosmetology stations, aesthetics stations with six 8-in-one machines, microdermabrasion machines and steamers, and 18 professionally lit makeup stations.

A Wella Professionals Signature School. Founded in 1954 as Ventura Beauty School, Lu Ross Academy is a Wella Professionals Signature School, and cosmetology and barbering students join regular workshops and seminars with Wella educators and artists. In 2012 it started the first barbering program in Ventura County. All staff members act as advisors, and the administrator refers students to outside professional agencies when needed; the academy does not provide housing.