Cosmetology is a Diploma program offered by Lu Ross Academy in Ventura, CA. The program takes 1,250 clock hours, about 38 weeks full time or 58 weeks part time to complete, with a total tuition of $18,750.
Program Overview
Cosmetology, 1,250 hours. Lu Ross Academy's Cosmetology program covers all practices of cosmetology in 1,250 hours of practical training and technical instruction, with at least 450 hours of theory and about 800 practical hours. California requires 1,000 hours for a cosmetology license, and the academy is approved to teach 1,250, using the extra 250 hours for additional training in cutting, hair coloring, perming, skin care and makeup.
How it is taught. Lectures and demonstrations are followed by hands-on practice and evaluation, and students train in a salon and spa setting while serving clients.
What sets this Program apart
- 250 hours beyond the state minimum. The extra hours add training in cutting, hair coloring, perming, skin care and makeup.
- Wella education. Students attend regular workshops and seminars with Wella educators and artists.
- A 64-station salon floor. Cosmetology students train at 64 stations with shampoo bowls, dryers and manicuring areas.
- More than 70 years in Ventura. The school has trained beauty professionals in Ventura County since 1954.
Admission Requirements and Process
From touring the campus to securing financial aid and choosing your start date, our admissions team is here to guide you every step of the way toward your future in the beauty industry. Our admissions process is designed to be clear, supportive, and student-focused.
General Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalentA student admitted to Lu Ross Academy must possess a High School Diploma, General Educational Development Certificate (GED), or High School Proficiency Exam. Ability to Benefit…
- Diploma verificationThe Academy will verify the authenticity of the high school diploma prior to enrollment. If the diploma cannot be verified, the student may be asked to provide a final high school…
- Foreign diploma translationA prospective student who has a high school diploma from a foreign country must have the diploma translated by a qualified translator if necessary and have it notarized.
- Minimum age 18You must be at least 18 years old to enroll at Lu Ross Academy.
- English proficiencyAll classes are taught in English. Applicants are generally required to read and speak English at least at a 10th grade level.
- Physical capabilityA student must be physically capable of performing all required activities conducted at the school. Standing for prolonged periods of time can be a necessity for beauty education…
Application Process
- 1Tour the Lu Ross CampusVisit Lu Ross Academy and experience our professional salon facilities firsthand.
- 2Complete Enrollment PaperworkMeet with admissions to review and sign your enrollment agreement.
- 3Review Financial Aid Options and File the FAFSAExplore available financing, grants, and payment options. The first step to applying for federal financial aid is filling out your FAFSA.FAFSA Code for Ventura: 011866Fill Out the FAFSA
- 4Submit Registration FeeSecure your place in the program with your registration payment. Registration is $250.
- 5Schedule Your Start DateFinalize your class schedule and prepare to begin training.
Program Schedule
Program length. The 1,250-hour program takes about 38 weeks on the full-time day schedule or 58 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.
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
When you attend an accredited institution, you attend a school that has been independently evaluated for educational quality.
Lu Ross Academy is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS), which lists the in-person and hybrid distance education versions of its programs separately, and is approved to operate by California's Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. It is approved by the U.S. Department of Education for federal student aid.
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
Student Demographics
These are demographics for all students at the Ventura Campus (IPEDS, 2024).
Percentages are of total fall enrollment. 3 students whose race or ethnicity was not reported are included in that total but shown as no category, so the figures above come to 98.7% rather than 100%.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (1,250 hours) | $18,750 |
| Student kit, with eBook and textbook (non-refundable) | $2,500 |
| STRF | $0 |
| Total estimated charges | $21,250 |
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.
Curriculum
What the hours cover. The program follows the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology curriculum through lectures, demonstrations, hands-on practice and evaluation, shown below, with added instruction in salon business principles, professional ethics, record keeping, booth rental and independent contractor taxes, salesmanship and State Board exam review.
Grading and progress. Theory and practical work is graded A (90-100%), B (80-89%) or C (70-79%), and below 70% is unsatisfactory. Students keep a 70% written average, pass a final written and practical exam, and complete at least two comprehensive practical skills evaluations. Progress is checked at 450 hours (14 weeks), 900 hours (28 weeks) and 1,250 hours (38 weeks), and students must finish within 133% of the program length.
Graduation. Graduates keep a cumulative 70% average, complete all required hours and practical requirements, and settle their account or arrange payment, and they receive a diploma.
The required courses below are from Lu Ross Academy's published catalog.
Required Courses
| Name | Lecture | Lab | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairstyling Services | 80 | 220 | 300 |
| Chemical Hair Services | 80 | 220 | 300 |
| Skin Care | 70 | 105 | 175 |
| Hair Removal and Lash and Brow Beautification | 20 | 55 | 75 |
| Manicure and Pedicure | 70 | 130 | 200 |
| Disinfection and Sanitation | 30 | 70 | 100 |
| Health and Safety | 100 | 100 | |
| Totals | 450 | 800 | 1,250 |
Required Courses
| Name |
|---|
| Hairstyling Services |
| Chemical Hair Services |
| Skin Care |
| Hair Removal and Lash and Brow Beautification |
| Manicure and Pedicure |
| Disinfection and Sanitation |
| Health and Safety |
| Totals |
Career Outcomes
California licensure. The program prepares graduates for the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology cosmetology 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.
What to expect as a Lu Ross Academy student
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.