Barbering

The Associate of Science and the Certificate of Achievement in Barbering provide comprehensive preparation for careers in the modern grooming and personal‑services industry. Grounded in both the theory and practice of professional barbering, the program equips students with advanced technical skills in cutting, styling, shaving, beard design, fades, and textured‑hair care — competencies essential for serving the cultural and aesthetic diversity of today’s clientele. Students train in a supervised, salon‑like environment where they develop precision, sanitation expertise, and professional judgment aligned with the standards of the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

Beyond hands‑on mastery, the curriculum emphasizes the growing entrepreneurial nature of the field. Students explore foundational business concepts, including shop operations, client relations, retailing, and small‑business management, preparing them for both employment and self‑employment in an evolving industry shaped by independent contracting and personal branding.

The program also examines the cultural, historical, and community‑rooted significance of barbering as a profession, highlighting its longstanding role in social connection, economic empowerment, and service to communities of color. Through this lens, students gain awareness of the ethical, social, and professional expectations of a career that blends technical expertise with interpersonal care.

Upon completion, graduates are prepared to sit for the California state licensure examinations and to enter the workforce as skilled barbers, stylists, independent contractors, or future shop owners. With training that is inclusive, industry‑aligned, and responsive to regional labor‑market demand, the program positions students for long‑term career mobility in a high‑demand sector of the beauty and wellness economy.

This new program along with new courses will supplement the existing cosmetology program with an emphasis on barbering. Based on enrollment data conferred awards in related programs, the estimated completer projection of students to earn the award annually is 5 students.

There is currently no annual enrollment data for new courses: COSM 52L Fundamentals of Barbering, COSM 62L Intermediate Barbering, COSM 72L Intermediate-Advanced Barbering, and COSM 82L Advanced Barbering. These new courses are expected to be offered by the college at the earliest semester of Fall 2027.

San Diego City College’s Cosmetology Program prepares students professionally in several aspects of the barbering and beauty industry. We provide students with every opportunity to succeed in the training program and to increase the student’s opportunity for successfully passing the California State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering licensing exams. Our students receive the technical foundation in an environment that nurtures the true artist within to build their business skills and help them with networking and job placement in the industry.

The integration of theoretical principles and practical laboratory courses provides students with an authentic experience to gain and demonstrate skills that exceed job-market standards and preparation for the California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology licensure exam. Throughout the program, students benefit from critical, constructive feedback from faculty who not only meet qualifications for teaching at the community college level but also possess a state cosmetologist license and have salon, spa, and business experience in the field. Supervised practice begins on mannequin heads and hands and culminates with working on real-live models and clients in San Diego City College’s barber shop, salon, and spa. Students train with professional equipment and products and learn how to conduct effective client consultations to create extraordinary guest-service experiences. Upon successful completion of the Cosmetology Program, students are armed with a robust portfolio and professional resume that allows them to enter the job market with confidence.

A.S. DEGREE CATALOG DESCRIPTION

The Associate of Science Degree in Barbering provides students with practical and theoretical barbering training that prepares the student for the California Board of California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. Students completing this degree have a competitive edge over their private school counterparts. Students not only become competitive in the industry, they also forge a path for lifelong learning and advanced educational opportunities. It is strongly recommended that students consult with a counselor to determine which general education option is most appropriate for their individual educational goals.

A grade of “C” or better must be maintained in order to advance in the course sequence. The Cosmetology Department requires students to complete all required courses within seven years.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Apply barbering and/or cosmetology concepts, procedures and practices to successfully pass the State Board Examination.
• Practice safety, health, and sanitation procedures as set forth by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
• Utilize professional practice terminology and techniques as required by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology examination.
• Perform all practical applications required for the State board examination-State licensure.
• Explain basic barbering and/or cosmetology concepts, terms and definitions.
• Apply barbering and/or cosmetology products and procedures in providing services to clients.
• Pass the written license examinations administered by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

Career Options

Though this is not a comprehensive list, some of the most common career options with training in barbering include: barber, hairstylist, barbershop or salon owner, barbershop or salon coordinator, barbershop or salon manager, barbershop sales consultant, barbering instructor, photo and movie stylist, beauty product sales representative or distributor, beauty magazine writer, beauty magazine editor, barbering school owner, barbershop or salon franchisee, beauty care marketer, beauty care public relations specialist, beauty business consultant, influencer, and social media consultant.

CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT CATALOG DESCRIPTION

The Certificate of Achievement in Barbering provides students with practical and theoretical barbering training that prepares the student for the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. Students gain knowledge and hands-on skills in all aspects of the barbering industry under the supervision of trained professionals.

A grade of “C” or better must be maintained in order to advance in the course sequence. The Cosmetology Department requires students to complete all required courses within seven years.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Apply barbering and/or cosmetology concepts, procedures and practices to successfully pass the State Board Examination.
• Practice safety, health, and sanitation procedures as set forth by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
• Utilize professional practice terminology and techniques as required by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology examination.
• Perform all practical applications required for the State board examination-State licensure.
• Explain basic barbering and/or cosmetology concepts, terms and definitions.
• Apply barbering and/or cosmetology products and procedures in providing services to clients.
• Pass the written license examinations administered by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

Career Options

Though this is not a comprehensive list, some of the most common career options with training in barbering include: barber, hairstylist, barbershop or salon owner, barbershop or salon coordinator, barbershop or salon manager, barbershop sales consultant, barbering instructor, photo and movie stylist, beauty product sales representative or distributor, beauty magazine writer, beauty magazine editor, barbering school owner, barbershop or salon franchisee, beauty care marketer, beauty care public relations specialist, beauty business consultant, influencer, and social media consultant.

Need for Proposals

A dedicated barbering program advances the college’s mission to provide accessible, equitable career education that empowers students and strengthens the local workforce. Distinct from cosmetology, barbering prepares students with specialized skills in facial hair grooming, fades, shaves, and textured hair care, expertise essential to serving our region’s diverse communities. The program also equips students with entrepreneurship and small-business management skills, supporting pathways to economic mobility and ownership. By creating an inclusive training ground for future professionals, this program broadens career opportunities, celebrates cultural diversity, and meets the growing demand for skilled practitioners in the beauty industry.

Rationale for Proposed Programs

The establishment of a dedicated Barbering Certificate of Achievement and Associate Degree directly supports San Diego City College’s mission to advance accessible, equitable, and socially responsive career education. Barbering is a distinct discipline within the personal services sector, requiring specialized competencies in hair cutting, shaving, facial hair design, and textured‑hair care—skills essential to serving the cultural and ethnic diversity of San Diego’s urban core.

Labor‑market data and advisory board validation indicate a sustained regional demand for licensed barbers, driven by population growth, expanding barbershop enterprises, and increased consumer preference for specialized grooming services. The program’s emphasis on technical proficiency, customer service, and small‑business management aligns with the college’s commitment to economic mobility by preparing students for both employment and entrepreneurship in a field with accessible entry points and opportunities for self‑employment.

The program also advances SDCC’s equity and social‑justice commitments by creating pathways into a historically community‑rooted profession that has long served as a cultural anchor and economic engine within communities of color. By offering training that is culturally responsive, industry‑aligned, and financially attainable, the barbering program expands career options for students who have been disproportionately excluded from high‑wage, high‑growth sectors.

Overall, the proposed program strengthens the college’s role in meeting the evolving workforce needs of the region, broadens educational and economic opportunities for diverse learners, and reinforces SDCC’s mission to promote social justice, community empowerment, and economic advancement.

Justification for New Programs

The development of a Barbering Certificate of Achievement and Associate Degree is well‑justified based on regional workforce needs, industry validation, and the college’s mission to expand equitable career pathways. Labor‑market data for San Diego County indicates steady demand for licensed barbers, supported by approximately 1,761 annual openings and a consistent need for skilled practitioners in both independent and employer‑based settings. Advisory board members have confirmed that the prevailing wage aligns with the $26‑per‑hour living‑wage benchmark, reinforcing the program’s relevance and economic viability.

Although barbering is often grouped within broader cosmetology classifications, the specialized competencies required—particularly in textured‑hair care, shaving, fades, and facial‑hair design—are not fully captured in traditional labor‑market codes. As a result, regional supply is underestimated, and existing programs do not adequately meet the needs of San Diego’s culturally diverse communities. Establishing a dedicated barbering pathway addresses this gap by preparing students for a profession deeply rooted in community identity, cultural expression, and small‑business ownership.

The proposed program also advances SDCC’s equity and social‑justice commitments by creating accessible entry points into a field that has historically served as an economic anchor within communities of color. With strong opportunities for self‑employment, entrepreneurship, and upward mobility, barbering provides a viable pathway for students seeking immediate workforce entry and long‑term economic stability.

By offering a modernized, culturally responsive curriculum aligned with industry expectations, the new barbering awards strengthen the regional workforce, expand educational opportunities for underrepresented students, and ensure that SDCC continues to meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves.

Multiple letters of support/endorsement from advisory board members and industry professionals confirming demand and living wage salary were secured by the depertment. Letters of Support

1. Evidence-A
2. Evidence-B
3. Evidence-C
4. Evidence-D

ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION MEETING MINUTES

The June 13, 2024 SDCCD City College School of Cosmetology Advisory Board meeting brought together industry professionals, salon owners, barbers, and faculty to provide guidance on program development and workforce preparation. Throughout the discussion, advisory members consistently emphasized the growing importance of men’s grooming, the need for expanded education in clipper work, fades, shaves, beard care, and textured‑hair services, and the increasing demand for specialized barbering skills across the region.

In response to questions about industry trends and educational needs, multiple board members affirmed that a dedicated barbering curriculum would be highly advantageous for the local beauty community. Members highlighted gaps in current cosmetology training, noting that students require deeper instruction in men’s grooming techniques, tool proficiency, and client‑care practices specific to barbering. Several participants explicitly stated that a barbering program is needed to adequately prepare students for the evolving labor market and to meet rising consumer expectations.

Collectively, the advisory board expressed strong support for the development of new barbering programs at SDCCD City College. Their feedback confirms both the industry relevance and community value of establishing formal barbering pathways that align with workforce needs, expand student opportunities, and strengthen the region’s capacity to train skilled grooming professionals.

 Source: SDCCD City College School of Cosmetology Advisory Board Minutes 02-16-2026

Summary of units required for Associate of Science Degree

*Some courses may be applied to both major and general education requirements (i.e. “double counting”). Units associated with those courses are subtracted to arrive at an accurate calculation of total units required for the degree.

**Electives as needed to meet the minimum of 60 units required for the degree.