Which California Beauty Schools Have Make-Up Artist Programs?

Whether you want to earn licensure in cosmetology or just take courses in make-up artistry to enhance your skills, you will find programs to meet your needs. You can learn about course requirements and the educational commitment you will make to enroll in a make-up artistry program in California.

What You Need to Know

Make-up artistry programs throughout California may be found in both 2-year school and 4-year university settings. A cosmetology certificate including make-up training may be completed in 15 weeks to 13 months, depending on whether you desire cosmetology licensing not required for make-up artists. You could also learn make-up application skills in short sessions composed of 6 evenings each. If you're interested in a bachelor's degree and learning the skills of theatrical make-up, you could earn a 4-year degree in theatre arts where you could learn basic and advanced skills, including facial prosthetics. Explore the following summaries to pick a program that appeals to you.

Make-Up Artist Certificate Programs in California

Downey Adult School

You learn about skin care, undertone matching, make-up, highlighting and facial contouring. You also are provided with instruction in casualty and theatre make-up. The program includes training in how to market yourself, create a portfolio and get a job.

• Program Name: Certificate in Cosmetology
• Program Length: Fifteen weeks (360 hours) full-time
• Tuition and Fees: Specific program fees not available
• School Type: 2-year, public (about 652 undergraduates)

Los Angeles City College

In the beginning course, you learn about eye make-up, highlighting and shading. One day is a lab day in which you can work on a model (you must supply your own model) and talk with the instructor. In the advanced course, you learn how to create day and evening looks and haute couture make-up for editorial and photographic purposes. The advanced program also includes a lab day. Two other courses included in the advanced program are bridal make-up and portfolio building.

• Program Name: Award of Completion Make-Up Artistry
• Field of Study Options: Beginning and advanced
• Program Length: Each option is six days part-time (evenings)
• Tuition and Fees: $1,220 per year for residents; $7,746 per year for non-residents (2018-2019)
• School Type: 2-year, public (about 13,909 undergraduates)

Santa Barbara City College

You must complete 1,800 hours of applied preparation through lab experiences and lectures. The program covers basic, advanced and salon make-up and facials, along with corrective make-up. In the first ten weeks of the program, you learn the basics. If you are successful in this phase of the program, you take theory classes for one hour in the morning and spend the rest of the day working on clients in the clinic.

• Program Name: Cosmetology Certificate
• Program Length: 13 months full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $1,374 per year for residents; $8,326 per year for non-residents (2018-2019)
• School Type: 2-year, public (about 14,646 undergraduates)

Make-Up Artistry Bachelor's Courses in California

California State University - Los Angeles

This bachelor's program includes courses in basic and advanced theatrical make-up. You learn fundamental skills and concepts of make-up used for cinema, TV and stage. Topics covered include corrective and straight make-up, facial prosthetics and facial hair pieces. The advanced course covers creating and applying latex and polyurethane, as well as wax dental prosthetics.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts and Dance
• Field of Study Options: Theatre arts; dance
• Program Length: Four years full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $6,749 per year for residents; $18,629 per year for non-residents (2018-2019)
• School Type: 4-year, public (about 28,036 total student population with about 24,223 undergraduates)

In California, you can find certificate programs in make-up artistry and even a bachelor's degree program. Downey Adult School, Los Angeles City College and Santa Barbara City College all offer certificate programs; and California State University, Los Angeles campus, offers a bachelor's degree in theatre arts that includes coursework in theatrical make-up.