A Revolution is Happening!

A powerful, exciting educational transformation is about to take place in the beauty industry. Starting fall 2020, Mesa Community College, in partnership with the iconic beauty house of L’Oreal and Arizona’s legendary Rolfs Salons of the Future, will be offering the first-ever college degree designed to help you deliver innovative, intelligent client beauty experiences while offering the knowledge for you to earn the financial rewards your talent deserves.

If you already have your cosmetology license and if you can answer yes to any of these questions then you are ready to be a part of the movement that will redefine the beauty industry in a profound way:
- Are you ready to be the beauty professional of tomorrow?
- Are you ready to enjoy a promising and exciting new future?
- Are you ready to take your beauty career to the next level?
- Are you ready to amplify your importance and impact in the industry?
- Do you want to thrive and enjoy career longevity and financial stability?
Magnify Your Beauty Career
The Associate in Science in Beauty and Wellness degree is focused on preparing beauty professionals to succeed and thrive in today’s global market. This revolutionary, online program builds knowledge and offers skills in finance, marketing and communication as well as critical thinking and organizational leadership, empowering you to elevate and expand your career in areas such as film, music, retail, manufacturing, fashion, hospitality, marketing, digital media, product development, management, sales and more.
Earning an associate's degree and a bachelor's degree with a foundation in cosmetology could open up so many more career opportunities in beauty, and at a higher sustainable income. As an example, many L'Oreal senior executives who started with a cosmetology license, went on to earn their bachelor's degree and are now earning between $100,000 - $300,000 per year. At Rolf's Salons there are designers, colorists, salon managers, business development managers and executives earning between $50,000 and $150,000 per year.
Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) - Personal Care Emphasis Career Pathway
As a licensed beauty professional, you can receive up to 31credits at no cost toward your 60-68 credit associate’s degree by enrolling as an MCC student and submitting the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) dynamic form for the Beauty and Wellness program. If you choose to continue with your Beauty and Wellness education, after earning your associate’s degree at MCC, you may follow a transfer pathway to Arizona State University to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) - Personal Care Emphasis. All classes are available online, so you can work while earning your degree. Learn and study on your own time, which is anytime that’s convenient for you.


Don’t pass up this opportunity to take your passion and skills to the next level. This pioneering degree will empower you to redefine, reshape, and transform the industry, delivering elevated, innovative, and progressive consumer-centric beauty experiences. It is time for you to be recognized as a powerful and positive force transforming lives by creating confidence and positive self-image beauty in the world. Enjoy a promising and exciting new future!
Become a Student
To pursue this program of study:
- Go to Step 1: Getting Admitted and start the Maricopa Online Admissions Application.
- When completing the Admissions Application, choose the following options to enroll in this program:
- Primary College: Mesa Community College
- Field of Interest: Business, Entrepreneurism, and Management
- Primary reason for attending this college: Get an Associate's Degree
- Select a plan most aligned with your career and educational goals: Beauty and Wellness (DEG)
- Complete Step 2: Placement Options
- Complete the PLA form to receive college credit.
- Meet with an Academic Advisor to review your PLA credits, as well as any other college credit you may have, and plan your course schedule. To schedule a meeting with Academic Advising:
- Select an available date
- Choose All Moderators
- Select Business, Entrepreneurism, and Management
- Complete any remaining Enrollment Steps.
Are you an MCC student already?
- Complete the PLA form to receive college credit.
- Meet with an Academic Advisor to review your PLA credits, as well as any other college credit you may have, and plan your course schedule. To schedule a meeting with Academic Advising:
- Select an available date
- Choose All Moderators
- Select Business, Entrepreneurism, and Management
Frequently Asked Questions
You have questions, we have answers!
- Do I have to go through Rolfs or L’Oreal to get into this program?
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While ROLFS Global inspired the development of this program, in partnership with MCC and ASU, you do not need to go through ROLFS or L’Oréal to get into this program. This program is available to any interested student who has obtained or is pursuing a cosmetology, hairstylist or aesthetician license.
ROLFS offers pre-college courses including advanced technical training and internships for which you will receive college credit hours through a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) agreement with MCC towards your beauty and wellness degree. Receiving college credit for corporate training requires a small, one-time fee of $40 for all approved credits through the partnership.
For more information about ROLFS Pre College training, please contact Makenna Northern mnorthern@rolfsglobal.com or go to https://rolfssalon.com/thirdspaceinstitute/
- I am trying to make a decision, and I want to get a full understanding of this degree, its background, its history and the opportunities this can bring to me. Who do I contact to get that complete, holistic understanding of this program and how it will impact my career and job opportunities?
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ROLFS Educational Department holds two video conference calls (Zoom Meetings) a week where you can get more information and get all of your questions answered. Please complete the form by going to https://rolfssalon.com/thirdspaceinstitute/ to receive a meeting invitation.
- Can I get my cosmetology, hairstylist or aesthetician license from MCC?
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MCC does not offer cosmetology, hairstylist or aesthetician courses at this time.
Students may obtain training to become licensed from the beauty school of their choice.
- East Valley high school students can attend technical training at EVIT.
- West Valley high school students can find similar training at West-MEC.
- Adult students can find technical training at GWCC through their Cosmetology clock hour program.
Upon completion of technical training in a beauty program and gaining licensure, MCC is the next step to advance careers in the Beauty Industry. Remember, MCC does not award credit for the classes themselves. Prior learning credit can only be awarded to students who have received a cosmetologist, hairstylist or aesthetician’s license.
- I have partially completed my cosmetology, hairstylist or aesthetician license; can I still get credit for the classes I have taken?
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Prior learning credit can only be awarded to students who have a valid cosmetology, hairstylist or aesthetician license. MCC cannot award partial credit for programs that have not been completed. Students may begin taking courses at MCC prior to receiving a license but credit cannot be awarded and the degree will not be conferred until the student has provided proof of licensure.
- What if I have a cosmetology, hairstylist or aesthetician license and have already taken some college courses?
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In this case, please contact Carie Allen – carie.allen@mesacc.edu and send the courses you have already taken which will be evaluated for transferability.
- How do I get credit for my cosmetology, hairstylist or aesthetician license?
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The college uses Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) to award up to 31 credits at no cost toward your Beauty and Wellness AAS degree. MCC currently awards PLA credit for cosmetologist, hairstylist, and aesthetician licenses. We do not have plans to add PLA for nail technicians at this time.
Please note, in order to access and complete the PLA form, you must be an MCC student and have an MEID.
- Does it matter how long ago I have obtained my license?
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No. As long as you have an active cosmetology, hairstylist or aesthetician license in good standing, it does not matter when you obtained it.
- What is the tuition for the program? How much does it cost?
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Students residing outside the state of Arizona pay $241 per credit hour for online courses.
In most cases, residents residing in the State of Arizona for 12 months or more pay $85 per credit hour. The total cost of the program depends upon the required number of courses the student has to take. To obtain their AAS degree, students with no other college credit and a:
- Cosmetology license may need as few as 29 additional credit hours.
- Hairstylist license may need as few as 41 additional credit hours.
- Aesthetician license may need as few as 48 additional credit hours.
- Can I get a scholarship to this program?
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Information regarding scholarships at MCC is available through the Financial Aid Office or MCC Scholarship Page.
Our partner, ROLFS Global, is also offering scholarships for all or part of the program. Please contact their Higher Education Manager, Makenna Northern at mnorthern@rolfsglobal.com for more information.
- Can I use FAFSA to get the degree?
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Yes. Students can use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other forms of financial aid to pay for classes taken at MCC toward the AAS in Beauty and Wellness degree.
- Are the classes for the degree available online?
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Yes. Students can complete the required courses for the degree online. Some instructors for online classes will require regular virtual class meetings. Dates and times of those online class meetings will be available to the student in the class schedule prior to registration.
- How does the transfer of the AAS degree to ASU work?
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After earning the AAS, the student then has access to a continued pathway at Arizona State University (ASU) where he or she can transfer 100% of the 60 AAS credit hours earned. The student will then fulfill an additional 60 credit hours (typically accomplished in four semesters) to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree program in Heath, Entrepreneurship and Innovation with an emphasis on personal care.
Please contact Brenna Tonelli – asubrennatonelli@asu.edu or visit https://nursingandhealth.asu.edu/programs/bas/personal-care for further information regarding the requirements for ASU’s BAS degree.
Rolf's Third Space Institute
As part of Rolf's commitment to creating and supporting higher education for the beauty professionals of the future, Rolf's offers pre-college courses to prepare the students for ultimate success as they pursue their higher education pathway.

Make it Happen at MCC
MCC offers an affordable, quality education and provides students free services such as tutoring, advising, career counseling, library assistance and more to help you succeed. An academic advisor is available to you to help you schedule classes, develop an academic plan, refer you to college resources, navigate procedures and serve as a support throughout your journey.
Take Your Next Step with MCC
Students are drawn to MCC for a number of reasons. But it’s the quality of our instruction that makes MCC a true value—and the best college experience no matter where you’re starting from or where you’re headed.
** AZ Board of Regents-AZ University System Board-Approved 2015-16 Base Tuition & Mandatory Fee Report.
*** Mesa Community College Institutional Effectiveness 2016.
Become a Student
Higher education is the most powerful driver to transform the beauty professional career and create opportunities never imagined before. Don't wait any longer. Take the first step to transform your career.