Salon Pros: Earn A First-Ever College Degree In Wellness & Beauty

New Higher Education Program Created Exclusively For Beauty Pros

Having trouble choosing between beauty school and college? Now, beauty pros can earn a first-ever degree in Wellness and Beauty. ROLFS Global Salons teamed up with L’Orèal Professional Products, Mesa Community College (MCC) and Arizona State University (ASU) to develop the first-ever higher education program exclusively for salon pros. Keep reading to learn more about the program, how it was developed, what students can expect, cost of tuition and more!

Program Details: How To Take Your Education To The Next Level 

Immediately following cosmetology school, students can enroll at MCC to earn an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Beauty and Wellness, which can be completed over the course of just two semesters. This degree will teach skills in finance, marketing and communication as well as critical thinking and organizational leadership, empowering newly licensed cosmetologists to elevate their careers.

Watch the video below to learn more about earning an associate’s degree from Mesa Community College!

After earning their AAS, students then have access to continue their education at ASU and earn a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree in Health, Entrepreneurship and Innovation with an emphasis on personal care. (They will be able to transfer 100 percent of the 60 AAS credits obtained at MCC.) The student will then fulfill an additional 60 credit hours, which can typically be accomplished in four semesters.

“We have developed an accelerated program in which students can earn their degrees in half the time, with an AAS taking one year and a BAS taking two years. This is the fastest, most cost-effective and transformational degree ever offered,” says Francis Tesmer, CEO and partner of ROLFS Global.

This pioneering degree progression is designed to create an elevated future filled with prestige and financial stability for the 1.7 million beauty professionals, preparing them for a wide range of career opportunities that meet, and exceed, the ever-evolving expectations of 21st century customers and markets.

The Cost Of Tuition

Available online and/or on campus (or a hybrid of the two), online tuition is the same for in-state, out-of-state and international students. Here’s a look at the cost of tuition per semester:

• Mesa Community College
  • Full-time per semester cost approximately: $2,400 to $3,500 
  • Part-time per semester cost approximately: $1,200 to $1,750

• Arizona State University
  • Full-time per semester cost approximately: $9,420 
  • Part-time per semester cost approximately: $4,710 

Note: As a licensed beauty professional, you can receive up to 31 credits at no cost toward your 60 to 68 credit associate’s degree by submitting the Prior Learning Assessment dynamic form for the Beauty and Wellness program at MCC. 

Students are eligible for government grants, and ROLFS Global as well as MCC and ASU do offer full and/or partial scholarships. ROLFS Global recently awarded the program’s first full-ride scholarships for 12 cosmetologists to complete their associate and bachelor’s degrees, which totals an investment of more than $516,000. 

The History Behind The Program

In collaboration with a team of academics and higher education specialists, Francis spent the past 11 years conceptualizing and developing the program from the ROLFS headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz., where the brand operates leading salons in the Phoenix-metro area.

“This is the time for beauty to meet humanity,” says Francis. “Our over $500 billion dollar essential and powerful industry has the highest obligation to positively impact the world and humanity collectively in a time when we need it the most. We are responding to this historic calling by empowering our workforce through higher education, which will enable them to embrace a much bigger and more transformative role in the world.”

Francis also enlisted the support of L’Oréal USA’s Professional Products Division (PPD) to provide additional opportunities for students enrolled in the program. By leveraging the company’s vast salon, artist, educator and vendor networks, L’Oréal USA PPD has committed to providing industry-oriented curriculum support and education content, experts for guest lecturers and speaking engagements, as well as mentorship, apprenticeship and other education and career advancement opportunities.

“I applaud Francis Tesmer and ROLFS Global for their vision and commitment to make this higher education pathway a reality for the next generation of beauty professionals,” says David Greenberg, Group President of L’Oréal USA’s Professional Products Division. “This is the right time for this program, and I hope that other institutions of higher learning across the United States will embrace this pioneering model which will create new opportunities for professionals within this critically important sector of the economy.”

“Supporting a collegiate degree that enables individuals with a passion for beauty to pursue a career within and beyond the salon—studying business management, entrepreneurship, digital marketing, wellness, ethics and more—symbolizes L’Oréal’s long-standing commitment to the industry, helping to pave the way for the next generation of beauty innovators and hairdressing talents,” adds David.

Along with its academic partners, ROLFS Global is currently working to scale this program nationally.

For more information, visit rolfssalon.com/thirdspaceinstitute.