The Programs
For anyone. From anywhere.
Lead | ROLFS Global Institute, powered by L’Oréal has created an expedited higher education pathway for beauty professionals to earn their college and university degrees. For the first time ever, beauty professionals can earn an associate’s degree in two semesters and a bachelor’s degree in four semesters. This transformational program is the fastest and most cost-effective degree offered.
Your Lead Journey
Select the one that applies to you.
You will begin the Lead Degree Program by receiving up to 30 college credits against your beauty license. You will need an additional 30 credit hours to graduate with an Associate Degree.
Upon completion of your degree, you may apply to obtain your Bachelor’s degree.
Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Strategic Leadership for 60 Credits
Lead Journey
You will begin the Lead program by taking courses to complete 30 credit hours towards your Associate Degree. Upon obtaining your beauty license, you will receive an additional 30 college credits to officially graduate with your Associate degree.
Upon completion of your degree, you may apply to obtain your Bachelor’s degree.
Associate: Beauty and Wellness for 30 Credits
Up to 30 Credits from Your Beauty License
Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Strategic Leadership for 60 Credits
Lead Journey
You will begin the Lead program by taking courses, completing 60 credit hours to obtain your Associate Degree.
Upon completion of your degree, you may apply to obtain your Bachelor’s degree.
Associate: Beauty and Wellness for 60 Credits
Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Strategic Leadership for 60 Credits
Lead Journey
Beauty Meets Higher Education
Lead | ROLFS Global Institute
As an integrative part of the Associate and Bachelor’s degree pathway, Lead teaches innovative and modern courses for which you will receive college and university credits. With the focus on the future of beauty, Lead identifies, develops, and expands the knowledge for beauty professionals to reach their highest personal and professional potential. The Lead courses are designed to educate and empower beauty professionals to meet and exceed the ever-evolving demands of 21st-century customers and markets.
See Learning Outcomes
Inner Management Techniques Expertise to operate a Salon of the Future Characteristics of a Beauty Professional of the Future Transformational Leadership Development Understanding of the Evolution and Innovation of the Beauty Industry
Associate Degree
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Beauty and Wellness promotes progressive thinking skills and experiences to enhance personal growth and professional success, equipping you with the credentials needed to kickstart an exciting career in beauty. Students who complete this AAS have fundamental strategies to effectively and successfully implement innovative principles in the beauty industry to serve consumers.
See Learning Outcomes
Personal and Professional Financial Expertise Collaborative Interpersonal Attributes Critical Thinking Techniques Personal and Professional Health, Wellness, and Nutrition perception Mastery of Mindfulness
Bachelor's Degree
The Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Strategic Leadership provides students with an understanding of the principles of innovation, leadership, communication, psychology, ethics, science, finance, collaboration, and evidence-based decision making. Graduates will be prepared to transform, innovate, and elevate standards in the personal care industry that extend into the future.
See Learning Outcomes
Leadership Development in your Profession Knowledge and Capability to establish your own salon Transformational Innovation Mastery of Fashion and Art Technological Advancement in the Beauty Industry Advanced learning opportunities through our European Exchange Student Program
Unprecedented Acceleration
Apprenticeship
Lead is the only nationally accredited online and in-salon apprenticeship to beauty license program. A student can now earn their beauty license and college degree in as little as one year.
Lead Program Features
Online Courses
Year-Round Flexible Start Dates
Available in Both Full-Time and Part-Time
Flexible Financial Assistance and Scholarship Options
Study from the Comfort of Your Home, Anywhere in the World
Learn from Some of the Best Professors and Academic Leaders
Frequently Asked Questions
Lead has created a customized and innovative higher education pathway for all beauty professionals to have the next level of access to education globally. Lead, in partnership with the Maricopa college system, has created an innovative mechanism providing college credit against a beauty license, obtained nationally or internationally.
For the first time ever, beauticians can earn an associate degree in Beauty and Wellness in the most cost effective and fastest way possible. Depending on the level of your current beauty license, you will receive the following amount of college credits:
Cosmetology – 30 credits
Hairstylist – 20 credits
Aesthetician – 12 credits
Nail Technician – 12 credits
Massage Therapist – 14 credits
Barber – 20 credits
You may submit previous college transcripts to be evaluated for transferability at MCC and ASU. Any accepted transfer credits will be applied towards your degree, enabling you to graduate even faster and more cost effectively.
The Lead journey is a customized pathway to earn your higher education degree in the most cost and time effective way, obtaining your associate degree in approximately one academic year and your bachelor degree in approximately two academic years. The timing of the program can be totally customized by choosing to enroll into a full time or part time schedule.
You will enjoy a customized journey with hand selected and textualized courses at MCC and ASU as you are taking classes with Lead. Here is a peak into some of the courses you will be taking:
Salon of the Future
Beauty Professional of the Future
Evolution of the Beauty Industry
Communication
Business Management
Entrepreneurship
Systems Thinking
Art
Mindfulness
Marketing
And More!
You will enjoy Lead’s customized pathway with a community of beauty professionals from around the world. Lead cohort community consists of everyone who loves the beauty industry and wishes to be engaged in the beauty space at any capacity. Lead cohort classes consist of licensed and non-license beauty professionals, beauty entrepreneurs, beauty marketers, beauty managers, and beyond. Lead cohort classes invite collaboration amongst all beauty professionals, supporting each other and collectively experiencing growth, transformation, ultimate success, fulfillment, and immense joy.
There are several financial aid opportunities available throughout the program:
Once you complete your Lead application you will be able to apply for Lead scholarships.
You will have the opportunity to complete a portion of your bachelor degree journey in Europe to gain a more global experience and knowledge.
Lead is a whole new era in beauty, creating generational transformation worldwide. Our customized pathway is focused on creating well-rounded, impactful and highly successful beauty professionals who can enjoy a wide range of career opportunities in the beauty industry. Lead assists and supports graduates in all areas of beauty career opportunities worldwide, such as.
Marketing
Management
Education
Entrepreneurship
Beauty Professional of the Future
And so many more
Ready to step into the future?
Applications for Fall 2026 are currently open. Apply by March 31st for priority review.
International Beauty License Evaluation
With its commitment to global beauty education transformation, Lead | ROLFS Global Institute is proud to support internationally trained beauty professionals seeking a higher education degree in the United States.
In partnership with Arizona International Credential Evaluators (AZICE) and Mesa Community College (MCC), Lead provides a professional evaluation of international beauty training and credentials to help determine college credit toward the MCC Beauty & Wellness AAS degree.
Arizona International Credential Evaluators (AZICE)Applicants first complete AZICE’s Barbering and Cosmetology Evaluation.AZICE verifies documents, evaluates international training hours, curriculum, and licensure, and issues an official evaluation.
Lead | ROLFS Global Institute Professional ReviewOnce AZICE completes the evaluation, Lead receives a copy and assigns it to its license evaluation board. Lead reviews the training background and prepares a written recommendation identifying the level of beauty licensure equivalency that aligns with the applicant’s international training. Lead sends this professional review to MCC and the applicant.
Mesa Community College Final Credit ReviewMCC faculty review both the AZICE evaluation and the Lead recommendation and make the official determination of whether college credit can be awarded. This service is designed to support transparency, quality, and consistency in the credit evaluation process and aligns with Higher Learning Commission policy permitting academic institutions to rely on evaluations performed by responsible third-party organizations.
MCC reserves the right to make the final decision based on faculty review and institutional policy.
For a complete description of the process, including fees and timelines, please review the MCC PLA for International Beauty Industry Training and Credentials document.