Class A Barber is a Certificate program offered by The Barber Education Academy in Laredo, TX. IPEDS 2023-24 completions: certificates (CIP 12.0402). IPEDS counts certificates and diplomas together; the academy names no award. The program takes 1,000 clock hours — about 8 months full time or 12 months part time to complete, with a total tuition of $8,211.
Program Overview
Class A Barber Program, 1,000 hours. During the 1,000 hour in depth practices course, students at TBEA will aspire to become well educated licensed barbers. Upon completion, students will be prepared to pass the state board exam, both written and practical. Through the journey of the course they will learn barbering principles, barber laws and rules, and common safe practices. Full time the program takes 8 months; part time, 12 months.
Purpose. The Barber Education Academy is committed to prepare each student for professional and personal success in an ever-changing and dynamic industry by creating opportunities for every student to excel in the barber and beauty trade. Its goal is to ensure all students pass the state board exam and graduate with pride and confidence to reach and surpass all their career goals.
About the academy. The Barber Education Academy is a barber school in Laredo, Texas, licensed by TDLR. Its comprehensive curriculum features a blend of traditional techniques and modern trends, covering basic barbering skills, advanced cutting techniques, grooming and skincare, and business and marketing, so that students are prepared for the evolving demands of the industry. No prior experience is needed.
What sets this Program apart
Hands-on training with real clients. The academy caters to a high volume of men, children, and senior citizens, so students gain plenty of hands-on experience working with real clients, specializing in men’s grooming, "TBEA The Barber Way".
Comprehensive curriculum. From classic barbering techniques to modern trends and styles, students gain the skills to perform haircuts, shaves, and other grooming services with precision and artistry, whether they aspire to work in a barber shop or start their own.
Flexible schedule. Full-time and part-time scheduling options, and a hybrid option: after the first 500 hours in person, eligible students may complete the remaining 500 hours in an approved hybrid format combining online and in person instruction.
Recognised locally. Voted Laredo’s Best Vocational School in the Laredo Morning Times Readers’ Choice Awards, two years in a row (2025 and 2026).
Admission Requirements and Process
Who may enroll. Applicants must be at least 17 years of age and provide a National Identification, Military Discharge Identification, or State of Texas Identification, a Social Security card, and a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.
The process. Applicants submit an application and attend a required interview with administrative staff at The Barber Education Academy, and provide 2 passport size pictures and 2 contact references. Prospective students are invited to tour the facility, meet the instructors and explore the hands on training environment before enrolling.
Transferring cosmetology hours. Students who attended cosmetology school but did not finish may have their previous training hours qualify for transfer to The Barber Education Academy, subject to verification and applicable requirements.
General Requirements
- Minimum ageBe at least 17 years of age.
- IdentificationProvide a National Identification, Military Discharge Identification, or a State of Texas Identification.
- Social Security cardProvide your Social Security card.
- High school diploma or GEDProvide a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.
- Application and interviewSubmit an application and attend the required interview with administrative staff at The Barber Education Academy.
- PhotographsProvide 2 passport size pictures.
- ReferencesProvide 2 contact references.
Application Process
- 1Request informationComplete the online interest form and the admissions team will help you with enrollment requirements, class schedules, tuition, and financial aid options for those who qualify.
- 2Tour the schoolTour the facility, meet the instructors, explore the hands on training environment, and learn about the barber program, tuition, schedules, and financial aid options.
- 3Attend the admissions interviewEvery applicant attends the required interview with administrative staff and completes the admissions process.
- 4Provide your documentsBring identification, your Social Security card, a high school diploma or GED, 2 passport size pictures and the names of 2 references.
- 5Apply for financial aidComplete the most recent year’s FAFSA at studentaid.gov with school code 043047; processing takes approximately two weeks.
Program Schedule
Length. The 1,000 hour Class A Barber Program takes 8 months full time and 12 months part time; depending on the enrollment schedule and attendance it may be completed in approximately 8 to 11 months.
Days and hours. Classes are held Tuesday through Friday, with in person training from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. The student barbershop serves the public Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Hybrid option. Students must complete their first 500 hours of training in person. After completing those hours, eligible students may complete the remaining 500 hours through the approved hybrid learning format, which combines online and in person instruction.
Start dates. The academy offers new class starts throughout the year; the next class starts November 16, 2026.
Required Courses
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Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Attending an accredited school means its training has been reviewed against independent standards that protect students.
This school: The Barber Education Academy is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Reviewed against independent standards
- Recognized by employers and licensing boards
Accreditations
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Published cost. The 1,000 hour Class A Barber Program has a total published cost of $10,000:
- Tuition: $8,211
- Books and kit: $1,689
- Application fee: $100
- Total: $10,000
Tuition promotion. Eligible students who qualify for sufficient financial aid may have remaining payments as low as $160 per month or $80 every two weeks, subject to eligibility and their individual financial aid package; the payment amount is not guaranteed.
Federal Pell Grant. The Barber Education Academy is approved as an eligible institution by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in Title IV. The Federal Pell Grant is intended to be the basis of the financial aid package and may be combined with other aid to meet the full cost of attendance; it is need based aid that an eligible recipient does not have to repay.
How to apply. Complete the most recent year’s FAFSA at studentaid.gov using school code 043047; it takes approximately two weeks for financial aid to be processed by the U.S. Department of Education. Students selected for verification complete the Independent or Dependent Student Verification forms, and all conflicting information must be resolved before any Title IV funds can be disbursed.
Veterans. The academy accepts VA benefits: the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30 and Chapter 1606), Post 9/11, Reserve Educational Assistance (REAP, Chapter 1607), Survivors and Dependents Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35), and Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA).
Graduation. To graduate, students must pay their tuition balance in full, meet all the academic requirements, and complete all the required hours for the program.
Curriculum
Contents. 150 hours of basics, 750 hours of practice and 100 hours of business, for a total of 1,000 hours, listed in the table below.
Textbook. Theory is taught from Milady Standard Barbering, 6th Edition, through chapter by chapter lesson plans with power point slides, photos and illustrations from the textbook.
Required Courses
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Career Outcomes
Licensure. Upon completion of the course, students are eligible to take the State Board Barber Exam, written and practical, in order to receive a Class A Barber License.
Completion and placement. The academy’s Completion and Placement Report for the Class A Barber Program: completion 100%, placement 100%.
Career placement assistance. The academy’s Career Services team is dedicated to helping graduates find their dream job after graduation, offering job placement assistance, resume building workshops, and more, whether they aspire to work in a barber shop or start their own.
Mission and vision. The mission of The Barber Education Academy is to motivate its students by creating and maintaining a student centered occupational environment which culminates in gainful employment, and it aims to be recognized as a premier occupational institution where students meet the dynamic employment needs of the barbering industry.
What to expect as a The Barber Education Academy student
How you learn. Instruction may be taught through activities involving group dynamics, projects, guest speakers, hair shows, and community events, with a high level of training and mentoring from field experienced instructors.
Grading. A student’s overall grade is determined by a percentage scale and calculated on a monthly basis: the sum of the test grades divided by the number of tests. Students may make up failed or missed tests and incomplete assignments within a one-week deadline, and some tests require classroom or practical participation to receive a grade.
The student barbershop. All services in the school’s barbershop are rendered by student barbers under the supervision of a field experienced barber instructor: men’s and children’s haircuts, straight razor shaves, beard trims, facials, eyebrow shaping and waxing, hair color, permanent waves and men’s manicures.
Community. Through its non-profit TBEA Community, the academy provides free haircuts, promotes health and sanitation procedures, and demonstrates self-grooming techniques at community events.