Nail Technology

This is a program of study in natural nail care and artificial nail enhancement application. The minimum length of the program is 350 clock hours. The program length for the Day Schedule is 10 weeks. Bellus Academy is a Creative Nail Design (CND) Partner School. Bellus Academy nail technology students are trained using the Bellus system of education, which utilizes verbal, written, visual and hands-on instruction throughout the classroom and clinic floor practicum. Students are trained on how to market themselves, the services they provide and the products they use so that they can be successful in this exciting and ever-growing career. Each student will have the opportunity to practice their techniques on the public in our student salon and spa which is designed around today’s high-end professional salons and spas. A manicuring student shall not work on the public until the student has completed 70 hours of training.

Course objectives. Upon completion of the 350-hour program, the student will have had the opportunity to acquire the technical abilities and the academic theories in compliance with the requirements of the Kansas Board of Cosmetology. The skills and theories of each service are presented in a progressive manner permitting each student to acquire the maximum degree of technical ability and knowledge in a minimal length of time.

While sometimes referred to as manicurists and pedicurists, nail technicians do much more than these services. These beauty professionals use many techniques to enhance nails. If you want comprehensive training in nail care and sanitation, as well as knowledge of related spa treatments, consider a nail technology program.

The Nail Technology program in Manhattan, KS, teaches a comprehensive foundation in nail care and salon operations with 350 hours of training. Through Scientific Concepts, students learn about sanitation, product chemistry, nail and skin structures, and the anatomy of muscles and nerves, emphasizing safety and health. In Manicuring Skills, students learn techniques such as manicures, pedicures, massage, and polish application, while addressing special procedures and sanitation standards. The Artificial Nails module focuses on sculpturing, gels, tips, wraps, and repairs with an emphasis on precision and hygiene. Business Practices cover salon management, client records, and retail product sales, while State Law ensures compliance with regulations. In the supervised Student Salon and Spa, students gain experience working with real clients to enhance their client-facing skills while practicing their techniques. This program provides the education needed for a successful career in nail technology.

For success as a nail tech, you want a program that exposes you to the many techniques clients demand and hands-on training to help you perfect them in a spa and salon setting. Bellus Academy offers both. You learn from licensed instructors who care about seeing their students realize their career goals.

Students at Bellus Academy access the resources they need to excel in the Nail Technology program. Upon enrollment, you’ll get a student equipment kit with tools for practicing nail care techniques. You also receive a tablet to access workbooks and other materials on the digital platform.

As an aspiring nail tech, you want to learn industry trends to stay current, but you also want the foundational technical and customer service skills that every beauty professional needs. The Nail Technology program at Bellus Academy offers extensive training to cover these areas and more, helping set you up for a rewarding nail tech career.

TikTok Shop training. Health and beauty made up 79% of all U.S. TikTok Shop sales in 2024, totaling $1.34 billion according to Capital One Shopping research. At Bellus Academy, every student learns how to build a personal brand, create content, and sell beauty retail products online, taught through a licensed course from Jenn Lyles, a Top 1% TikTok Shop creator, and included in your total program cost.

Students desiring to enroll in Bellus Academy must be at least 16 years of age, and must provide a high school diploma, or its equivalent (i.e., a GED or a certificate demonstrating that the student has passed a state-authorized examination that the state recognizes as the equivalent of a high school diploma), a transcript showing high school completion, a transcript showing proof of attainment of an Associate’s degree or higher, or evidence of completion of home schooling that state law treats as a home or private school. The State of Kansas does not recognize ATB eligibility. Bellus Academy does not enroll students under training agreements.

Students must have attained the age of 17 before applying to take the Kansas Cosmetology Examination. Upon acceptance into the academy, each student enrolled in cosmetology, esthetics or nail technology must have an Apprentice License issued by the Kansas Board of Cosmetology and must be free from infectious and contagious diseases. All prospective students are encouraged to participate in a shadow day to gain more insight into the program they are considering.

Classes are conducted in residency Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm for day students (35-hour week) and Monday through Friday from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm for night students (25-hour week).

The program length for the Day Schedule is 10 weeks; the tuition and fee schedule lists 14 weeks for the Night Schedule.

Remaining 2026 class start dates: the day class starts November 17, 2026 and the evening class starts October 20, 2026. All students are required to attend a mandatory Orientation session before their class start date. Management reserves the right to modify class start dates when necessary.

Cost of attendance. Tuition $3,850; kit (includes books, supplies and equipment) $1,055.32; program fees $1,036.01; total charges for the program $5,941.33. Tuition, kits and fees are charged on the first day of class. Overall kit costs and program fees may change depending on whether or not the student opts out of specific items, and prices are subject to change without notice.

Overtime. Students can attend beyond their scheduled completion date, at no additional charge, up to 7.5% of their total program hours; after that, additional tuition accrues at the hourly rate of $11.

Student kit. Nail Tech Kit (KS) (included in the total program cost; kit items vary and are not guaranteed):

• OPI Nail with IBD kit with tools and materials
• Nail Bundle with practice hand, glue, and equipment
• Pivot Point Novice nail kit with brushes, files, etc.

Payment. Payments are accepted by cash, check (there is a $25 fee for returned checks) or credit card; for students using financial aid, payments are due when the aid is received. In addition to Financial Aid Assistance for qualifying students, individual financing and payment programs are available, including payment plans that spread payments over a pre-set period.

Financial aid. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Programs include the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans and alternative (private) loans. The first step is to complete the FAFSA; the FAFSA school code for the Manhattan campus is 016644.

Military and veterans. Programs are approved for Veterans Educational Benefits (GI Bill® Chapters 30, 33 and 35). Military spouses may qualify for MyCAA, and active-duty service members may use Military Tuition Assistance.

Scholarships. Institutional scholarships are offered periodically, including the High School, Military and Alumni scholarships, and the Midwest Advanced Artist Scholarship in Manhattan, KS; amounts vary by program.

Net price calculator. A net price calculator for the Manhattan campus is available at https://www.bellusacademy.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/index-1.html.

Occupational titles. Entry-level employment opportunities for Cosmetologists, Nail Technicians, Estheticians and Makeup Artists are available in individual salons, salon chains, department stores, supply houses, and day spas.

Completion, placement and licensure rates. As reported to NACCAS for 2024 (students who completed within 150% of the published program length), Nail Technology at the Manhattan campus: 31 of 31 students scheduled to graduate completed (100%); 24 of 28 graduates eligible for work obtained training-related work (85.71% placement); 28 of 29 graduates who took the state exam passed (96.55% licensure). The school notes that Poway and its Manhattan, KS branch report combined data to NACCAS and the campus figures were extracted from it.

Graduation rate. Federal Student Right to Know: the overall graduation rate for full-time, first-time students at the Manhattan campus was 83% (cohort year September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025, graduating within 150% of normal time).

Career services. Throughout your training, job search training is incorporated in your classes, and the Career Services Department offers resume preparation, mock interviews, referrals and graduate follow-up; the academies cannot guarantee employment.