Barbering Cosmetology

The Barbering Cosmetology program is a 1400-hour course of instruction that satisfies the requirements for California State Board licensing for both Barbering and Cosmetology. The program length for the Day Schedule is approximately 40 weeks and the Evening Schedule is approximately 56 weeks. Students are trained using the Bellus Academy Cut and Color system, which incorporates verbal, written, visual and hands-on instruction in both classroom and clinic floor settings. Instruction includes the development of core technical skills in haircutting, hairstyling, and chemical services, as well as foundational knowledge in health and safety, sanitation, and client care, both in the barbering and cosmetology industries. In addition to technical training, students are introduced to essential professional skills including client consultation, basic business practices, and introductory marketing concepts to support early career success. This program is intended for individuals seeking to enter the barbering and/or cosmetology profession and establish a foundation for future growth and advancement within the industry.

Course objectives. The program is structured to ensure students gain the following competencies:

• Successfully complete the California State Board licensing requirements for both Barbering and Cosmetology.
• Perform services at an entry-level standard.
• Demonstrate foundational client service and consultation skills.
• Begin employment in a barber shop, salon or related industry environment.

Bellus Academy’s Barbering Cosmetology program covers a vast array of topics, including the trends and techniques you’ll need to progress in your future career, as well as important professional development skills. This means you’ll not only learn about the craft but also the business side of the industry.

The program requires at least 1,400 hours, providing classroom learning and hands-on training in our supervised student salon and spa. This helps ensure students get all the knowledge they need and gain experience with clientele. The program is offered at our Poway and Chula Vista, CA, campuses and led by licensed instructors committed to seeing their students succeed.

The Barbering Cosmetology program prepares students to take both the Barbering and Cosmetology state license exams. It is designed to give our graduates a competitive edge as we teach the industry’s business side, including retailing, sales techniques, and budgeting.

The Barbering Cosmetology program provides extensive training in gentleman’s grooming, haircuts, hair removal, skincare, facials, and brow shaping. Students learn to perform core services, including eyelash and brow services, lash lifts, basic make-up, manicures, and pedicures.

The program also covers hair analysis, styling and cutting, mastering shear and clipper cutting techniques, permanent waving and chemical straightening, hair coloring and bleaching, shaving, beard and mustache care and design, and men’s skincare.

Our student salon provides students with the experience needed to develop their craft and work with clients. The curriculum includes technical training along with state board prep.

The program includes a tablet, where much of the curriculum is taught with a social learning experience.

Aside from our well-crafted curriculum and supervised student salons and spas, Bellus Academy provides students an edge thanks to our award-winning instructors. These passionate and dedicated instructors help students learn everything they need to know, including how to use various types of equipment and perform the most popular techniques.

Students will also benefit from an included student equipment kit. This kit provides many essential materials that will help students hone their skills. The kit includes items like professional Mizutani shears, model heads and hair to practice on, brushes, combs, and other tools, bags for storage and transport, and more.

Students will also receive a tablet after enrollment, which allows them to access the digital learning platform. Externship and job opportunities will also help students grow, and the program prepares them for their barbering and cosmetology state license exams.

Program highlights.

• Compete in national competitions
• Externship and job opportunities in top salons and resorts
• Develop your portfolio and resume
• This program is a combination of our cosmetology and barbering programs.

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 have reached the age of majority (i.e., 18 in California), 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. Bellus Academy does not enroll students under training agreements.

The academy will verify the authenticity of the high school diploma prior to enrollment. 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 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm for night students (25-hour week).

The program length for the Day Schedule is 40 weeks and the Evening Schedule is 56 weeks.

Remaining 2026 class start dates (day and evening): October 27, November 17 and December 15, 2026. Residential and Hybrid programs have the same class start dates. 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 $21,700; kit (includes books, supplies and equipment) $2,024.84; program fees $3,308.22; STRF $0.00; total charges for the program $27,033.06. 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 $15.50.

Student kit. Barbering Cosmetology Kit (CA) (included in the total program cost; kit items vary and are not guaranteed):

• GHD hot tools, including a hair dryer, diffuser, curling iron, and styler
• Mizutani shears, shears sleeve, mannequin shears, and shear oil
• Motik bundle, which comes with combs, clips, a mister, etc.
• Borboleta Lash & Lift kit
• Cosmo nail kit with tools and materials
• Pivot Point cosmetology kits, which include items like brushes, combs, clips, spray bottles, color bowls, hair swatches, and more
• Pivot Point barbering kit
• Shavers, combs, guide combs, etc.
• Hair art mannequins

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. Cal Grant B and Cal Grant C can be used at Bellus Academy by eligible California students. Bellus Academy is not eligible to receive funding under the California Dream Act (AB 540). The first step is to complete the FAFSA; the FAFSA school code for the Poway 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; amounts vary by program.

Net price calculator. A net price calculator for the Poway campus is available at https://www.bellusacademy.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/index-2.html.

Occupational titles. Employment opportunities for Barbers include Barber, Stylist, Master Barber and Barber Shop Operator. Cosmetologists entering the job market can be employed as assistants or stylists. Cosmetologists may also enter the employment field as a makeup artist, manicurist, facialist, hair color technician, ethnic styles specialist or haircutter.

Completion, placement and licensure rates. As reported to NACCAS for 2024 (students who completed within 150% of the published program length), Barbering Cosmetology at the Poway campus: 16 of 21 students scheduled to graduate completed (76.19%); 10 of 16 graduates eligible for work obtained training-related work (62.50% placement); 16 of 16 graduates who took the state exam passed (100% 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 Poway campus was 70% (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.

Externships. Externship Programs (as available) provide students with real-life, hands-on experience at highly successful, dynamic and inspiring salons and spas. Students who have completed 60% of their program of study, and are current with their clinic operations, may participate; externships are not a requirement for graduation.

Community service and off-site learning. The academy frequently participates in community events, salon visitations, extended training sessions in product knowledge and technical instruction, and various other extra-curricular activities, and students are expected to represent the academy at these events when requested.

Student app. All students have access to the Bellus Academy Student App for progress reports, academics, attendance and job postings.