Esthetics Hybrid

Hybrid delivery. Distance Education: Includes 2 months of online education, 2 days a week in the required state board minimums. To include sections of Health and Safety, Disinfection and Sanitation, Skin Care and Hair Removal. Coursework that is delivered through distance education is completed at a location determined by the student.

The Esthetics program is a 600-hour course of instruction designed to prepare students for initial licensure and entry-level employment in the field of skin care. This program meets the requirements established by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology for licensure and provides the foundational technical training and theory necessary to begin a career in the industry. The program length for the Day Schedule is 20 weeks, and the Evening Schedule is 24 weeks. Students are trained using a curriculum that incorporates verbal, written, visual, and hands-on instruction in both classroom and clinic floor settings. Instruction includes the development of core technical skills in facials, chemical treatments, hair removal, and makeup application, as well as foundational knowledge in health and safety, sanitation, and skin physiology. In addition to technical training, students are introduced to essential professional skills including client consultation, business tracking systems, financial literacy, and marketing strategies to support early career success. This program is intended for individuals seeking to enter the esthetics 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.
• Perform esthetic services at an entry-level standard.
• Demonstrate foundational client service, consultation, and professional personality skills.
• Begin employment in a spa, salon, or related skin care environment.

Offered at our CA campuses, the Esthetics program gives students foundational skills to prepare for the state esthetician licensing exam. Students learn essential skills, plus develop business knowledge. The program comprises 600 hours and involves hands-on training. Students gain experience with real clients in the supervised student salon and spa. The program is led by experienced licensed instructors who use a range of equipment to help students develop skills crucial for career success.

Our Fundamental Esthetic Program is designed to provide students with the foundation skills in the field of esthetics.

The program covers essential topics, including skincare analysis, facial treatments, hair removal techniques, makeup application, and customer service skills. Students gain knowledge about various skin types, conditions, and appropriate treatments.

We emphasize hands-on training to enhance practical skills. In addition to technical skills, our program focuses on professionalism and business ethics. Students learn to communicate effectively with clients and manage spa/salon operations.

Students are prepared to take the state esthetician licensing exam upon program completion.

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

Bellus Academy instructors design the curriculum to help students learn the most popular trends and techniques. Our programs come with a student equipment kit, providing the essential items you’ll need to practice your craft. You’ll even be given a tablet that helps you access the digital platform. Many of our programs also allow students to take on externships to get even more experience. In the end, you’ll be ready to take your exam, giving you your esthetics license upon passing.

Program highlights.

• Learn the business side of the industry, including retailing, sales techniques, and financial management
• Practice with a diverse clientele in our student salon
• Assistance with job search, interviewing, and state board prep

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.

Students enrolling in a program that offers a distance education delivery method (hybrid) must meet the minimum student skills, hardware, and software requirements to enroll in any distance education (online) courses. Students will be assessed, prior to admission in the program through completion of a Distance Education Questionnaire on whether the student has the appropriate skills and competencies needed to succeed in the distance education environment.

Classes are conducted, in residency and online, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm for day students (30-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 20 weeks and the Evening Schedule is 24 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 $9,300; kit (includes books, supplies and equipment) $1,431.39; program fees $453.69; STRF $0.00; total charges for the program $11,185.08. 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. Esthetics Kit (CA) (included in the total program cost; kit items vary and are not guaranteed):

• Borboleta Lash & Lift kit
• Zemits AknoEvit/High Frequency Device
• Tools like spatulas, extractors, facial rollers, 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. 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. Graduates will enter the field as estheticians, sometimes known as facialists or skin care technicians.

Completion, placement and licensure rates. As reported to NACCAS for 2024 (students who completed within 150% of the published program length), Esthetics Hybrid at the Poway campus: 18 of 20 students scheduled to graduate completed (90%); 8 of 13 graduates eligible for work obtained training-related work (61.54% placement); 13 of 13 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.