Braiding is a Certificate program offered by Bennett Career Institute in Washington, DC. The program takes 5–6 weeks to complete, with a total tuition of $730.
Program Overview
The Braiding program is a 100 clock hour program of study which will include instruction on sanitation and sterilization; decontamination and infection control; Career Opportunities; Natural Hair Care Services; Braiding and Braiding Hair Extensions. BCI's Braiding Curriculum conforms to the requirements of the District of Columbia Board of Barber and Cosmetology and is designed to prepare students for an operator's license and profitable employment upon graduation. Field trips and participation in competitions are not a course requirement, but participation is encouraged.
The student will learn the functions of: The District of Columbia Board of Barber and Cosmetology; the purpose of the State Board Inspectors; will become familiar with the documentation requirements for obtaining an operator's license; will learn the primary objective of the cosmetology operator's license; reviewing overall rules and regulations that pertain to the cosmetology field.
Admission Requirements & Process
At Bennett Career Institute, we have open enrollment, allowing students to enroll at any time throughout the year. We offer both day and evening classes to accommodate the needs of both full-time and part-time students, and we encourage students and parents to visit the school for a walkthrough before submitting an application.
General Requirements
- Minimum Age 17To apply at BCI, a student must be 17 years of age or older.
- High School Diploma or GEDApplicants must have a valid high school diploma or its equivalent (GED), or valid transcripts. Diplomas, transcripts and their equivalent must have an official school seal or…
- Foreign Diploma TranslationAny applicant that has a foreign high school diploma must have it translated into English by an outside agency that is qualified to translate documents into English and qualified…
- Two Forms of IDBring two forms of identification to the enrollment interview: one must be a valid government/state photo ID (driver's license or state ID), and a birth certificate or social…
- Enrollment ApplicationComplete a BCI enrollment application. A $25 Application Fee is a separate charge and is not included in the cost of tuition.
- Admissions InterviewInterview with an Admissions Representative. Applicants may be accepted only after all the enrollment requirements have been met and the interview process has been completed.
- Proof of IncomeBring proof of income (if applicable) to the scheduled enrollment interview.
Application Process
- 1Visit the SchoolStudents and parents are encouraged to visit the school for a tour prior to making an application. For inquiries and tour appointments, contact the Admissions Office.
- 2Complete the Enrollment ApplicationComplete a BCI enrollment application. BCI has open enrollment, so you may enroll at any time throughout the year.
- 3Interview with AdmissionsAttend your scheduled enrollment interview with an Admissions Representative, bringing your official High School Diploma or GED, two forms of identification, proof of income (if applicable), and the $25 Application Fee.
- 4Receive Your AcceptanceApplicants will be notified in person, in writing or by telephone of their acceptance or denial in the program within 3 to 5 days after the enrollment process has been completed.
- 5Attend New Student OrientationPrior to beginning classes, each student must attend the new student orientation session to go over the rules and regulations of the school, class schedules, and any questions you may have. Students must be in complete uniform on the day of their orientation.
Program Schedule
100 clock hours. Start date: Part-time Evening – Wednesday.
Maximum time frame: 150 hours or 7.5 weeks to complete the Braiding program. Braiding students receive their report card and advising services at 50 actual clock hours.
Cost of Attendance & Financial Aid
Title IV Funding is not available for this course; Braiding is self-pay only.
Educational Books Required: Milady Standard Natural Hair Care & Braiding, Published 2014.
- Textbook – ISBN-13: 9781133693680
- Workbook – ISBN-13: 9781133765653
Bennett Career Institute partners with the Department of Human Services, Department of Employment Services, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and Child and Family Services to support students who qualify for funding under these District of Columbia programs.
Students enrolled in the Cosmetology, Barber-Styling, Instructor, Manager, and Esthetics programs may also qualify for U.S. Department of Education Title IV funding. Please note that Makeup Artistry and Braiding programs are self-pay only.
BCI welcomes all students into its training programs and offers flexible payment plans. Accepted methods of payment include cash, check, credit card, and money order.
Total program tuition is $730 (tuition only; any fees billed separately).
Curriculum
- History and Career Opportunities — 3 hours
- Infection Control Principles and Practices — 3 hours
- Basic Principles for Personal & Professional Success — 4 hours
- The Professional Consultation — 4 hours
- Hair Types, Structure, and Textural Differences — 3 hours
- Hair and Scalp Disease and Disorders — 2 hours
- Basic Anatomy, Physiology, and Nutrition — 3 hours
- Shampoos, Conditioners, Herbal Treatments & Rinses — 9 hours
- Textured Hair is Manageable — 8 hours
- Natural Hair and Braid Sculpting Techniques — 59 hours
- Applicable D.C. Law — 2 hours
- TOTAL — 100 hours
The required courses below are from Bennett Career Institute's published catalog.
Required Courses
| Name |
|---|
| History and Career Opportunities |
| Infection Control Principles and Practices |
| Basic Principles for Personal &Professional Success |
| The Professional Consultation |
| Hair Types, Structure, and Textural Differences |
| Hair and Scalp Disease and Disorders |
| Basic Anatomy, Physiology, and Nutrition |
| Shampoos, Conditioners, Herbal Treatments & Rinses |
| Textured Hair is Manageable |
| Natural Hair and Braid Sculpting Techniques |
| Applicable D. C. Law |
| Totals |
Career Outcomes
BCI does not guarantee employment or salary to its students upon graduation. However, Bennett Career Institute will provide placement assistance upon request, which will consist of identifying employment opportunities and advising its graduates on appropriate means of attempting to realize these opportunities. To accomplish employment assistance, Bennett Career Institute maintains continuous contact with the Cosmetology and Barber Styling industry.
The school maintains job placement resources including employer partnerships, job boards, social media postings, and a job opportunity book to assist graduates in obtaining employment.
What to Expect as a Bennett Career Institute Student
Bennett Career Institute is housed in a well maintained, air-conditioned building with over 28,000 square feet of luxurious space. Bennett Career Institute has several spacious classrooms, a library, lockers and locker rooms, and elegant senior cosmetology and barber styling clinics where hair, skin and nail services are performed by qualified supervised students. BCI's students study from current learning materials and work with modern equipment. Further, there is limited parking available just outside the doors of BCI and the Brookland Metro Station (Red Line) is only a half block away. Additionally, a security monitoring system is in operation 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The student/teacher ratio at Bennett Career Institute is 30:1.
In addition to fulfilling District of Columbia requirements, Bennett Career Institute's students are required to participate in classroom lectures, demonstrations, audio-visual presentations, practice on other students, and competitions between each other. Bennett Career Institute also hosts annual cap and gown graduation ceremonies for its students.
Location
Accreditation & Approvals
Bennett Career Institute is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS), Inc., 3015 Colvin Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, telephone number 703-600-7600. Programs accredited by this national association include Cosmetology, Barber Styling, Instructor Manager, Esthetics, Manicuring 1 and Braiding.
Bennett Career Institute is approved to operate and is licensed by the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent and the Higher Education Licensure Commission to teach Cosmetology, Barber Styling, Instructor, Manager, Manicuring 1, Esthetics, Make-up Artistry and Braiding. The Education Licensure Commission is located at 1050 1st Street, NE, 5th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20002, telephone number 202-727-6436.
Student Demographics
These are demographics for all students at the Washington Campus (IPEDS, 2024).