Cosmetology is a Certificate program offered by Bennett Career Institute in Washington, DC. The program takes 12 months (full-time) to complete, with a total tuition of $19,000.
Program Overview
The Cosmetology program conforms to the requirements of District of Columbia Board of Barber and Cosmetology. It is a 1500 clock hour course designed to prepare students for an operator's license and profitable employment upon graduation. The course will include theory, audio visual presentations, demonstrations, related field trips and practical work on mannequins, other students, and clinic clients.
Upon completion of the Cosmetology program, the student will be qualified to work in all phases of the cosmetology industry. The student will know the importance of projecting a professional image and will have knowledge of D.C. law pertaining to cosmetology. Further, the student will be fully equipped to pass the District of Columbia State Board Examination and receive a cosmetology operator's license.
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.
- 4Complete the FAFSATo apply for financial aid, create an FSA ID, gather the documents you need (tax return transcripts, untaxed income statements, driver's license, social security card, etc.), and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).FAFSA Code for Washington: 034096Fill Out the FAFSA
- 5Receive 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.
- 6Attend 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
1500 clock hours. Start dates: Full-time – Tuesday; Part-time Day – Tuesday; Part-time Evening – Wednesday.
Satisfactory Academic Progress evaluation periods (Cosmetology and Barber Styling): 1st – 450 clock hours and 15 weeks; 2nd – 900 clock hours and 30 weeks; 3rd – 1200 clock hours and 40 weeks; 4th – 1500 clock hours and 50 weeks.
Maximum time frame: 2250 clock hours (150% of scheduled time), or 18 months for full-time students, plus any approved leave of absence. Report cards and advising services are provided at 450, 900, and 1200 actual clock hours.
Cost of Attendance & Financial Aid
Title IV funding is available for this program.
Educational Books and Digital Materials Required: Milady Standard Cosmetology, 14th Edition and Foundations 1st Edition.
- Hardcover Cosmetology + Foundations Textbook Package – ISBN-13: 9780357871492
- CIMA Digital Course (2 year access) – ISBN-13: 9780357873441
- Printed Exam Review – ISBN-13: 9780357379103
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 $19,000 (tuition only; any fees billed separately).
Curriculum
Hours are clock hours, as published by Bennett Career Institute. In the table below Lecture is Theory, Lab is Practical, and External is the Online portion of the course.
The required courses below are from Bennett Career Institute's published catalog.
Required Courses
| Name |
|---|
| Cosmetology: History and Career Opportunities |
| Life Skills |
| Your Professional Image |
| Communicating for Success |
| The Healthy Professional |
| Infection Control |
| General Anatomy and Physiology |
| Chemistry & Chemical Safety |
| Electricity & Electrical Safety |
| Hair & Scalp Properties/Disorders & Disease |
| Principles of Hair Design |
| Hair Service Preparation |
| Haircutting |
| Hairstyling |
| Braiding and Braid Extensions |
| Wigs and Hair Addition |
| Chemical Texture Services |
| Hair Coloring |
| Skin Structure & Growth/Disorders & Diseases |
| Hair Removal |
| Facials |
| Make-up |
| Nail Structure & Growth/Disorders & Diseases |
| Manicuring 1and Pedicuring |
| Advanced Nail Techniques |
| Career Planning |
| On the Job |
| The Beauty Business |
| 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).