Barber

Learn haircutting, shaving, and so much more as part of our extensive barbering program. Our goal is your career success. We have designed our barbering courses to prepare you to pass the Idaho State Board exam, so nothing will stand between you and your new job.

Boise Barber College a d.Martin Academy educates students in a strong foundation of the History, Theory and Practical Skills as well as Laws, Rules & Regulations pertaining to the Barber industry. Classes are presented in the form of lectures, theory and practical classes (models, mannequins and audio/visual), and clinical instruction on clients (including mini classes) with specific motivational lesson plans stating clear objectives and criteria for evaluation. The school uses the Milady’s Standard Textbook of Barber and follows the State of Idaho Course of Studies for Barber school curriculum.

Setting you up for success. To truly be successful in this industry, you have to understand how the business side works. Our curriculum also focuses on business and client development, so you can enter the business world with confidence. Do you know how to reach out to the community and let them know about your services? Can you use social media to keep your clients engaged with your business? You’ll learn about this and much more in our business courses.

Barber skills.

• The history of barbering
• Anatomy & chemistry
• State laws and regulation
• Straight edge shaving
• Clipper-art
• Merchandising techniques
• Sanitation and sterilization
• Safety practices
• State board preparation

Students successfully passing the course will receive a Diploma and will be prepared to be successfully employed in the Barber profession.

Welcome to Boise Barber College a d.Martin Academy. We know you have choices when it comes to your education and we want you to know some of the reasons we think you will LOVE Boise Barber College a d.Martin Academy:

• A business curriculum that can start your career off right!
• A FUN and ENGAGING environment, with all learning based on true principals and up to date techniques and methodologies.
• Instructors who are passionate about their craft. All our instructors are here for YOU! They LOVE what they do and they want to mentor you throughout your entire program.
• Administrators who will go above and beyond for you and your learning experience. They are on-site and available for your questions and suggestions.
• A clean, professional and up to date barber shop environment.
• A support system. Between your instructors, the administration, and your fellow peers.
• A STRONG pass rate for State Board testing.
• Professional, high end products. We want you to have the best tools to learn with.

The only dedicated barber school in Idaho. We are the only 100% barber college in Idaho. At our school, we only teach barbering, which means we have a team dedicated to the art of barbering and can help prepare you with the skills you need to become a professional barber.

100% barbering school. We are not a cosmetology school that just happens to offer a barbering course on the side. Our school is all about teaching the best barbering techniques and skills so you will have the tools you need to succeed in your field.

A prospective student must be at least 16 ½ years old and provide proof of age with a copy of their birth certificate, a passport, driver’s license or other government issued form of documentation. They must have a high school diploma, GED, its equivalent, or a transcript showing high school completion. (We are required to verify that your proof of education is valid; if documentation is determined to be invalid you will be denied admission to the school.) Boise Barber College a d.Martin Academy does not accept Ability-to-Benefit students. All courses are taught in English.

Transfer/re-entry students. Certified transcripts of hours earned are required, and all transfer students must earn a minimum of 200 hours at Boise Barber College a d.Martin Academy; transfer and re-entry students start in the Freshman Program, with opt-out testing available after review.

Our barber program is 900 clock hours, and depending on the schedule can determine how long it takes to complete: 26 weeks full-time (37.5 hours a week) or 30 weeks part-time (30 hours a week). In as little as 7 months, you could have the skills you need to start your new career.

• Full-time: Monday – Friday 9am-5pm
• Part-time: Monday – Friday 9am-3pm

There is a three-day part-time schedule available Monday through Wednesday 8:30am – 7pm available after four weeks of Freshman is completed.

Start dates. Each new Barber/Barber-Stylist class begins with an orientation. The school reserves the right to close additional days with posted notice, and change class start dates based on class sizes.

Barber costs (catalog revised November 2024).

• Application Fee (non-refundable): $50
• Registration Fee (non-refundable): $550
• Books & Kit Fee (non-refundable): $2,000
• Taxes (books and supplies) (non-refundable): $120
• Tuition: $10,500
• Total Costs: $13,220.00

Payment options. Boise Barber College a d.Martin Academy is a private pay school and offers the following payment options: cash, check, money order, credit card, non-federal funds, or through Federal Student Aid.

• Option 1 – Payment of entire tuition & fees before starting classes.
• Option 2 – Finance directly through the school, with all fees paid before the first day of class AND 6 payments of $500, the first paid on the first day of school and a final balloon payment due prior to receiving the 900 hours required to graduate.
• Option 3 – Go with a bank or credit union and make payments to them.
• Option 4 – Government Financial Aid that includes Pell Grants, Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans.
• Option 5 – Veterans Education benefits.

Payment must be made in full 2 weeks after the first start of class or the student may be dropped from the class until payment is received. Other payment arrangements will be given consideration through the Financial Aid Director. Any scholarship given by the school is applied to the final tuition payment and is rescinded if the program is not finished.

Federal financial aid. Financial Aid is available to those who qualify. Boise Barber College a d.Martin Academy is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to provide the Federal Pell Grant Program, Federal Direct Loan Program, and Federal Parent Plus Loan Program. To participate you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). Use our school code: 042032.

Veterans. The school’s programs are approved by the Idaho SAA, meaning we can accept all forms of veterans education benefits.

Other charges. Transfer/re-entry students pay $10.56 for every hour needed to complete the program. Extra instructional charges beyond the contracted graduation date are $10.56 per scheduled hour. Students who withdraw or terminate prior to course completion are charged a cancellation or administrative fee of $150.00, and the re-admittance fee is $150.00. Costs of the State Board Examination and State Licensure are the responsibility of the student.

Our curriculum is designed around helping you sit for the Idaho State Board testing. Once you’ve completed your coursework and passed the test, the next step is to jump into the industry. Job possibilities for Barber graduates include Barber, Platform artist, Educational Consultant, Shop/Salon manager, Shop/Salon Owner and Product representative.

Boise Barber College a d.Martin Academy statistics (school-wide, as published in the catalog):

• 2022: graduate completion rate 85.96%; placement rate of graduates 95.24%; licensure rate of graduates 100%.
• 2021: graduate completion rate 86.11%; placement rate of graduates 90.42%; licensure rate of graduates 100%.
• 2020: graduate completion rate 65.41%; placement rate of graduates 88.62%; licensure rate of graduates 100%.
• 2019: graduate completion rate 72.99%; placement rate of graduates 93.33%; licensure rate of graduates 100%.

Employment assistance. Boise Barber College a d.Martin Academy does not guarantee employment; however, the college maintains contacts in the barber & beauty industries to assist students in job placement. Barber Shop and Salon owners are encouraged to interview our students upon graduation, and per request the college will provide students with lists of local Barber Shops and Salons.

Compensation. New professionals in all programs offered could expect to earn $8-$15 per hour initially with potential growth. The average shop/salon income, including tips is about $30,000-$50,000 per year.

Our facility is conveniently located in the Boise Spectrum Center at the corner of Overland and Cole. The facility is designed with state of the art equipment to be both aesthetically pleasing as well as extremely functional. The school is equipped with hair stations, barber chairs, color room, large classroom, a fully stocked dispense, and state of the art technology. Students can be proud of the work they are creating and the education they are receiving in the friendly yet professional environment.

Real-world experience. Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to develop and expand your talents in a real barbershop environment, providing services to actual clients under the supervision of licensed professionals in our student barber shop.

Student support services.

• The institution provides access to orientation programs prior to the first day of class.
• Students are provided with academic advising and additional assistance, as necessary.
• Information and advice on any available financial assistance is accessible to students.
• The institution has an internal complaint or grievance procedure to consider students complaints.
• The institution posts known job listings for students in the student breakroom.