HVAC Technician is a Diploma program (Hybrid) offered by Elite School of Cosmetology in Panama City, FL. The program takes About 20 weeks full time (600 clock hours) to complete, with a total tuition of $5,645.
Program Overview
The Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) Technician program at Elite School of Cosmetology is a 600 clock hour occupational training program for entry-level work in the HVAC/R industry. It prepares students to install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair residential and light commercial heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump systems to industry standards, safety regulations and environmental requirements.
Students learn OSHA-consistent safety, HVAC/R tools and diagnostic instruments, heat transfer, refrigeration and electrical theory, wiring diagrams and schematics, electrical, mechanical, airflow and refrigeration faults, EPA-compliant refrigerant recovery, recycling and charging, and energy-efficient solutions, including Florida-specific humidity control, indoor air quality and mold prevention. The program prepares students for the EPA Section 608 Certification examination.
Elite School of Cosmetology, which now presents itself as Elite Schools, is owned and operated by J.T. Tony’s, LLC, an Ohio company, and runs four campuses: Panama City and Niceville in Florida, and Norwalk and Ashland in Ohio. Its mission is to educate, train and prepare students to pass the required state board examinations and to excel in vocational careers that lead to gainful employment. All four campuses share one federal school code, 041859.
What sets this Program apart
- EPA 608 preparation. Refrigerant handling and certification exam prep are built in.
- Florida climate focus. Humidity control, indoor air quality, mold prevention and high-efficiency cooling.
- Hybrid delivery. Asynchronous theory with hands-on labs and competency-based assessments on campus.
- About 20 weeks. A short route into a skilled trade.
Admission Requirements and Process
Elite Schools admits as students those who have a valid High School Diploma or a state-sanctioned high school equivalency diploma and are above the compulsory school attendance age of sixteen. Admission requires a written application, a personal interview, and a completed and signed Enrollment Agreement, and all courses have open entry.
General Requirements
- Minimum Age 16All applicants must be above the compulsory age of school attendance, sixteen (16) years old. Any applicant who is under eighteen (18) years of age must have a parent or guardian…
- Photo IdentificationApplicants must provide photo identification.
- High School Diploma or EquivalentThe school admits as students those who have a valid High School Diploma or a state-sanctioned high school equivalency diploma. A Modified High School Diploma, a Certificate of…
- Foreign Diploma TranslationIf the student's High School Diploma is in a foreign language, it is the responsibility of the student to get the diploma translated into English by a school approved translator…
- Written ApplicationWritten application for admissions.
- Personal InterviewA personal interview is required for admission.
- Signed Enrollment AgreementA completed and signed Enrollment Agreement (contract). If the applicant is less than 18 years of age, a parent or a legal guardian must sign the Enrollment Agreement.
Application Process
- 1Schedule a School TourCall or contact Elite Schools to book a tour of the school and meet the staff.
- 2Submit a Written ApplicationContact the admissions office to complete a written application for admission.
- 3Complete a Personal InterviewMeet with the school for a personal interview. Applicants under 18 must bring a parent or guardian, who will also need to provide identification.
- 4Provide Proof of Education and IDProvide photo identification and a valid High School Diploma or state-sanctioned high school equivalency diploma. Official transcripts may be requested and evaluated by the director prior to enrollment.
- 5Apply for Financial Aid (FAFSA)Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and the school's Financial Aid Department can help you determine which types of aid you qualify for.FAFSA Code for Panama City: 041859Fill Out the FAFSA
- 6Sign Your Enrollment AgreementComplete and sign the Enrollment Agreement (contract) and pay the registration fee. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign the Enrollment Agreement.
- 7Start ClassesAll courses have open entry, so you can begin on the next available start date for your program.
Program Schedule
600 clock hours, about 20 weeks at a full-time pace. The program page advertises a 30-week program and a 20-week graduation; the 30 weeks on the program page is the catalog maximum time frame, the 150 percent limit for finishing at satisfactory progress. Progress is evaluated at 300 actual hours. Hybrid delivery is offered only at the Panama City campus.
School hours. Classes and online instruction run Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the school is closed on weekends. The Panama City office is open weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Niceville office weekdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. New classes begin the first day of each week.
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
When you attend an accredited institution, you attend a school that has been independently evaluated for educational quality.
Elite School of Cosmetology is accredited by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS). The Florida campuses are licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education.
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,645 |
| Registration fee | $100 |
| Books and materials | $1,650 |
| Total | $7,395 |
Federal aid. Federal student aid is available to those who qualify, including Federal Pell Grants and Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized and Parent PLUS loans. File the FAFSA with school code 041859; applications selected for verification need supporting documents before aid is processed. The school publishes a net price calculator.
Paying. A down payment is due when the enrollment agreement is signed, with the balance paid by payment plan before graduation. The school accepts cash, credit and debit cards, checks, cashier’s checks, U.S. money orders and financial aid. Licensing, criminal background check and exam fees are not part of the program cost. A $125 re-entry fee may apply to returning students, and students who run past their contract end date pay an hourly charge for the extra hours.
Cancellation and refunds. Cancelling in writing within three business days of signing returns all money paid except the non-refundable fee, and cancelling after that but before the first class returns everything except that fee. After classes begin, tuition is refunded pro rata by scheduled hours through 40 percent of the program; between 40.1 and 49.9 percent the school keeps 70 percent, and from 50 percent on there is no refund. The kit and books are refundable only if returned unused before the first day. Refunds are paid within 30 days.
Curriculum
The catalog’s HVAC Technician curriculum: two courses totalling 600 clock hours, HVAC/R Intermediate Service Practices (270 hours) and HVAC/R Advanced Service Practices (330 hours), combining classroom instruction, asynchronous theory, hands-on laboratory training, practical exercises and competency-based assessments.
The required courses below are from Elite School of Cosmetology's published catalog.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Lecture | Lab | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACR0013 | HVAC/R Intermediate Service Practices | 135 | 105 | 270 |
| ACR0044 | HVAC/R Advanced Service Practices | 165 | 135 | 330 |
| Totals | 300 | 240 | 600 |
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name |
|---|---|
| ACR0013 | HVAC/R Intermediate Service Practices |
| ACR0044 | HVAC/R Advanced Service Practices |
| Totals |
Career Outcomes
The catalog lists entry-level roles such as HVAC technician, HVAC installer, HVAC maintenance technician, refrigeration technician, service technician, heat pump technician and HVAC apprentice.
The school provides placement assistance to every graduate at no extra charge, posting openings on a student bulletin board and inviting salon owners and employers to speak to senior students, but it does not guarantee employment. Graduates cannot practice a licensed occupation until they pass the state licensing examination.
What to expect as a Elite School of Cosmetology student
The Panama City campus is a 4,000-square-foot stand-alone building, and the Niceville campus has 1,980 square feet in Palm Plaza. Both have air-conditioned, well-lit classrooms and are accessible, and beauty students have their own styling area. Students clock in on an electronic QR code time clock, and individual advising on academic, personal and career concerns is available from staff, with referral to outside professionals when needed.
Attendance and progress. Students must attend at least 66.67 percent of scheduled hours, keep a written grade average of at least 75 percent, pass a final written exam and complete the required practical services; failed or missed tests must be made up. The school does not separate excused from unexcused absences, but up to 10 percent of the clock hours in each payment period do not have to be made up. Students who reach the maximum time frame, 150 percent of the program, without finishing may continue on a cash-pay basis. Graduates receive a diploma once all hours, services and balances are complete.
Calendar. The school closes for Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and follows Gulf Coast State College for weather closures.