Aveda Institute – Boise and Aveda Institute – Twin Falls offer a Barbering program that can be completed in 29 weeks on our full-time schedule.
Program schedule (full-time at 34 hours per week): Tuesday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm; Saturday: 8:30 am – 3 pm
Program schedule (part-time at 25 hours per week): Wednesday, 8:30 am – 7 pm; Thursday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm; Friday, 11 am – 7 pm
Barbering is an innovative field full of original thinkers and creators. Many barbers enjoy the freedom and flexibility of creating their schedules and the ability to express themselves every day. Does this sound like you? You should consider a future as a barber!
The Barbering program at Aveda Institute – Boise and Aveda Institute – Twin Falls runs 900 clock hours and takes most students less than a year to finish, even with a part-time schedule. Barber training provides an opportunity for anyone looking for a career change, a fresh start, or a future in something they are passionate about.
Barbering Program Curriculum at Aveda Institutes
At Aveda Institute – Boise and Twin Falls, we have designed our curriculum so students can learn the skills and techniques they need for their careers, from cutting and styling to business acumen. Curriculum topics include:
- Scientific principles of barbering: Learn microbiology and infection control, hair theory, hair and scalp care fundamentals, pH and products, and more
- Foundational cuts, tapered cuts, and fades: Explore cutting theory and how to use your tools, including the razor; learn different form cuts as well as texturizing techniques; different layers, gradations, and fades
- Styling and blowdry techniques: Master the essentials of styling, including thermal and wet styling; use of styling tools and equipment such as a round or vent brush, flat iron, and many others
- Shaving and beard design: Learn about theory and tools to perform a good shave; shaving techniques for various looks, including short, partial, shadow beards to full-face, full-head shaves
- Understanding skin care: Understand skin theory, skin diseases and disorders, proper skin care; how to provide a basic facial, hair removal, and eyebrow waxing
- State rules and regulations: All state laws and rules a successful barber should know, including safety and sanitation requirements
- Business and life skills: How to set business goals; tips for conducting the job search and finding a barbershop that fits; improving professional relationships; how to build a book of business; creating a superior barbershop experience; excelling at retail sales
Class Schedule for Barbering Program
This program is offered on a full-time schedule (34 hours per week) or a part-time schedule (25 hours per week) at both the Aveda Institute–Boise and Aveda Institute–Twin Falls campuses.
Full-time barbering schedule: Tuesday – Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, Saturday 8:30am-3:00pm
Part-time barbering schedule: Wednesday 8:30am-7:00pm, Thursday 8:30am-4:30pm, Friday 11:00am
Teaching Methods at Aveda Institute
Our curriculum incorporates many teaching methods to accommodate different students’ learning styles and to help solidify concepts. Modes of learning include hands-on demonstrations and practicum, video and web-based theory work, individualized instruction, labs, and salon projects. Student classroom presentations and cooperative learning help ensure that students amplify each other’s learning.
Our students begin their barbering experience with 260 hours of educational material that is designed to prepare them to hit the student salon floor as soon as possible. This instructional time includes weekly live model practice and other exercises to help students gain confidence in their barbering techniques. Once they’ve demonstrated an understanding of the basics, students are able to perform services on the salon floor.
Our Salon Floor
We believe in the power of learning how to perform real services on real clients. Once our students have completed the classroom introductory phase of the program, they have the opportunity to work on our salon floor. Students are set up for success and always supervised by our licensed instructors who can guide them throughout the process.
One of the other benefits to working on the salon floor is that students can begin to develop client relationships. Not only is this beneficial for them to learn while at school, but they are able to build a local clientele. Many of our students are able to create such great relationships that they already have a loyal clientele once they graduate and become licensed barbers.
Extracurricular Learning
Part of the unique advantage of attending school at Aveda Institute – Boise and Aveda Institute – Twin Falls are the extracurricular learning opportunities we provide. The barbering industry is full of innovation, and we want to help make sure our students are up to date on the cutting-edge techniques and trends. To do this, we invite industry experts and educators to our school for various seminars as well as a variety of other extracurricular activities.
The Business of Barbering
One of our top priorities is preparing our students for a successful career as a barber, not just passing the state board exams. We’ve crafted a curriculum with the goal of teaching students how to grow and manage a profitable business. Our owner, Nate Shaw, is himself a previous salon owner who knows what it takes to thrive in the industry. His learnings are integrated into the curriculum at Aveda Institute – Boise and Aveda Institute – Twin Falls, so future grads are able to jumpstart their new careers with the benefit of that experience.
“At school, they taught us to market ourselves, to post consistently, and to build habits that would lead to success.”
Jesse Andrus, Aveda Institute – Twin Falls grad and barbershop owner
The Aveda Difference
By choosing to be trained as a barber at an Aveda Institute, you are not just electing a top-notch education and forward-looking culture. You’re also gaining exposure in ways that can boost your future career.
We use the Aveda line of products in our barber training. This means that the products you use every day and with clients are high-performance, naturally derived, and environmentally friendly.
In addition, being an Aveda Institute means our students and graduates become part of the Aveda network. With a global footprint of institutes and salons, the Aveda network can accelerate your growth and career development through greater access to continuing education, posted jobs, and fields that may not be promoted to grads of non-Aveda institutions.
Is Barbering the Right Fit for Me?
You may be a natural fit for a career as a barber if you identify with some of these traits:
Charismatic
Creative
Extraverted
Independent
Entrepreneurial
Determined
Driven
Career Paths in Barbering
Becoming a licensed barber can open the door to a lot of possibilities. Some careers include:
- Barber Shop Owner
- Barber Shop or Salon Manager
- Barber Educator
- Aveda Purefessional™
- Industry Influencer
- Product Salesperson
- …and many more options!
Paying for Barber School
We want to help our students make barber school an affordable option. We offer a variety of financial aid options to those who qualify to make it easier. Learn more about financial aid at Aveda Institutes.
Interested in Similar Programs?
If you’re still weighing barbering against other training programs, check out our cosmetology and esthetics programs if you want to learn all about hair, skin care, and makeup!
