Cortiva Institute Arlington, TX

Cortiva Institute is a network of schools with six campuses across Texas, Maryland, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Florida. Alongside barbering, its programs include cosmetology, esthetics, makeup artistry, massage therapy, nail specialty and paramedical esthetics, and the mix of programs varies by campus. The school describes its programs as fast-track and its curriculum as holistic and hands-on.

The barber track at the Arlington campus is the Class A Barber Program, which takes 12 months and 1,000 instructional hours, equal to 57 academic semester credits.

Training is live and hands-on. Students work on real clients at an on-campus spa, and the school says its instructors are practicing specialists in their field. Students receive a professional kit and free tutoring with state board review support, and the program includes training in barbershop business, rebooking, upselling and retail.

Career services include career fairs with partner employers, help with résumés and portfolios, mock interviews and job postings, and they continue after graduation with alumni support and help scheduling the state exam and applying for licensure. The school states that employment cannot be guaranteed.

Prospective students can submit a request form and speak with an admissions representative. The enrollment path runs through an inquiry, interview, tour, application, financing, enrollment and start day. Financial aid listed includes Pell Grants, Federal Direct Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans, Federal SEOG, Federal Work Study and in-school payment plans, with eligibility requiring U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen status, a valid Social Security number and a high school diploma or equivalent. Students can also pay in cash weekly, monthly or quarterly without interest while attending. Admissions hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The school describes its curriculum as holistic and hands-on, with training delivered on live clients.