Cortiva Institute Baltimore, MD

Cortiva Institute runs several campuses that train students for licensed work in beauty, skin care, massage and wellness. The campuses are in Arlington, Texas; Linthicum Heights (listed as Baltimore), Maryland; Cromwell, Connecticut; King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; Maitland, Florida; and St. Petersburg, Florida. Which programs and program lengths are offered depends on the location, so prospective students should check the specific campus.

Training is hands-on. Students practice on real clients at an on-campus spa, where they learn customer service, client retention, retail sales and how to recommend home care routines. Spa services are performed by students under the supervision of a licensed professional, and the spa's therapeutic services can be combined into a package built around a client's needs. Spa services can be booked online.

Skin care students train with Dermalogica, as the school is a Dermalogica Partnership School. Instruction comes from Dermalogica business consultants and International Dermal Institute educators, and skin care students receive a Professional Dermalogica Esthetics Kit to practice with. Graduates can pursue Dermalogica certification.

Several campuses also offer dual programs that pair skin care with nail technology or massage therapy. The Skin Care and Massage Therapy dual program is offered only at Maitland. The school says dual-trained graduates can offer more services in one visit, such as a full set of nails with an eyebrow wax. Massage students receive a range of modalities training, including Swedish, deep tissue, sports, reflexology and myofascial release.

Students can get support with licensure exams, including free tutoring and exam reviews, and career services that include career fairs with partner employers, guest lectures, field trips to local salons and spas, résumé and portfolio help, mock interviews, and help scheduling state exams and filing license applications. The school states that career services do not guarantee employment and continue into alumni support. Admissions representatives can help with financial aid and schedule campus tours. Admissions hours are Monday to Thursday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Classes are offered during the day and in the evening.

Federal aid available at some campuses includes Pell Grants, Federal Direct Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans for parents, FSEOG and Federal Work Study, which allows up to 20 hours a week of work with pay that varies by position. Aid is applied for through the FAFSA, which requires an FSA ID to sign electronically, and eligibility generally requires U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen status, a valid Social Security Number and a high school diploma or equivalent. Students can also pay tuition in cash weekly, monthly or quarterly, interest-free while attending, and in-school payment plans are offered. The esthetics program at King of Prussia is not currently approved for Title IV funding.

The school says it focuses on hands-on education and student growth, with training on real clients and practice in a working spa.

Classrooms and an on-campus spa where students work with live clients.