Dudley Beauty College

Dudley Beauty College has provided beauty education in Chicago since 1993. The school was founded by Betty R. Clawson and describes itself as family-owned, locally owned, and woman-owned. It says it has more than 32 years of experience in beauty education.

Programs run in several lengths and schedules. Cosmetology is a 1500-hour program that begins with a 300-hour beginning level and continues into a 1200-hour advanced course; it can be finished in 9 months full-time, 18 months on part-time days, or 24 months on part-time evenings. Esthetics is a 750-hour program covering skin care, make-up artistry, and product demonstration, which takes 5 months full-time, 10 months part-time days, or 14 months part-time evenings. Nail technology is a 350-hour program that can be completed in 10 weeks full-time, 20 weeks part-time days, or 25 weeks part-time evenings. Barbering takes 9 months full-time or 18 months part-time evenings, hair braiding is a 6-month evening class, and advanced trichology training is 750 hours. New classes start on the first of every month.

Instructor training is offered for cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology, with hour requirements of 1000, 750, and 625 respectively, plus shorter tracks for instructors with two or more years of experience (500 hours) and clinic instructors (250 hours). Tuition for instructor programs includes books. Continuing education for licensed professionals covers cutting and coloring, up-dos and creative curling, salon management, hair additions, acrylic application and nail art, junk nails, and waxing and facials, and refresher courses are available for professionals updating their skills. The school offers certifications in Hair Braiding, Advanced Trichology, Desairology, and Instructor Training.

The Student Clinic offers hair styling and cutting, color treatments, facial treatments, manicures and pedicures, waxing, and massage therapy at affordable prices. Services are performed by students under supervision and are booked by appointment only, with clinic hours starting at 10:30 am. The school is open Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, and is closed Monday and Sunday.

Prospective students can start by requesting information through the website or by calling (773) 488-5900, and free consultations are available by phone or in person. The school offers interest-free payment plans and individualized plans, and accepts several cards, PayPal, Zelle, and Cash App. Students and clients have free parking and complimentary Wi-Fi, and the entrance is wheelchair accessible. The school is associated with the BRC Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit formed in 1999 that provides scholarships for students in the beauty industry, and with a sorority and fraternity chapter that dates to about 1945.

Training is built around structured programs of set hours, with students practicing on real clients in a supervised clinic.