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Program Overview
You have an eye for style and a heart for making people look and feel good. And, you’re ready to take your passion to the next level. This means knowing not only skills and techniques to transform skin and hair, but strategies for making people feel welcome and heard. Part craftsperson and part friend, a barber holds a special place in a person’s life and in the community.
Madison College’s one-year Barber Technical Diploma will help you hone skills in hair care and styling while setting you on a path to a career as a licensed barber.
This program is designed to get you licensed quickly. If you are looking to work and earn money in a barbershop while learning, the two-year Barber Apprenticeship program would be the route for you.
As a barber student you will learn a variety of skills under experienced, licensed professionals. Areas of focus include:
- Creating hair designs tailored to individuals through analysis of client needs, face shapes, head forms and hair textures
- Basic cutting techniques, including scissor and clipper control
- Tapered cuts and fades
- Styling, including blow-drying, styling products and finishing techniques
- Shaving, beard design and skin care, including facials, skin health, straight razor safety and sanitation
- Chemical services, including technique and safety for relaxing, coloring and perming
In addition to learning skills in barber services, you will develop additional professional skills. You will learn:
- Infection control practices, including keeping a clean work area and tools
- Active listening, consultation and other helpful communication skills
- Strategies to market products and services to grow your business
- Time management and organizational skills, essential for keeping appointments and running a business
After completing the Barber Technical Diploma program, you will be eligible to take the state test to become licensed as a practitioner.
Real-world, Hands-on Learning
Barber students work both on mannequins in the classroom and on volunteer models in Madison College’s salon setting. The Barber Technical Diploma also requires an externship. You will research area barber shops and choose one where you will spend 144 unpaid hours further developing and practicing your skills.
Program Details
Madison College's Barber students attend class full-time during the day, Monday through Friday.
Barber classes are offered at the Madison College Truax campus.
You'll receive a barber kit that includes all equipment and supplies needed to complete this program as a part of a class fee.
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2026-2027 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.
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How to Apply
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
If you are an international student and want to apply to Madison College, or transfer your F-1 student visa here, check program availability and then complete the International Admission Process.
Apply Now - Limited Seats Available!
This program has limited capacity and may reach maximum enrollment quickly. Applying to the Pre-Barber program early gives you the best chance of securing a spot.
To enroll in program courses, students must first meet academic preparedness requirements and complete the declaration process.
- Program capacity: 22 spots every Fall
- Estimated Wait Time: No estimated wait time between when students are core ready and when they become eligible to enroll in program classes. This timeline may vary depending on how many students complete the declaration process each semester.
Submitting your application now ensures you're considered as soon as space becomes available. If the program reaches capacity, a waiting list will be used to manage additional qualified applicants.
Before applying, be sure to:
- Review the admission requirements for deadlines, materials, and requirements
- Review the After You Apply section on this page
Application Dates
Fall 2027
- Application available on October 15, 2026
- Application completion deadline is August 15, 2027
Admission Requirements
1. Admission Application
The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.
2. Education Completion
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
- High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED completion
- College transcript or Madison College experience showing:
- Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
- At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
- The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
- Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum
- Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
3. Residency Requirement
Due to program demand and TCS 10 guidelines, this program is limited to district and non-district state residents.
Additional Notes
Students are required to meet the current admission requirements, academic preparedness requirements, and complete the declaration process. Requirements are subject to change based on updates to accreditation requirements or Madison College program assessment data.
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Barber career.
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After You Apply
Academic Preparedness Requirements
This program has academic preparedness requirements that must be completed before beginning core classes. Requirements for this program are listed below and are subject to change. Run a personalized report in your student account to confirm which requirements are complete, which are still outstanding, and how requirements may be satisfied.
When you’ve completed all academic preparedness requirements, you will submit the declaration form to confirm that you are ready to enter core program classes. These steps are part of the declaration process.
Student Report
- Pre-core students admitted prior to Fall 2027: Run your Degree Progress Report in your Student Center in PeopleSoft.
- Pre-core students admitted for Fall 2027 and later: Academic preparedness requirements will be available in your Academic Progress Report in Workday. Access will be available beginning March 2027.
Prerequisites
Math (testing or college coursework)
Testing
- ACT Math 15+
- Accuplacer NexGen (Arithmetic) 237+
College courses
- Basic Math
English and Reading (testing, college coursework or bachelor's degree)
Testing
- ACT Reading 14+
- Accuplacer NexGen (Reading) 236+
- ACT English 13+
- Accuplacer NexGen (Writing) 233+
College courses
- English 1
- Written Communication
- English 2
- Intro Reading & Study Skills AND Intro to College Writing
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
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Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
Prospective employers throughout Madison consider Madison College’s Barber graduates top candidates. Graduates from one-year technical diploma program are ready for a range of professional positions in the field of barbering, including:
- Barber
- Barbering Educator
- Establishment Manager
- Small Business Entrepreneur
- Industry Representative
- Platform Artist
