Get the training you need to become a licensed barber with Madison College's technical diploma.
barber student trimming the back of a clients head
Barber
Program Number: 315025
Your Degree: Technical Diploma
Estimated Time to Complete: 26 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 year
Delivery Method: Some Online/Some In Person
Area of Study: Culinary, Hospitality and Fitness
Estimated Program Cost: $4,696.62
View Tuition and Fees

  • 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.

  • Program Courses

    Here's a sample course sequence that shows how classes for full-time students are typically organized by semester. 

    Once you're admitted, your full curriculum and sequence—including any pre-requisites—is defined in your Degree Progress Report.

    First Semester
    31-502-511
    Barbering Fundamentals
    Provides an overview of the barbering industry; introduces state statutes (laws) and rules as they apply to barber safety and sanitation; examines bacteriology and principles for infection control. Explore decontamination procedures for tools, equipment, and surfaces. Explains the purpose of barbering organizations and the Department of Safety and Professional Services. Develop short and long term goals and compare professional and personal ethics.
    1 credit
    31-502-512
    Barber Haircutting Concepts
    Identify principal tools and implements, apply haircutting terminology, recognize facial shapes and anatomical features, and examine techniques to create a variety of haircutting designs. Apply safety and sanitation procedures adhering to the Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative codes.
    3 credits
    31-502-513
    Barber Basic Hair Color
    Examine the color wheel and theory behind the "Law of Color." Analyze the chemical processes used in hair coloring and color maintenance services. Formulate, mix, and apply temporary, semi-permanent, demi-permanent, and permanent color. Examine lightening techniques and corrective color procedures. Practice pre-service hair color consultations.
    2 credits
    31-502-514
    Barber Shampoo and Scalp Treatments
    Emphasis is on hair and scalp analysis, shampooing, and services for scalp treatment.
    1 credit
    31-502-515
    Barber Basic Hair Design
    Introduces students to foundational hair styling methods using tools such as blow dryers, curling irons, and a variety of styling products. Wet hair styling techniques, including roller sets, pin curls, and finger waves. Emphasis is placed on proper parting and sectioning to ensure precision and consistency. Practice on mannequins and available models, building confidence and skill in classic and modern styling approaches.
    2 credits
    31-502-516
    Barber Shaving and Facials
    Emphasis is on shaving and facial services, examine facial hair and skin conditions, identify facial muscles, nerves, and hair growth patterns, demonstrate facial hair removal. Demonstrate effective usage and care of facial hair removal tools and equipment; explain the benefits of facial massage and treatments.
    2 credits
    31-502-517
    Barber Introduction to Guest Services and Client Relations
    Develop communication and consultation skills while learning the importance of a professional image, hygiene, grooming, and ethics necessary to be effective in the barbering industry.
    2 credits
    Second Semester
    31-502-521
    Barber Externship Planning
    Introduction to client services in a licensed establishment. Develop your own portfolio to interview with licensed businesses to be placed in their externship location.
    1 credit
    31-502-522
    Barber Intermediate Haircutting
    Introduces a combination of haircutting techniques and tools. Demonstrate four basic haircutting techniques using shears, razor, and clippers. Perform a variety of shorthair combination cuts using finger-and-shear, comb-over-shear, shear-over-comb, and freehand techniques.
    2 credits
    31-502-523
    Barber Natural Haircare and Braiding
    Conduct hair analysis, personalizing scalp and hair treatments based on client needs; complete hair conditioning treatments; create blow-dry styles; and braid hair according to client needs.
    1 credit
    31-502-524
    Barber Chemical Texturizing
    Explore perm wraps, curvature wraps, spiral wraps, bricklay wraps, and double-tool/piggy back wraps. Practice relaxing applications, reformation curls, chemical blow-out services, and safety and sanitation related to chemical texture services.
    2 credits
    31-502-525
    Barber Advanced Techniques
    Perform haircutting techniques using shears, razor and clippers. Demonstrate shorthair combination cuts using finger-and-shear, comb-over-shear, shear-over-comb and freehand techniques. Practice skills in layering, combination cut techniques, short taper cuts, taper cut using clipper-over-comb techniques, razor cutting on short hair, and haircutting for tightly curled hair.
    2 credits
    31-502-526
    Barber State Board Review
    Review Wisconsin barbering laws and code rules in preparation for Wisconsin State Barber licensing exam. Includes prohibitive treatments, licensee responsibilities, equipment sanitation, disinfection, sterilization, and other subjects included in the practice of barbering.
    2 credits
    31-502-527
    Barber Externship
    Perform barbering services through an externship while working in a community-based licensed establishment under the supervision of a licensed barber.
    2 credits
    31-502-528
    Barber Salon Business
    Business and management principles for barbers; barbering rules, regulations, laws, and legal issues. Includes career advancement strategies and job seeking basics.
    1 credit

  • 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.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Barber career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • 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. 

  • 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

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