Barber Certificate

Barber Photo

Are you ready to turn your passion for style and grooming into a rewarding career? The Barber Certificate at Triton College provides hands-on training, industry knowledge, and professional certification preparation to help you succeed in the field of barbering.

A Growing Industry
The demand for licensed barbers is growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for barbers, hairstylists and cosmetologists is projected to grow 8% by 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations. The median hourly wage is $18-$25 per hour with experienced professionals earning more. Top employers include salons and spas, beauty brands, media, and self-employment opportunities.

Join us at Triton College and take the first step toward a dynamic career in barbering. Your future starts here!

About Our Program
The Barber Certificate provides students with an education in the art and science of barbering. Our curriculum:

  • Prepares students for state certification as an Illinois Licensed Barber
  • Follows guidelines set by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
  • Ready students to apply for the Illinois Licensed Barber examination upon successful program completion

The Barber Certificate requires completion of 50 credit hours over the course of 15 months (5 semesters) and is designed for part-time students. With classes held in the evenings, you can earn your Barber Certificate while balancing work and personal commitments!

View video to meet our program chair, Zachary Morris:

What You’ll Learn

  • Haircutting, styling, and coloring techniques
  • Skincare, esthetics, shaving, facial hair design
  • Chemical services (perms, relaxers, and treatments)
  • Shop safety, sanitation and infection control, shop management, and business strategies

Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Barber Program, you will be able to:

  • Communicate professionally in the workplace
  • Demonstrate technical proficiency in hair cutting and styling, chemical services, product usage, skin services, and shaving
  • Create personalized haircuts that suit the client’s preference, style, and facial features
  • Demonstrate proper decontamination and infection control procedures
  • Prepare to successfully pass the Illinois Licensed Barber Exam
  • Develop critical thinking skills through dialogue and interpretation of client requests

Apply today Don’t miss your chance—space is limited, and spots are filling up quickly.

To enroll, all applicants must complete the following admission requirements:

  • Submit a Triton College Application
  • Submit applicable transcripts
  • Take placement exams or demonstrate course equivalency*
  • Complete new student orientation, designed exclusively for Barber students, in August.

*Program Prerequisites

  • Must be able to speak and understand English
  • Must be at a reading and writing level demonstrated by course equivalency or placement test of 440+ Next Gen Accuplacer, or SAT 340+, or ACT14+

The Barber Certificate is ideal for those seeking state licensure and employment in the personal care industry:

    • Total Credits: 50
    • Time to Completion: 15 months with in-person, evening classes

Course Sequence: Click HERE to view program map in the course catalog.

Attendance at an information session is ENCOURAGED in order to apply for admission to this program.
By attending an information session, you will learn about the career, the program at the college and the career pathways in the field.
For information on information session dates, times and locations, please register through our form below.

Barber Program
Information Session Registration

Apply today!
Meet with an Academic Advisor to develop a plan exclusively for you.

Learn about Financial Aid and Scholarships opportunities.

Triton College’s academic support services and campus resources include teams dedicated to advising, tutoring, mental health and wellness, research assistance, access and accommodations, and more. Our staff is committed to connecting you to the services and materials you need to succeed.

Contact Us

Zachary Morris
Program Chairperson
Office: H-103
(708) 456-0300, Ext. 3487
zacharymorris@triton.edu