Barberpedia Curriculum
Art • Science • Business — Competency-based barber education
Barberpedia: A National-Scale, Data-Driven Barber Curriculum
This curriculum document demonstrates program structure, measurable student outcomes, instructional hours, assessment strategy, standards alignment, and continuous improvement practices. It is designed for regulator and board review — with transparency and traceability backed by Barber Analytics.
Program Overview
Program: Barberpedia Professional Barber Certificate
Delivery: Blended — Online theory + supervised hands-on labs
Target credential: Preparation for state barber licensing exams; CEU eligible modules available
| Program Length | 12–16 weeks (90 hours typical; scalable) |
|---|---|
| Instructional Hours | Theory: ~40 hrs · Practical/Lab: ~40–50 hrs · Business: ~10 hrs |
| Assessment Types | Practical evaluations, written exams, projects, portfolio review |
| Standards Mapped | State Board exam domains · OSHA · Milady Standard Barbering (mapped per module) |
What Reviewers Look For
- Clear, measurable learning outcomes (program & module level)
- Hours & time allocation for theory vs practical
- Assessment strategy and pass criteria
- Standards alignment & compliance (state boards, OSHA)
- Instructor qualifications & quality assurance mechanisms
Program Learning Outcomes
(Measurable statements using action verbs — how students demonstrate competency)
- Execute core haircutting and finishing techniques to professional standards with ≤ 10% measurable error rate in practical assessments.
- Assess hair and scalp health and select appropriate services/products ensuring client safety and regulatory compliance.
- Manage client interactions and shop operations applying ethical and business practices to deliver consistent service and generate measurable client retention metrics.
- Demonstrate professional readiness as measured by placement metrics: time-to-placement, employer satisfaction, and first-year retention.
Scope & Sequence (Modules, Hours, & Alignment)
Each module includes module-level objectives, mapped Milady chapters (for licensing prep), instructional hours, assessment type, and analytics tags.
| Module | Pillar | Instructional Hours | Assessment | Standards / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haircutting Fundamentals | Art | 18 (12 practical • 6 theory) | Practical exam; rubric-based scoring | Milady Ch. X–Y (map here); state exam: cutting |
| Styling & Finishing | Art | 10 (8 practical • 2 theory) | Portfolio & live demo | Styling competency; product safety |
| Creative Adaptation | Art | 6 (project) | Creative project assessment | Design & client consultation |
| Hair & Scalp Anatomy | Science | 8 (6 theory • 2 practical) | Written quiz & practical ID | Health & contraindications |
| Chemistry of Hair | Science | 8 (lab + lecture) | Lab simulation & short exam | Chemical safety protocols |
| Sanitation & Safety | Science | 8 (practical) | Checklist & observed compliance | OSHA compliance; infection control |
| Customer Service & Ethics | Business | 6 | Roleplay & reflection | Professional conduct; documentation |
| Shop Management | Business | 6 | Case study: menu & schedule | Basic bookkeeping; scheduling |
| Marketing & Career Growth | Business | 6 | Campaign plan & pitch | Client acquisition metrics |
Representative Module (Detailed)
Module: Haircutting Fundamentals & Blending — Example detailed breakdown for reviewers
Module Objectives
- Execute at least three standard clipper-over-comb techniques with correct tension and hand positioning.
- Produce two fade styles with clean transitions and appropriate guard selection.
- Demonstrate safe tool handling and workstation setup meeting sanitation protocol.
Assessment Rubric (summary)
- Technique (40%) — accuracy of cutting lines, blending quality
- Speed & flow (20%) — completed within expected time window
- Sanitation & safety (20%) — correct procedures followed
- Client communication / professionalism (20%)
Analytics Tags
#cutting #fade #precision #practical_hours
Assessment Strategy & Competency Verification
Assessment methods combine formative checks and summative competence gates. Passing criteria are explicit and documented in student records.
| Assessment Type | Purpose | Pass Threshold | Record / Analytics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Exam (rubric) | Verify hands-on competency | ≥70% per rubric | Stored & timestamped in Barber Analytics |
| Written Quiz | Confirm theoretical knowledge | ≥70% | Auto-scored & reported |
| Portfolio / Project | Assess creative & planning skills | Instructor review (pass/fail with feedback) | Portfolio linked to student profile |
| Workplace Simulation | Assess workflow & client handling | Instructor rubric | Recorded observations |
Instructor Qualifications & Governance
Instructor credentials and governance policies ensure instructional quality and program integrity.
- Minimum instructor qualifications: Licensed barber with ≥3 years industry experience and teaching credential or documented instructor training.
- Lead instructor: Responsible for final assessments, remediation plans, and compliance reporting.
- Governance: Curriculum committee reviews content annually; QA audits every 6 months using Barber Analytics metrics.
Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement
Barberpedia applies a data-driven cycle: collect → analyze → act → verify.
- Collect: Student outcomes, assessment data, placement metrics, employer feedback (via surveys).
- Analyze: Identify modules with low pass rates, high attrition, or employer-identified skill gaps.
- Act: Revise learning activities, increase lab hours, update assessments, retrain instructors.
- Verify: Re-assess cohorts and monitor improvements via Barber Analytics dashboards.
Policies, Compliance & Student Support
- Attendance & Remediation — Minimum attendance for labs is 85%; remediation opportunities provided for failed assessments.
- Safety Compliance — All labs comply with OSHA and local public health guidance; safety forms required for chemical labs.
- Student Support — Tutoring, mentorship, and career services (job placement support) are available.
- Data Privacy — Student records stored securely; analytics outputs are anonymized in public reporting.
Appendices & Supporting Documents
Attach or link to: Full module rubrics, Milady chapter crosswalk, detailed instructor CVs, sample assessment forms, pilot study data (if applicable).
Suggested attachments for board packet:
- Full competency rubrics (per module)
- Milady Standard Barbering crosswalk (chapter → module)
- Pilot report / early Barber Analytics findings
- Instructor CVs & qualification evidence
- Student handbook & safety protocols
