Links to other information of interest

This is our actual school building with lots of free parking at the door

How long does the program take?--I don't want to be away from my family for longer than I have to...

As many of our students have been from out-of-town, and out of state, they have requested we design a program that takes as few days as possible.  We have created an intensive program that still meets the State standards.  Our training exceeds the minimum 450 hour requirement of the state by offering 600 hours of training.   By extending our school days and expanding content we are helping our students be more successful in practice after graduation.  In general, the program takes about 75 8-hour in-class days, or 60 10-hour in class days but according to State requirements can not take less than 11 weeks nor more then 30.  Students may determine what days and times will work for their schedule if they elect the e-Learning option.  If you would like to elect our weekend training program,  you can be on your way to a new career and not leave your day job!  If you have special needs contact us via e-mail to see what could be arranged.  We are committed to working hard to make quality electrology training accessible to ALL students with an interest to train. 

Our Classroom @ RREI

How big are the classes?  I don't want to be lost in a crowd...

To preserve the integrity of the educational program we limit the number of students per session.  Small class sizes help each student become a superior electrologist, not just an acceptable one.  As many of our students have little to no background in electrology, and some have been out of school for many years,  we ensure that each student receives the utmost amount of personal attention from our staff regardless of if they choose the e-Learning program or the traditional program.  If you would like a very individualized program with the most personal attention delivered right to you and you prefer to work at your own pace we suggest you select the e-learning option as the traditional program must progress on schedule ready or not!

We want you to be comfortable during your stay with us so we try to take care of all the little details so you can concentrate on learning. 

Our break room is equipped with the world of snacks, a fountain soda machine, coffee, tea, and bottled water for our students to enjoy.

Who teaches the classes?

Our program is also completely  unique in that all classes are taught in very small groups by Dr. Hilary Bennett.  Dr. Bennett Ph.D, RE, CPE, holds a doctorate in education and is a Registered Electrologist, Certified Professional Electrologist, Licensed Electrology Instructor, Licensed k-12 Teacher and K-12 School Administrator in Wisconsin.  Unlike other programs that are designed and or taught by individuals without training in the best methods to help adult students succeed, or are based on inherited or purchased curriculum; our program stands out as comprehensive and engaging--learning should be fun and relevant!   Dr. Bennett is an acknowledged education expert and we can assure you there isn't any other electrology program like ours anywhere!

Dr. Bennett designed this program from the ground up after careful review of all other available programs.  She specifically created this program to train electrologists that are business savvy and technically superior while cutting out the busy work and wasted time.  100% of students trained by Dr. Bennett passed their state board exams in 2005!  She believes that graduation from our program should mean something.  Not everyone is accepted and not everyone graduates from our program.  Those who have a passion for hair removal and electrolysis and put forth their best efforts do.  As such, we preserve the integrity and prestige of our training and our graduates will be recognized as having superior training.   It is our mission to provide graduates with the training and the tools they need to succeed and feel that they should get what they paid for: EXCELLENT training--not just an empty bank account and hours lost and a business that never takes off or closes quickly!

If you turn right from our front entry vestibule you are at our reception desk and retail area shown above.

If you turn left, you are in our comfortable waiting area with its fireplace and fountain.

If I'm accepted, what supplies do I need for school?

Each student needs:  A great attitude and a sense of humor.  We will provide use of a white long-sleeve lab coat, if you require a special or unusual size you may wish to bring your own.  You will also need  paper, pens, pencils with erasers, highlighters, and to wear professional dress with closed toe shoes. 

As we are concerned about your long term health and proper healthy body mechanics, we do not use ergonomically devastating magnifying lamps or reader-type magnifiers.  We want to be sure you can work as long as you want to without injuring your body and visualizing as comfortably and accurately as possible. 

We do require the student to provide their own Orascopes (surgical loupes for magnification).  We strongly encourage students to arrange to be fitted for their custom scopes at least 5 weeks BEFORE classes begin so they can start from day one with their opticals.  With your 50% student discount these will cost on average $800 (Orascoptic offers several no interest payment plans).  As this is a tool you will need to work on your own after graduation just like your own personal epilator is, we do not provide these for students.  As they are custom fitted to your face measurements, you will visualize accurately only if you have your own pair rather than trying to borrow a pair.  They feature a 45 day after receipt return policy so if you decide they are not for you they can be returned.  If you are willing to sign a waiver, you are welcome to attempt classes without Orascopes using other cheapie visualization methods.  It's not that you can't do electrolysis without them, it's more that you won't want to once you have them!  Huge working distance so you aren't smothering your client and aren't harming your body and no eye strain make for a very, very long career.

All other supplies are provided by the school at no additional charge.  

Our relaxing waiting area leads to the client side of the practice and treatment rooms around the corner.

I'm from out of town, do you have any leads on housing for me?

We maintain a list (click the word list to open the link to the list) of private homes and apartments.  It also lists local motels that students have gotten discounted long-term room rates from.  We can not arrange for student housing but will do our best to assist you so that you have a safe and welcoming place to call your home-away-from-home.

The hall to our 6 treatment rooms (left) a few examples of rooms are shown below.

What are the entrance requirements? 

According to Wisconsin State Regulations, applicants must have a high school diploma or GED or must be at least 18 years of age and able to pass an ability to benefit test.  They must disclose if they have ever been convicted of a crime.  RREI requires that students have a demonstratable interest in the profession, initiative and a willingness to learn with basic academic ability, and the manual dexterity and eyesight this meticulous field requires.

Each state has its own requirements that may differ greatly from Wisconsin's.  Does your state require licensing to be an electrologist?  Click here to find out.

We would add that successful students are mature, self-motivating, and have excellent study skills and a SENSE OF HUMOR.

Treatment room

I am from the local  area, will you still train me?

Of course!    While we are always looking for superior employees, you must understand that by agreeing to train you does not mean you are guaranteed a job with us.  When we hire someone they must have the personality fit for River Rock in addition to having the best of the best of the best skill level. 

We believe the world should be overpopulated with electrologists and welcome friendly competition as it truly benefits everyone.

Treatment Room

The program sure sounds exactly like what I'm looking for but how much does it cost?

The total cost for our 600 hour program is $9,121and includes all of your textbooks, supplies and student kit.  If you require additional hours or less hours to satisfy your state requirements we will adjust the tuition accordingly.  We do not charge any additional fees for designing a custom program for out-of-state-students if they need 600 hours of training or less.  The application and enrollment package fee is $25.  The total cost is:  $9,121.  We offer discounts for groups or family members and a referral program call for details. 

We utilize state-of-the-art epilators from Dectro capable of doing all modalities of electrolysis and fully stocked treatment rooms.

What type of equipment do we train on?

We utilize a variety of equipment depending on the modality or type of lessons we are studying.  We employ state-of-the-art epilators featuring the Apilus Senior II capable of performing all three modalities--you won't find antique equipment here!  We utilize dry heat sterilizers and ultrasonic cleaners in addition to our ergonomically advantageous treatment and operator chairs.

If you have a particular epilator you know you will be working on after graduation, you may bring it with you and we will customize your training utilizing your machine ensuring you are ready to work effectively right after graduation. 

Our graduates are knowledgeable and are able to skillfully work with any machine after graduation including completely manual and computerized machines. 

If you plan to use a specific epilator we are happy to train you on it so you'll be ready to start work as soon as possible after graduation.  We will work with you to ensure your training is relevant to your particular needs and situation.  To see our equipment specifications click here.

Austa Clark Memorial Grant Program

Hildegard Hodges Memorial Grant Program

ACE Grant

Ripple Effect Professional Pool Renewal Grant

River Rock Patriots Grant Program

Do you offer any types of financial aid?

We are pleased to be working with Sallie Mae Student Loan Corporation's Direct to Consumer Loan Program.   For information on this program please contact Dr. Bennett directly.  We offer several other grant programs and we offer a payment plan for tuition costs. 

We also accept credit cards and your company maybe able to offer you special financing for a lump sum amount. Contact their customer service to inquire.  Also be sure to check MBNA for their loan offerings:  http://www.mbna.com/loans/money_4college.html they often have great rates.  We recommend you check with your local bank and credit unions to see what options maybe available to you. 

We also offer a variety of payment plans to help make schooling affordable for everyone.  Click here for payment plan examples  

We offer the ACE Grant for all students as well as the Austa Clark Memorial Grant Program for former public or private school teachers, and the Hildegard Hodges Memorial Grant Program for former nurses or allied health professionals.  If you are a military service person or dependent you may be eligible for the River Rock Patriots Grant Program. 

If you will be working for an existing electrology practice after graduation or replacing an existing electrologist (for example if you are going to take over your mother's electrology practice as she is retiring) we also offer the Ripple Effect Professional Pool Renewal Grant.  Grants can be up to $2,000 and never need to be repaid as they are scholarship awards. 

Our client side hand washing and treatment supply station

What do I need to do to get started?

Download an application form.  Complete your application and submit it no later than 4 weeks before the start of the next class session for the traditional program along with your  application and enrollment package fee ($25).  If you are interested in e-Learning then submit your application any time.  If accepted you will be notified and sent an enrollment agreement.  If you want to be considered for transfer credit, be sure to include current copies of all transcripts and other documentation along with your application. 

Once accepted, complete the Student Contract and return it with your tuition deposit (1/2 of the tuition due) before the start of the next class session, or before online training begins for the e-Learning program.  When your student contract and deposit is received, your position in class is confirmed.  The remainder of tuition is due the first day of class onsite for the traditional program or online work for e-Learning.  If you opt to take a financing plan, your first monthly payment is due with your student contract not the full tuition deposit.  Click here for an Application for Admission form you can print out at home then fill out and send in.  It is in PDF form so you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free program you can click here to download. 

The sterilizing and sanitation station

When can I begin!?

The Class Schedules  for all onsite programs can be accessed here. 

Please note that our e-Learning option is conducted with open enrollment, that means you can start the theory at any time and all practicals are individually scheduled so the course schedule does not apply to your application status.  Click here for an Application for Admission form you can print out at home then fill out and send in. 

It is in PDF form so you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free program you can click here to download.  .  

This is our Computer Lab and Library @ RREI.  We are equipped with notebook computers and DVD players for student use.  Our building has wireless internet connectivity--bring your laptop if you have one!

I'm skeptical about doing e-Learning I've heard online learning doesn't "work" how is it possible to learn without sitting in a classroom?

According to US News and World Report 10/15/2001 edition, author Margaret Loftus, shows us that "there are individuals who actually prefer to interact with teachers and fellow students online. In a real (traditional) classroom, a few students may dominate the discussions, and shy individuals don't stand a chance.  By contrast, both the pushy and shy can easily speak up online. And because E-students tend to reflect more before participating, their viewpoints often contain more logic and coherence than those expressed in campus-based classrooms. Says Mahony, "People are extremely open; they're not overprotective of themselves." Just like anywhere else on the Web, says Syracuse's DeRossi, "the whole faceless thing helps people [reveal] problems that they wouldn't tell their best friend."

With instant messaging, conference calls, and e-mail you have access to your teacher virtually 24/7 not just during class.  You have the ability to master the material rather then just get through it because you will work at your own pace.  You will receive more personal one-on-one attention because you won't get lost in a group, your instructor spends time working just with you whenever you need it.  With really fun games and interesting interactive activities you won't be bored and drift off during class.  Our scheduling tools help you stay on time and on target--a nice advantage for those who tend to procrastinate! 

E-learning allows our students to come to campus much better prepared so they feel less stressed out.  They don't get thrown in to doing treatments and seeing clients before they even know what the concepts are and get overwhelmed.  This makes e-Learning much less stressful then trying to be immersed in learning everything all at once like many traditional programs do.

Treatment Rooms 

What about this Multiple Needle thing?  Is it a modality?

Multiple needle electrolysis was developed by Henry Kree in 1916 as a way to help speed up the galvanic electrolysis--the only method (also called modality) of electro-epilation at that time as it took up to six minutes PER hair.  The probes (also called needles) hang from wires suspended from a rack above the client.  Thus if you were doing face work you would have 16 needles suspended over your face.  It is definitely not a common method nationwide but you'd still see it occasionally.  You can get GREAT results with any modality as long as you are a skilled operator.

It is not a modality, it is a technique or machine for delivering a modality.  It is generally used for delivering the galvanic modality because most modern Blend applications are 4-25 seconds so the multiple insertion time would be rather wasted and not a time saver.  Galvanic on the multiple needle machines takes between 2-6+ minutes per hair of current delivery.  Thermolysis the third modality and is a much faster delivery, sometimes a fraction of a second so it wouldn't make sense to deliver it with this method.  Much like a mini-van is a type of vehicle not the only way to get the kids to school and if you can drive a Honda you'd get the hang of a Ford pretty easily. 

As all manufacturers have CEASED production of multiple needle machines, with the exception of one very small manufacturer, students are obviously extremely limited as to what modern multiple needle (MN) machines are available on the market and as such; we do not typically train on the multiple needle technique of galvanic any longer since they generally will not be using that older technology in actual practice.  We do of course utilize the more modern single needle galvanic techniques.  If you plan to use a particular multiple needle capable machine (or any other epilator) we are happy to train you on it so you'll be ready to start work as soon as possible after graduation.  We will work with you to ensure your training is relevant to your particular needs and situation.  To see our equipment specifications click here.

We have a large very full supply room with everything one would need for treatments and a washer and dryer for clinic needs.

I'm not a computer whiz, how much do I need to know to do online learning?

This is an important question!  For online theory work you need access to a computer that has a windows operating system (like XP, or Vista, etcetera--if you only have MAC access call the Institute to see what compatibility issues you would face).  You need a CD-ROM drive and speakers or headphones so you can hear sound.  You also need a high speed internet connection such as DSL or cable internet access.  You will need Microsoft Word, the word processing program it comes preinstalled on many computers.

The skills you would need are the ability to send and receive e-mail and to open and save files to your computer.  You need to be able to follow written and oral directions.  The rest we have excellent tutorials to guide you in learning.  We have had students who were using their very first computer and were in their 50's but with patience, a great sense of humor, and a willingness to learn they did great in our e-Learning program.

Just off the classroom we have two restrooms for student use.  Our facility is wheelchair accessible.

I'm in my 50's+ and haven't been in school for years is it too late to start a career in electrolysis?

Goodness no!  We have had successful students from 18 years old right out of high school to people in their 60's after a full career and home life who have wanted to try something new!  The average electrologist comes to the profession 35-45 years old with a strong history of work experience, often in the business world, teaching, cosmetology, or allied health such as nursing.  Age is never an impediment to the desire to work hard and learn something new.  Even if it has been forever since you were in school, you will find in a few lessons you are right back in the swing of things, now with all that life experience to assist you even more.

To ensure we are compliant with HIPPA standards, we have a secured reception desk with records kept in locked storage.

I'm a male, how come when I look online at all the sites I only see ladies in the field--will you train me?

While the field today is dominated by females, many of the "experts" in the field are men.  Michael Bono, Fino Gior, Wisconsin's own Dr. James Shuster, and Arthur Hinkel all helped to define the field as we know it and are male.  There are definitely practicing male electrologists so you would not be alone in the field it is rather like nursing and dental hygiene, it just happens that many of the technicians are female.  We are happy to train male students and have done so successfully.  Your gender or gender identity is not an issue for us at River Rock. 

I'm already a licensed nurse/dental hygienist/cosmetologists/massage therapist, do I have to retake all the basics--has human anatomy really changed in the last 10 years?

Unlike some programs, we have carefully calculated the actual hours and crafted resulting time appropriate lessons for each of the required subject areas.  Instead of just covering a textbook and claiming to do all studies simultaneously we have broken each area into specific lessons and activities. 

Thus for each student we can evaluate their prior training and match those items that apply to state requirements and offer you transfer credit for them. This reduces your training hours as well as your tuition for the program--we don't expect you to pay for hours you aren't contracted for.  Courses must be a very close match to state requirements, have adequate documentation of completion such as a transcript and hourly breakdown of the training, and current verifiable contact information for the training facility.  We will still cover the basic information for these areas so your knowledge is refreshed and updated, but you would not be responsible for the ancillary materials and lessons someone without prior training would be.