Douglas Education Center
Douglas Education Center is a privately held, ACCSC-accredited post-secondary career school in Monessen, Pennsylvania, offering vocational programs in creative arts (special effects makeup, filmmaking), beauty and wellness (cosmetology, esthetics, massage therapy), and skilled trades (CDL, heavy equipment) to prospective career changers and high school graduates.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1904
- HeadquartersMonessen, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Douglas Education Center does
Douglas Education Center (DEC) is a privately held, ACCSC-accredited post-secondary career school headquartered in Monessen, Pennsylvania. The institution traces its origins to 1904 as Douglas Business College, was incorporated as Douglas School of Business Inc. on January 31, 1977, and was purchased by current CEO/President Jeffrey D. Imbrescia on January 9, 1989. Under his leadership, the school has been transformed from a single-building business and secretarial school with five employees into a multi-program career education center organized into three divisions: Creative Programs (Tom Savini's Special Make-Up Effects Program launched October 2000, and George A. Romero's Filmmaking Program re-launched August 2016), Beauty and Wellness Programs (Cosmetology, Esthetician/Nail Technologist, Esthetics, Massage Therapy, and Advanced Cosmetic Techniques), and Skilled Trades Programs (Commercial Driver's License and Heavy Equipment and CDL with Safety).
The school operates a hands-on training methodology with instructors who are described as active industry professionals, supported by Program Advisory Boards. DEC is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students and maintains a graduating cohort completion rate of 82%, well above the national average. The institution has received the maximum five-year ACCSC accreditation award and has been named an ACCSC School of Excellence for two consecutive cycles (2018 and 2024), placing it among only 20 of more than 800 ACCSC-accredited institutions to receive this distinction.
Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees (including a $50 application fee), with secondary funding from agency partnerships (Private Industry Council of Westmoreland County, Westmoreland Community Action, and the Federal Fatherhood Program) that provide grants and gap funding for CDL and Heavy Equipment programs. The school also distributes approximately $150,000 in annual institutional scholarships. DEC reaches students through campus enrollment, open house events, college recruiting, community partnerships, and an active social media presence across Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Flickr. The institution is planning to expand its skilled trades offerings with HVAC/R and Residential/Commercial Electrician programs slated for October 2026, citing AI data center buildout demand as a key driver.
Douglas Education Center firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Douglas Education Center
- Legal name
- Douglas Education Center
- Website
- https://dec.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1904
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Douglas Education Center is a privately held, ACCSC-accredited post-secondary career school in Monessen, Pennsylvania, offering vocational programs in creative arts (special effects makeup, filmmaking), beauty and wellness (cosmetology, esthetics, massage therapy), and skilled trades (CDL, heavy equipment) to prospective career changers and high school graduates.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Douglas Education Center industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vocational and Career Education
- NAICS
- Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs (EDAJAAAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Education & Training (Teaching/Instructional Design) Certifications (EDAAANAM)
Keywords
Where Douglas Education Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Monessen
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Douglas Education Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Students pay tuition for career education programs. Application fee of $50 upon submission. Financial aid is available to those who qualify, including federal student aid.
- Grant Funding Partnerships: DEC partners with outside agencies for grant funding and assisting students with gap funding needs. Partnerships with PIC and Westmoreland Community Action help fund programs like CDL and Heavy Equipment Training.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Application Fee |
| Other | Annual | Institutional Scholarships |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | CDL Program |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Douglas Education Center product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Douglas Education Center is a privately operated post-secondary career school that delivers hands-on vocational training programs in three divisions: Creative Programs (Tom Savini's Special Make-Up Effects Program and George A. Romero's Filmmaking Program), Beauty and Wellness Programs (Cosmetology, Esthetics, Esthetician/Nail Technologist, Massage Therapy, and Advanced Cosmetic Techniques), and Skilled Trades Programs (Commercial Driver's License and Heavy Equipment with CDL). Programs are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees, supplemented by institutional scholarships and grant-funded agency partnerships.
Product overview
Douglas Education Center (DEC) is a licensed and accredited post-secondary career school offering a diverse portfolio of vocational training programs. The institution operates as a multi-program career education center with three primary divisions: Creative Programs (including Tom Savini's Special Make-Up Effects Program and George A. Romero's Filmmaking Program), Beauty and Wellness Programs (Cosmetology, Esthetics, Esthetician/Nail Technologist, Massage Therapy, and Advanced Cosmetic Techniques), and Skilled Trades Programs (CDL, Heavy Equipment, and planned HVAC/R and Electrician programs). The school also maintains a Career Services Department that assists graduates with employment placement, portfolio development, and job search support. DEC has a graduation rate of 82% and has been recognized as a School of Excellence by ACCSC.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Tom Savini's Special Make-Up Effects Program A comprehensive special effects makeup training program taught by industry professional Tom Savini, covering prosthetic creation, animatronics, airbrushing, and practical effects for film and television. Designed for aspiring special effects artists pursuing careers in film and TV production.
- George A. Romero's Filmmaking Program A digital filmmaking program developed with legendary horror director George A. Romero, teaching students the craft of film production, directing, editing, and post-production. Designed for aspiring filmmakers and digital production professionals.
- Cosmetology Program A comprehensive cosmetology training program covering hair styling, coloring, nails, and beauty techniques to prepare students for licensed careers in salons and spas. Designed for individuals pursuing state licensure in cosmetology.
- Esthetician and Nail Technologist Program A combined program training students in skincare treatments, facials, hair removal, and nail care services for careers in spas and salons. Designed for individuals pursuing dual esthetics and nail technology licensure.
- Esthetics Program A skincare-focused program teaching students facials, makeup application, hair removal, and skin analysis for the beauty industry. Designed for individuals pursuing esthetics licensure.
- Massage Therapy Program A program training students in therapeutic massage techniques, anatomy, and physiology to become certified massage therapists for clinics, spas, or private practice. Designed for individuals pursuing massage therapy certification.
- Advanced Cosmetic Techniques Program An advanced program for licensed cosmetologists and estheticians offering specialized training in advanced beauty procedures; according to DEC, it is the only career school in Pennsylvania to offer this program. Designed for licensed beauty professionals seeking continuing education.
- Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Program A commercial truck driver training program offering both day and evening classes. Day program runs Monday-Thursday for seven weeks; evening program runs Tuesday-Thursday and Saturdays for ten weeks. Program is 210 hours. Designed for adults pursuing a CDL for transportation industry careers.
- Heavy Equipment and CDL with Safety Program A training program teaching students to operate various types of heavy equipment combined with CDL preparation and safety training. Designed for adults pursuing careers in construction and heavy equipment operation.
Quantifiable outcome
- 82% graduation rate - well above national average
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Douglas Education Center
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Douglas Education Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Douglas Education Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Private Industry Council (PIC) of Westmoreland CountycorePartnership with PIC, a nonprofit organization focused on employment and training programs. Together they opened a new CDL training site in Fayette County at the Joseph A. Huber facility. PIC provides funding and support for workforce development training programs, particularly for Commercial Driver License Training and Heavy Equipment Training.
- Westmoreland Community ActioncoreAgency providing services and assistance towards elimination of poverty by developing employment opportunities. Partners with DEC to provide opportunities for local community members to obtain career-focused education to maintain their role as primary earner.
- See No Evil PicturesminorProduction company that reached out to DEC's Career Services Department for makeup artist help on their indie pilot 'Ad Astra'. Student Allyson Mae worked on the production.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Douglas Education Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ECPI University: Career-focused university offering accelerated programs in healthcare, technology, and skilled trades. Comparable to DEC in operating a multi-program career education model with similar hands-on training methodology.
- Empire Beauty Schools: Multi-campus cosmetology specialty school with similar hands-on beauty education model. Directly competes with DEC's Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Advanced Cosmetic Techniques programs for beauty career students.
- Aveda Institutes: Network of cosmetology and esthetics schools affiliated with the Aveda brand, focusing on premium beauty and wellness education. Directly comparable to DEC's beauty and wellness programs, particularly in esthetics and advanced cosmetic techniques.
- Universal Technical Institute: Career education provider specializing in skilled trades including automotive, diesel, motorcycle, and marine technician training. Directly comparable to DEC's CDL and Heavy Equipment programs as a focused technical/skilled trades education provider.
- Cinema Makeup School: Los Angeles-based specialty school focused on film and television makeup artistry including prosthetics and special effects. Directly comparable to DEC's Tom Savini program as a specialty SFX makeup training institution.
- Make-Up Designory (MUD): Specialty school focused on professional makeup artistry including film/TV special effects makeup education. Most direct peer to DEC's Tom Savini Special Make-Up Effects Program in terms of SFX-focused curriculum.
- Lincoln Tech: Multi-campus career school offering hands-on training in skilled trades (automotive, HVAC, electrical), healthcare, and other vocational programs. Comparable to DEC in operating a multi-program career education model with similar hands-on training methodology and employer-aligned curriculum.
- Paul Mitchell Schools: Network of cosmetology schools named after the famous brand, offering beauty and barbering education. Directly comparable to DEC's beauty/wellness programs in licensing-track cosmetology training.
- Diesel Driving Academy: Specialty CDL training school with multiple locations offering accelerated commercial driver training. Directly comparable to DEC's CDL program in commercial driver licensing education.
- New England Tractor Trailer Training School: Specialty CDL training school with multiple campuses offering accelerated commercial driver licensing. Directly comparable to DEC's CDL program in commercial driver licensing education.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Douglas Education Center social profiles
Digital presenceDouglas Education Center compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Douglas Education Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Douglas Education Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Douglas Education Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Douglas Education Center M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Douglas Education Center
What does Douglas Education Center do?
Douglas Education Center is a privately operated post-secondary career school that delivers hands-on vocational training programs in three divisions: Creative Programs (Tom Savini's Special Make-Up Effects Program and George A. Romero's Filmmaking Program), Beauty and Wellness Programs (Cosmetology, Esthetics, Esthetician/Nail Technologist, Massage Therapy, and Advanced Cosmetic Techniques), and Skilled Trades Programs (Commercial Driver's License and Heavy Equipment with CDL). Programs are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees, supplemented by institutional scholarships and grant-funded agency partnerships.
Is Douglas Education Center a public or private company?
Douglas Education Center is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Douglas Education Center founded?
Douglas Education Center was founded in 1904. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Douglas Education Center based?
Douglas Education Center is headquartered in Monessen, United States, in the North America region.
How does Douglas Education Center make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are grant Funding Partnerships.
Who are Douglas Education Center's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ECPI University, Empire Beauty Schools, Aveda Institutes, Universal Technical Institute, Cinema Makeup School, Make-Up Designory (MUD), Lincoln Tech, Paul Mitchell Schools, Diesel Driving Academy and New England Tractor Trailer Training School.
Does Douglas Education Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for Douglas Education Center.
What industry is Douglas Education Center in?
Douglas Education Center's product category is Vocational and Career Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAAAJ, Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs, with a secondary code of EDAAANAM, Education & Training (Teaching/Instructional Design) Certifications. Its NAICS code is 6115 and its SIC code is 8200.