Associate's
Degree in Culinary Arts
Students enrolled in associate's
degree programs in culinary arts explore topics in food preparation, food
service management and global cuisine. Many associate's degree programs include
an externship where students can apply their knowledge to real-life restaurant
settings. These 2-year programs are typically found at technical schools,
community colleges or culinary institutes. The American Culinary Federation
(ACF) accredits some culinary arts programs and provides guidelines for the
curriculum.
There are several types of
associate's degrees available in this field, including an Associate of Science
and Associate of Applied Science. The Associate of Science programs provide
students with a solid foundation in cooking and culinary management and are an option
for those who want to continue their education at a 4-year college or
university. Associate of Applied Science programs are a terminal degree
anchored in culinary management and budgeting. Applicants into these programs
must have a high school diploma or GED.
Course
Topics
Coursework in the culinary arts
associate's degree programs examine cooking methods, kitchen organization and
food selection. Much of the coursework is completed in kitchen environments.
Common courses may include:
- Food safety and sanitation
- Culinary management
- Nutrition
- Menu development
- Culinary terminology
Popular
Career Options
Graduates of culinary arts
associate's degree programs may qualify for jobs in a number of foodservice and
hospitality facilities, including restaurants, cafeterias or hotels. They may
start as assistants or as food preparation workers before moving up to
positions with titles such as:
- Chef
- Line cook
- Food preparation supervisor
- Pastry chef
- Personal chef
- Restaurant cook
- Sous chef
Continuing
Education and Certification Information
Associate's degree holders may
choose to gain entry-level employment or further their education through the
completion of a bachelor's degree program. A 4-year program provides advanced
culinary training in food styling, decorative works and restaurant operations.
Certification isn't mandatory, but
the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), stated that certification may give
applicants an advantage when seeking a job. The ACF certifies culinary arts
professionals at various levels. Students who successfully complete certain
ACF-accredited associate's degree programs may be able to sit for certification
exams to become Certified Culinarians.
Because it is important to get hands on training when you are pursuing your associate’s degree in the culinary arts, it’s a good idea to apply to schools with well respected programs, like the Culinary Institute of America or Le Cordon Bleu Schools.
The great thing about earning this type of a degree in the restaurant and hospitality industry is that you will be able to achieve positions with more responsibility and a more desirable salary. With this degree you’ll learn how to prepare different international dishes, as well as solidifying the basics of baking, nutrition, menu creation, kitchen management and food safety. You can research more of the educational requirements for being accepted to a training program by visiting our culinary arts career page.
1. Type of degree
The degree type you wish to gain may impact which
Culinary Arts school you opt for. Some cooking schools merely provide pretty
customized culinary arts degree courses while another may have numerous forms
of degree stages such as associate, bachelors, masters, certification or even
doctorate programs for you to pick from. Therefore, ahead of which culinary
arts school you choose, you need to have determined the degree type you wish to
engage in. Then, do away with the culinary art schools that don't present the
type of degree from your list. This will help to filter out the best culinary
arts school and make it simple for you.
2. The culinary arts school credibility and popularity
Your culinary degree or diploma will figure out your
career future in the food industry; hence you need to ensure your degree or
certification is from the culinary arts school that has the highest reputation
and creditability. Holding a degree from school that has good track record and
well-known in the job sector would make your interview much more smoothly and
boost your possibilities to secure the culinary job prospect when you utilize
it to begin your culinary career after graduation.
3. The recognition of culinary arts college
There are a lot of education frauds out there and
students need to be certain to remain at a distance from them. One method to
know your degree's value in the workplace is by applying into a culinary arts
program offered by the school that is fully approved by an accrediting
authorities recognized by the Education Department. This is extremely vital to
your potential career and your educational investment.
4. The facilities in School
Culinary and cooking is definitely a practical subject
that consists of a lot of hands-on tasks. Consequently, the best culinary arts
school should be well-equipped with adequate kitchen amenities for you to
exercise your lessons. Prior to your enrolling into the degree program of
culinary arts of your selected school, you should check out the school to make
certain the school has the essential features for your practical assignments.
