By the time you’re pursuing a Bachelors
degree from a culinary school it’s usually because the culinary career you have
in mind now includes management. Maybe you’re fresh out of a Bachelors degree,
or perhaps you’ve been a career chef or baker and now wish to answer your
calling for a job at the culinary management level. Restaurant and hotel
management require extra levels of education and course work beyond that
focused on cooking and even kitchen supervision.
Many state and private universities
offer one or more graduate level hospitality and/or restaurant management
degrees.
Where
You’ll Find Bachelors Degrees in Culinary Arts College
Explore the graduate degree options
in culinary arts through universities. These institutions are really prepared
to offer the coursework necessary for a bachelors degree. Career-driven
culinary schools usually offer diploma, Associates and Bachelors, but are not
prepared to educate professionals beyond cooking and culinary skills and only
the most basic management levels.
Be prepared to consider programs offered
on-campus in traditional settings, as well as those offered in online programs.
Online
Bachelors Degrees in Culinary Arts and Restaurant/Hotel Management
Most Bachelors degrees are less
skills-oriented and much more theory and academics driven. By the time you
reach a Bachelors degree in a culinary arts college you should already have the
necessary industry skills – baking and pastry, general cooking and culinary
arts – even business skills if that is your ilk. But Bachelors degrees are
about pulling together the sometime disparate elements and providing direction,
short-term and long-term planning and development, financial and growth
strategies.
In the food service industry a
student in a Bachelors degree program might learn some or all of the following:
- Nutrition and Food science
- Human Resource Management in a Hospitality Setting
- Cost Control in Hospitality Settings
- Quality Improvement
Jobs
for Bachelors Degree Culinary Pros
In most locations nationally and
internationally the hospitality and restaurant industries continue to grow.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics grads with degrees will be promoted
far more quickly than those without and jobs in larger resorts and hotels are
solid career bets. Hedge your bets, too, by considering jobs at
convention-driven resorts or those that cater to high-dollar patrons, or those
relatively unswayed by economic yo-yoing. Restaurant management is always
solid—food never goes out of style.
Shop for schools that provide career
placement assistance. Do you have the opportunity to engage in paid or unpaid
internships or externships? A school’s industry connections, both far and wide,
can make the difference when it comes time to recommend grads for entry- and
mid-level restaurant management jobs.
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
For many, an associate degree in culinary arts can be considered a terminal degree. Students take core and elective courses in liberal arts, science and mathematics, in addition to learning about sanitation and cleanliness standards, food preparation, kitchen mechanics and cooking principles. There are generally no specific education prerequisites needed to enroll in this type of program.Program Coursework
Associate degree-seeking students will gain practical cooking skills by participating in labs and internships. Many students may also gain experience working in their school's dining hall or cafeteria. Topics of study in a 2-year culinary arts program often include:- Sauces, broths and stocks
- American, classical and global cuisines
- Fish and meats
- Garde manger
- Brunch and breakfast cooking
- Desserts and baked goods
Popular Career Options
Graduates of an associate degree program can go on to work in restaurants, hotels, medical facilities or schools. They may also be able to go into business for themselves as professional caterers or personal cooks. Other job titles might include:- Line cook
- Sous chef
- Kitchen supervisor
- Food and beverage manager
Continuing Education and Certification Information
After earning a cooking degree, graduates could seek to participate in a paid apprenticeship program, which may last for a few years. They also might pursue certification through the American Culinary Federation. This professional organization offers over 10 credentials, including the entry-level Certified Culinarian. In order to qualify, applicants must meet education and work experience requirements and pass practical and written exams. Certifications are valid for five years and are renewable with continuing education credits.Bachelor's Degree in Culinary Arts
In a bachelor's degree program, students learn the same techniques as in an associate degree program. They also examine topics in business and restaurant management. Additionally, culinary arts majors gain a general education foundation, which often covers business mathematics, communication, computers, science, composition and psychology. Students also might have an opportunity to concentrate in a particular subfield, such as nutrition, pastries or baking.Education Prerequisites
Individuals interested in enrolling in this type of bachelor's degree program might need practical cooking experience, which can be achieved through volunteer or work experiences. A recommendation letter might also be needed. Before beginning classes, students might need to take an educational placement test.Program Coursework
In a bachelor's degree program, cooking students often learn to speak Spanish, French or Italian, and they might participate in a travel abroad experience. Additionally, they may be able to take part in up to three internships while learning about concepts such as the following:- Gastronomy and food history
- Restaurant legalities and regulatory concerns
- Cost control and purchasing
- Menu planning
- Wine and food pairings
- Floral arrangement design
- Personnel management
