Online Education (graduate Programs In Culinary)

By Author: John Srob
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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

You May Qualify For Financial Aid.