Culinary Arts Degrees

People who don’t know much about the food and hospitality industry often believe that a culinary arts degree is a simple thing. You attend a culinary school, you take classes and you come out as a chef. Culinary students and professionals know better than this, however. There are several courses of study that a culinary student can take, and different types of degrees. It all depends on a student’s goal. Here are some different degrees that a culinary student can pursue:

Associate’s degree - The Associates degree in culinary arts tends to be very general, but it can be a great way to start a career in the food or hospitality industry. This is a two-year degree, and for students who aren’t sure which direction to go but still want to get their higher education in the industry started, it’s just right. Many students find that this degree is enough to get their careers started, and then they build on experience after that. Many others go on to higher and more specific degrees.

Bachelor’s degree - Things start to get more serious and more specific with a Bachelor’s degree in culinary arts. Those who are interested in management positions in the food and hospitality industry give themselves a huge boost when they attain this type of degree. Students who are following a specific course of study such as pastry cooking or restaurant management can get Bachelor’s degrees in these different fields. For many students, this degree is enough to launch them into lucrative careers.

Master’s degree - Not all culinary schools offer Master’s degrees, but many do. It can often be tempting for students to stop at a Bachelor’s or even Associate’s degree because of the opportunities available for people with those, but a Master’s degree has obvious long-term benefits. Master’s degrees are by nature specific, but tend to get into the real mechanics of running a food industry business. If cooking is your only passion and you don’t care about moving up to top management positions, then you probably don’t need this degree.

Non-degree certificates - When you attend a culinary arts school, you don’t necessarily have to be going for a degree. Many culinary schools offer short programs that award diplomas or certificates upon completion. These can be helpful for people who are seeking easier access to entry-level positions in the food industry, or people who are looking to branch out in their culinary knowledge. For instance, someone who specializes in Italian cuisine might take a short course in pastry cooking to add a little more variety to their resume.

Culinary arts degrees can open many doors for those who are looking to make careers for themselves in the food and hospitality industry. Students often start out pursuing general culinary studies and from there they find their niches and attain the degrees that they know will fit best with their goals. Culinary schools and colleges have counselors just like any other institutions of learning, and it’s often a good idea to seek their help when trying to decide what type of degree to pursue. Counselors can often help you ascertain which direction you want to go by asking some pertinent questions.