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Culinary Arts

62 Credit Associate Degree

The Culinary Arts Associate Degree program is for learners who are passionate about food. If you are interested in becoming a professional cook, chef, baker, pastry chef, institutional cook, kitchen assistant, or other culinary professional, then this program is for you. Learners will have the opportunity to practice and apply skills learned in cooking methods, baking, sanitation, menu planning, nutrition, dining room operations, fine dining, cost control and management. Restaurant professionals work long hours on their feet, multi-task and interact with the customer to provide an excellent dining experience. Learners will hone the skills necessary for developing and creating dishes that are visually appealing and full of flavor. Potential occupations include: Prep Cook, Line Cook, Garde Manger, Sous Chef, Chef, Head Cook, First Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Staff, Banquet Chef, Catering Manager and Baker.

Approximate Cost

$13,222
Tuition: $12132 , Books: $1090

Starting Salary

$25,370–$29,120
Average, according to Economic Modeling Specialists International

Financial Aid

Available
Get Started

The application takes just a few minutes to complete.

Availability

Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.

100%
Wausau
20-30%
Antigo
20-30%
Medford
20-30%
Phillips
20-30%
Spencer
20-30%
Wittenberg
20-30%
Online

* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.

Outcomes

Graduates will be able to…

  • Apply principles of nutrition
  • Demonstrate culinary skills
  • Analyze and manage food service financial information
  • Plan menus
  • Relate food service operations to sustainability
  • Apply principles of safety and sanitation in food service operation

Careers

Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:

  • Baker
  • Catering Manager
  • Banquet Chef
  • First Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Staff
  • Head Cook
  • Chef
  • Sous Chef
  • Garde-Manger
  • Line Cook
  • Prep Cook

Courses

The Culinary Arts Associate Degree is a 62 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.

First Term

SANITATION FOR FOOD SERVICE OPERATIONS 1.00
CULINARY FUNDAMENTALS 4.00
BAKING FUNDAMENTALS 2.00
BREAKFAST CUISINE 1.00
MID-DAY MEALS 1.00
COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES 1.00
WAIT STAFF TRAINING 1.00
COLLEGE 101 1.00
MATH WITH BUSINESS APPLICATIONS 3.00
COLLEGE MATHEMATICS 3.00

Second Term

NUTRITION 2.00
SOUP & STOCK PRODUCTION 2.00
MEAT & FISH ESSENTIALS 3.00
MENU PLANNING, MANAGEMENT AND DESIGN 1.00
RESTAURANT SALES AND PROMOTION 1.00
CULINARY SKILLS PROJECT 1.00
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION 3.00
ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1 3.00
PSYCHOLOGY OF HUMAN RELATIONS 3.00
INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY 3.00

Third Term

THE SEASONAL KITCHEN AND PANTRY 2.00
RESTAURANT OPERATIONS 4.00
RESTAURANT COST CONTROLS 2.00
BAKING AND SPECIALTY DECORATING 2.00
ORAL/INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION 3.00
INTRODUCTION TO DIVERSITY STUDIES 3.00

Fourth Term

GARDE-MANGER / DECORATIVE FOODS 2.00
CULINARY INTERNSHIP 3.00
GOURMET FOODS 3.00
INTERNATIONAL CUISINE 2.00
RESTAURANT OPERATIONS 2 2.00
INTRO TO SOCIOLOGY 3.00

Credit for Prior Learning Available

View All Detailed Course Information

Pathways

Pathways are a series of connected programs that enable you to advance over time to better jobs and higher levels of education and training. By earning one degree, you could also be completing several courses of a related program in a pathway, bringing you one step closer to an advanced degree.

If you begin with one of the following programs, you will earn significant credit towards this Culinary Arts Associate Degree:

Transfer Information

The following transfer guides executed in partnership with post-secondary institutions are based on articulation agreements and are a guide to provide an easy way to understand how credits transfer.

School Name Degree Name
Colorado State University - Global Business Management
Colorado State University - Global Human Services
Colorado State University - Global Information Technology
Colorado State University - Global Project Management
Johnson & Wales University BS in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management
Lakeland University Accounting
Lakeland University Business Administration
Lakeland University Communication
Lakeland University Computer Science
Lakeland University Criminal Justice
Lakeland University Food Safety and Quality
Lakeland University Hospitality Management
Lakeland University Management Information System
Lakeland University Marketing
Lakeland University Organizational Management
Lakeland University Psychology
Milwaukee School of Engineering Bachelor of Business Administration in Technical Sales
Northern Michigan University BS in Applied Workplace Leadership
Purdue University Global BS in Business Administration
Purdue University Global BS in Health Care Administration
Purdue University Global BS in Professional Studies
Rasmussen College Accelerated Business Management
Rasmussen College Accelerated Business Systems Analysis
Rasmussen College Accelerated Criminal Justice - Leadership and Management
Rasmussen College Accelerated Early Childhood Education Leadership
Rasmussen College Accelerated Finance
Rasmussen College Accelerated Healthcare Management
Rasmussen College Accelerated Human Resources and Organizational Leadership
Rasmussen College Accelerated Human Services
Rasmussen College Accelerated Marketing-Digital Marketing
Rasmussen College Accelerated Supply Chain and Logistics Management
Siena Heights University Bachelor of Applied Science
UW Green Bay B.A.S Organizational Leadership
UW Oshkosh BAS in Organizational Studies
UW Stevens Point Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership
UW Stout BS in Career, Technical Education and Training
UW Stout BS in Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism
UW Stout BS in Management
UW Whitewater Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences

Admissions Process

Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.

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The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. The $30.00 application fee is being waived at this time.

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What’s Next?

We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be mailed to you.