The bachelor's degree program in culinary arts is a degree completion program for students with at least 30 eligible transfer credits to matriculate into this program. The program prepares graduates for a variety of foodservice industry positions such as chef, purchasing manager, catering manager, culinary entrepreneur, farm-to-table liaison, research and development chef, private chef, and more.
In the program, students develop skills including inquiry and analysis, critical and creative thinking, written and oral communication, quantitative information literacy, problem-solving, and teamwork. They also build global and intercultural awareness, knowledge of contemporary food systems, and an appreciation for sustainable food resources.
Bachelor's students majoring in culinary arts also have the option of taking a concentration to focus their studies on the industry career track that interests them most. Depending on the academic concentration chosen, students take one semester of study at the CIA in California, Texas, Singapore, or New York; a semester in Spain; or a semester in New York that includes a 10-day culinary tour of Japan:
- Asian Cuisine: An Edible Journey from Traditional to Contemporary (semester in Singapore)
- Farm-to-Table: Practices of a Sustainable Table (semester in California or New York)
- Japanese Cuisine: A Study of Tradition, Flavor and Culture (semester in New York including 10 days in Japan)
- Latin Cuisine Studies: New World Flavors, Ingredients, and Techniques (semester in Texas)
- Mediterranean Cuisine: Exploring Cultures, Traditions, and Flavors (semester in Spain)
See Culinary Arts with Concentration for more information on these concentrations.
To qualify for the bachelor's degree in culinary arts, students must be in good standing at the college and complete a total of 123 credits. Full-time students transferring the minimum of 30 credits can complete the program in 32 months. Students also need to maintain a grade point average of at least 2.0 to complete the bachelor's degree program. Students may be eligible to receive up to 60 credits toward their degree for prior course work, certain examinations, military experience, and/or life achievement. CIA associate degree graduates with eligible transfer credits from other institutions must also complete at least one semester beyond the associate degree.
Program Learning Outcomes
In this program, students can complete their bachelor's degree while gaining a deep knowledge of the foodservice and hospitality industries. The bachelor's degree program in culinary arts provides an in-depth view of complex food systems taught by seasoned veterans, business owners, restaurateurs, chefs, wine experts, managers, and maître d's. Students will practice the rigor of organization that enables great leaders and great chefs. They will be able to use this culinary vocabulary and skill to communicate globally about flavor, food safety, health and wellness, sustainability and, most important, the joys of achieving great flavors through excellent techniques.
- Students will demonstrate skill in culinary methods and techniques, culinary knowledge, product knowledge, and food handling and organization.
- Students will practice sanitation and safety sklls and will demonstrate strong teamwork, oral communication, and professionalism.
- Students will apply basic management principles, and practice service techniques and use of service equipment.
Students will also demonstrate critical thinking, foundations for lifelong learning, information literacy, problem solving, and quantitative literacy.
Instructional Programs and Schedule
While enrolled in this bachelor's degree program, students will attend class over a 15-week semester. The college's academic schedule ensures that students will progress from intermediate to advanced subject matter in proper sequence.
The CIA reserves the right to modify course sequence, content, and offerings.
Graduation Requirements
This program is designed for students who wish to complete their bachelor's degree. Therefore, students must have at least 30 eligible transfer credits to matriculate into this program. CIA associate degree graduates with eligible transfer credits from other institutions must also complete at least one semester beyond the associate degree. Students enrolling in the Culinary Arts major should work with their advisor to select the proper mix of in-person, online, or hybrid courses that both meet the graduation requirements of the degree and align with their academic goals and career aspirations. The basic requirements are as follows: