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Accelerated Culinary Programs

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Program Overview

Ready to accelerate your career potential and save time and money in the process?

Earn your associate degree in Culinary Arts or Baking & Pastry Arts in just 12 months with our accelerated degree options:

  • Garnish Your Degree: To qualify, you must hold a bachelor’s degree (in any field) and are planning to enter the food service industry.

Programs include the option to continue studying for your bachelor’s degree.

ACCELERATED CULINARY PROGRAMS BROCHURE (PDF)

GARNISH YOUR DEGREE

How to Apply

Garnish Your Degree applicants must apply for admission as a transfer student.

  1. Go to our undergraduate application. Select your application type (US Resident or International), then choose Culinary Arts or Baking & Pastry Arts as your program of interest.

  2. Make sure you fully complete the steps for admission as a transfer student: apply online, and submit all required documents (official proof of high school graduation, high school and college transcripts).

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, you must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Qualified applicants will receive transfer credit for general studies. You’ll have the opportunity to request evaluation of transfer credit for certain related professional studies and, because of academic and/or work experience, a challenge exam for Introduction to Menu Planning and Cost Control. (Requests must be made prior to, or during, registration.)

You must present an active National Restaurant Association (NRA) ServSafe®, Thomson Prometric or the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals sanitation certificate in order to be exempt from the sanitation course.

International Students
International students should note that the Garnish Your Degree course list is based on a US accredited bachelor’s degree and evaluation of individual college/university transcripts. Those holding non-US degrees must meet English proficiency requirements and complete English Composition, ENG1020 and Advanced English Composition and Communication, ENG1021. Once ESL requirements have been met, international students should allow for an additional term of study to complete this program.

Curriculum and Timeline

The program consists of 4 terms over the course of 1 year.

Timeline
Start dates vary by major and campus:

  • Culinary Arts: September, December, or March (all campuses)
  • Baking & Pastry Arts: September (Providence + Charlotte); September, December, or March (Denver + North Miami)

Curriculum

  • Mix of laboratory and academic courses
  • Terms 1 + 2: Fundamentals and principles, along with related professional studies
  • Term 3: Advanced techniques 
  • Term 4: Apply your skills and gain on-the-job training in an internship or approved Study Abroad experience

Contact Us

Robert Penry
980-598-1105

ADVANCED STANDING

How to Apply

Candidates must first be accepted for admission to the university in Culinary Arts or Baking & Pastry Arts.

1. Go to our undergraduate application. Select your application type (US Resident or International), then choose Culinary Arts or Baking & Pastry Arts as your program of interest.

2. Make sure you fully complete the steps: apply online, and submit all required documents (transcripts, official proof of graduation). 

3. Upon acceptance, complete and submit the Advanced Standing application (50K PDF), including:

  • Two (2) letters of recommendation from industry employers. (One from a food service instructor is acceptable for high school or transfer students.)
  • Choosing your preferred test location for the entrance exam to determine the extent of your food service knowledge.
  • Your one-time, non-refundable Advanced Standing exam fee of $150.

Eligibility Requirements

You may qualify for our Advanced Standing program if you meet one of the following criteria:

  • You have been working in the food service industry for 2–5 years (including military experience).
  • You have completed food courses at another college.
  • You have completed extensive food courses at a vocational/technical school.

Candidates must be high school graduates or current high school seniors. Students with prior college course work may be eligible for transfer credit.

Curriculum and Timeline

Classes begin in mid-June.

  • From Jun-Aug, classes meet Mon-Fri, 7am-4:30pm
  • Mix of laboratory and academic courses

Upon successful completion of the summer session, you’ll attain sophomore status in September.

Sophomore year consists of:

  • Two standard, 11-week terms of course work
  • One-term industry-based learning experience at a university facility or off-campus internship site