How Long Does Culinary School Take to Complete?

Let’s be realistic here – EVERYONE starts at the bottom. But there are many success stories from those who have done just that.

At a culinary school, you will receive a comprehensive culinary education in a relatively short period, providing the fast track to a new career. The application process is also relatively easy to get into culinary school.

You need to take into account the whole gamut: From time spent learning basic principles and kitchen techniques, to advanced topics and obtaining actual hands-on experience to know the time it takes to complete culinary education. It can take anywhere from a few short months to four years, depending on the chosen length of culinary school.

There are different options you can choose when you enroll, and factors that can affect the length of your studies. For instance, professional culinary training can take 2 to 4 years.

There are dedicated culinary schools where that’s all they do; there are community colleges that offer a certificate or degree in a more classroom-focused experience, and there are four-year degree programs that combine culinary arts with business and hospitality skills.

You can choose from Diploma or Certificate Programs

• A diploma or certificate can be earned in about six to 12 months, on average
• The time frame depends on how much time you can devote to school.
• It combines classroom learning and hands-on experience in the field of study.
• You gain real-world career experience.
• There are often financing options available to help with the cost of a diploma or certificate program (i.e. budget-friendly monthly payments).

Diploma or certificate programs typically offer lesson-based classes, each with a specific focus. You will get hands-on experience as you learn cooking techniques, practice your skills, and oftentimes work in a real-world environment, a HUGE plus for your career.

Degree Programs

Whether you choose an “arts” or “science” approach, you will find different culinary training options at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s levels.

An associate’s degree can be earned in two years; a bachelor’s degree in four years; a master’s degree in two years (after you attain a bachelor’s degree).

The type of degree you pursue will determine the length and depth of your studies.

A bachelor’s degree includes a four-year curriculum that may expand on the associate’s degree and be more focused on the business aspect of cooking, such as management or hospitality.

In addition to meeting general education requirements, you will have an additional two years of instruction in other areas, such as budgeting, inventory, and managing staff (the business stuff).

Culinary Arts, Culinary Management, Restaurant Management, and Hospitality are common degree choices. Johnson and Wales University offers a Liberal Arts program for aspiring chefs, providing a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills.

A master’s degree includes an additional two years of instruction after a bachelor’s degree is completed. You usually need to complete a thesis once you have finished all of your coursework. Also, since these degrees dive deeper into culinary theory and concepts, they often involve more intensive focus, such as nutrition, food science, or hospitality.

Whether you choose to pursue Culinary Arts, Culinary Management, or Liberal Arts degree or commit to a higher-level master’s education, you will find culinary training options and pastry-making options to meet your education needs at the college or university level.

Culinary Schools

Culinary schools like Academy of Pastry and Culinary Arts (APCA) group of Professional Culinary & Pastry Schools with Pan- Asia presence offer fully interactive culinary courses, by world-class -chefs. Taught through Video recording that can be used any time and recipes in PDF, this academy uses cutting-edge technology, mixed with ingenious techniques, specifically designed to teach the art, science, and techniques of creating good food and methods needed to excel in the food industry. It’s a course module that is designed with a vision to advance chefprenuership, culinary arts, and the Food & Beverage profession with integrity and meaning.