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Culinary School Degree Programs
As with numerous other trades or professions in Texas, there are several degree options that are offered in the culinary arts. At the most basic level, you can sign up for a local cooking class, which are more informal in nature and can last from several hours to a few weeks. Often a certificate or a diploma is provided at the time of completion. They can be comprehensive in nature, for instance instructing how to cook Spanish meals, or they may be very specific and focus on one dish, such as Crepes Suzette. Naturally if you are looking for a more formal education applicable for a career in the restaurant profession, you will most likely choose to enroll in a degree program. With a degree program, you will be required to devote considerably more time.
- Associate's Degrees can take as long as six months to 2 years to complete.
- Bachelor's Degrees typically entail as much as 4 years of instruction.
- Masters Degrees can take an additional two years or even longer after acquiring a Bachelor's.
More advanced educational options may be offered, such as Doctoral programs or specialized programs offered by culinary arts institutes. Probably the most important issue to keep in mind when deciding on which degree to strive for is ensuring that it provides the degree and education necessary to advance your ultimate career objectives.
Culinary Arts Institutes
Once you have made your selection regarding the kind of training and degree that you would like to pursue, you can begin your search for the culinary arts school, college or institute that offers it. For instance, if your goal is to become a chef specializing in Spanish cuisine, then naturally you will concentrate on those colleges that offer the appropriate training. Or you can pick a college based on its reputation or other criteria (we'll discuss a few of those later) and then choose the best degree program available that is compatible with your career goals in Texas. However you arrive at your decision, cooking schools typically fit within three distinct categories:
- Cooking Schools. A few cooking schools do offer degree programs, but usually they offer certificates or diplomas. Their courses tend to be more specialized in nature, and they can last anywhere from a couple of months to as long as 3 or 4 years.
- Community Colleges. Area community colleges can be more affordable than most private schools and many have exceptional programs. They almost exclusively offer Associate's Degrees and are established and managed by either local or state governments.
- Culinary Arts Schools and Institutes. The advanced degrees and training are provided by culinary colleges and institutes. Several institutes provide the most renowned as well as the highest standard of training in academia. However, since they are private schools they generally can be more costly than their public counterparts, some much more.
Selecting a culinary arts college will not only be based on the kind of degree or program you wish to pursue, but also how much you have to invest in your education. If you decide to attend a public institution to reduce expenses, keep in mind that out-of-state residents usually must pay a higher tuition than in-state residents. Also, a lot of community colleges and regional public schools have lower tuition fees for area residents. So be sure to look into the public options within Texas to find the most economical options.
Online Culinary Arts Programs
Some potential students may find that there are no culinary programs that are within driving proximity of their Texas residence. One alternative is to enroll in online classes within the comfort of one's home. The accessibility and flexibility makes it the best solution for a number of students that continue working full-time while attending school. In addition there are more schools online than ever that are accredited. Remember that a substantial portion of the training will be furnished under an externship. Externships are programs where students train under regional chefs or other culinary arts professionals so that they receive practical training beyond the online classroom. Just make sure that the online program you enroll in is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged agency (more on this later). So if you are dedicated enough to be able to attend classes and study in this more independent manner, obtaining a culinary arts online degree might be the ideal choice for you.