The Culinary Institute of America

  • Welcome Veterans

    A Long-Standing History with the U.S. Armed Forces

    For more than six decades, The Culinary Institute of America has been setting the standard for excellence in professional culinary education. Founded in 1946 in New Haven, CT by Frances Roth, a prominent attorney, and Katharine Angell, the wife of Yale President James Angell, the school was created to provide culinary training and careers for returning World War II veterans. As the original culinary institute, the CIA served an unmet need for high quality, professional culinary education and grew rapidly. In 1972, with a student body of 1,000, the college moved to its expansive main campus in Hyde Park, NY, the former Jesuit novitiate St. Andrew-on-Hudson. Today, veterans from all branches of the military enhance our student body and bring much-valued diversity and life experience to campus.

    The foodservice and hospitality industry currently employs more than 12 million people and job opportunities in this industry continue to grow. A culinary career is an ideal option for transitioning military personnel and their families to consider for the next stage in their lives. And with a CIA degree, you can enter the foodservice industry with the credential that opens doors.

    Setting the Course for Your Career Advancement

    We understand that making a successful life change requires careful planning and leaving the military and attending college can be challenging at first. The CIA is focused on the specific needs of the military, veterans, and their families. Our dedicated Veterans Admissions Officer and Financial Aid Counselor are here to help you with the enrollment process and complete the necessary paperwork to ensure that you receive the benefits you have earned.

    Easing the Enrollment Process

    Year-round entry dates. You can start a CIA education whenever you're ready to make your transition. The college offers four enrollment seasons—winter, spring, summer/early fall, and late fall—with 16 total entry dates, providing a flexible enrollment schedule throughout the year so you can enter college when the time is right for you. Many career changers like you choose to enroll in the winter or spring.

    The experience requirement. If you have gained significant hands-on food preparation experience through your military service, it may satisfy our experience requirement for admission. Please call Michelle Mullooly at 1-800-CULINARY or m_mulloo@culinary.edu to discuss your individual situation.

    For detailed information visit the veterans' education benefits online or call 1-888-442-4551. To learn more about our programs and the use of veterans' education benefits at the CIA, Michelle Mullooly at 1-800-CULINARY (285-4627) or m_mulloo@culinary.edu.

  • profile_jenkins

    Spotlight On: Eric JenkinsU.S. Army

    My passion is in cooking. Food is my life. So after retiring from the Army in February 2008, I went back to school at Central Texas College to complete my associate degree in Hospitality and Culinary Management. But I felt unfulfilled in my search to learn all that I can about cooking, so I decided that I wanted to attend a real culinary school. After an informative discussion with a CIA graduate/co-worker I set my sights on The Culinary Institute of America.
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