Undergraduate Degree Programs
Food is Your Opportunity.
Food has the power to unlock new possibilities, make connections, and create a lasting global impact. Whether you’ve always known you were destined for a career in food or you’re just starting to consider it, we invite you to explore our comprehensive associate and bachelor’s degree programs.
Whatever your career goals may be, our degree programs will prepare you with the skills, knowledge, and experience to make a significant difference, whether it’s in your own community or on a global scale.
The CIA Core Advantage
Our programs are designed to provide everything you need to excel, no matter where your food passion leads you. Both associate and bachelor’s degree students start with the essential skills and knowledge of the CIA Core Advantage, which forms the foundation for most of our programs.
Associate Degrees
Are you ready to explore a career as a chef? Our associate degree programs offer career paths in baking and pastry or the culinary arts. Feed your passion and creativity with hands-on courses that are focused on food. As part of your associate degree program, you’ll obtain real-world experience during a semester-long internship at one of more than 2,000 CIA-approved businesses, as well as in the kitchens and dining rooms of CIA’s award-winning public restaurants.
CIA’s associate degree programs are offered at our New York, California, and Texas campuses.
Baking and Pastry Arts
Looking for a creative career with a sweet payoff? Maybe even own your own bakery? Major in baking and pastry arts, and in fewer than two years, you’ll learn to master high-end breads, chocolates, confections, pastries,and plate desserts.
Culinary Arts
Love to cook? Aspire to be a top chef or restaurateur? If so, our culinary arts major is for you. Explore global cuisines, develop creative menus, sharpen your culinary techniques and skills, manage staff, and gain key organizational skills needed to succeed in the industry.
Bachelor’s Degrees
Food is your passion, and it’s ours, too. That’s why we provide a range of bachelor’s degree programs that touch on nearly every aspect of the industry—including food business management, culinary science, applied food studies, and hospitality. And if you’re interested in a career in the food industry but are unsure of the specific path, we can help guide you. Our bachelor’s degree programs are immersive, collaborative, and customizable to your interests and goals.
You’ll build a strong foundation of hands-on skills while also developing the leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork expertise needed to succeed in your chosen field. You also have the opportunity to choose a concentration or travel experience to deepen your learning.
CIA’s bachelor’s degree programs are offered at our New York campus.
Food Business Management
Blend vital business management expertise with your passion for food. Gain the leadership skills, management experience, and entrepreneurial know-how you need to build a successful career in this thriving industry.
Applied Food Studies
Looking for a career with a major impact? In this program, whether you’re looking to help your own community or you’re thinking globally, you’ll develop real-world skills, an understanding for improving food systems, and a capacity to communicate about complex issues such as food waste, food insecurity, sustainability, and food justice.
Culinary Science
Are you excited by the idea of recipe development or working in a culinary test kitchen? Explore the science and creative aspects of food with a degree program that prepares you for an innovative career in the kitchen or as part of a research and development department, restaurant group, or product development laboratory.
Hospitality Management
The hospitality world is expansive and exciting—from restaurants, resorts, and hotels to sports venues, entertainment complexes, and casinos. Success in this industry means mastering food and beverage as well as operations and management.
Additional Undergraduate Opportunities
Food Business Leadership
Online—for CIA Associate Degree Graduates Only
Grow your opportunities and your earning potential while you work! This convenient online bachelor’s degree program is the perfect way to advance your career and become a leader in the food industry.
Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program
Make the Most of the Credits You’ve Already Earned
Already have some college credits and always thought you might be suited to a career in the food world? CIA’s Bachelor of Professional Studies in Culinary Arts or Baking and Pastry Arts—offered at our New York campus—may be just what you’re looking for!
Food Business Management, Singapore
For Singaporean Polytechnic Institute Diploma Holders
Wouldn’t you love to understand food in a whole new way that perfectly complements your diploma studies? You can, when you broaden your mind at CIA Singapore in our Bachelor of Business Administration in Food Business Management.
admissions
Explore Our Programs and Find Your Fit
Not sure which degree is right for you? Whether you’re looking to visit one of our campuses or would prefer the convenience of a virtual event, there’s no better way to learn more about CIA’s programs than with one of our admissions events.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Food Is Your Purpose
If you’re looking to advance your career in food, there is no better investment than a CIA education. From hands-on opportunities and expert faculty instruction to unique concentrations and exclusive networking events, our education and experiences are unparalleled. We are also committed to making your CIA education as affordable as possible. Our costs are comparable to similar colleges, with more than 90% of our students receiving some form of financial aid.