- Bachelor’s Degree Program
Culinary Science
Program Overview
Be at the Forefront of Food Innovation
Your mind works differently than most. You’re not just satisfied making food taste great—you want to know why it tastes that way. Well, CIA’s Bachelor of Professional Studies in Culinary Science degree program is perfect for you. Discover how food impacts the senses, learn how to develop new food products, and apply the scientific method to answer your own questions about what’s happening in the kitchen. You’ll be able to pick the brains of our industry-savvy faculty during in-depth hands-on learning in our kitchens, labs, and restaurants—something you definitely won’t get in a food science program.
Quick Facts
Start Dates: September, January, April
Campus: New York
CIA Core Advantage: Culinary or Baking
Internship Included
Program Highlights
- Develop an understanding of the science behind foods and beverages that will enable you to create culinary experiences that are creative, delicious, safe, and consistent.
- Cultivate a deeper knowledge of the functionality and impact of ingredients through the application of sensory evaluation techniques.
- Gain real-world experience through a paid internship semester at one of CIA’s 2,000+ food industry partners. (Already have experience? Check out our Turbo Option.)
- Study precision temperature cooking, culinary chemistry, dynamics of heat transfer and the physical properties of food, and the microbial ecology of food systems.
- Understand how culinary science enhances food quality in research and development kitchens, fine dining establishments, manufacturers, and more.
- Connect with 140+ companies hiring at CIA Career Fair, including Dole Consumer Products, EFCO, McCormick, Nestlé, and Sabra.
Careers
The Science of Success
There’s a growing demand in the food world for innovative professionals who can think way outside the box. Your Culinary Science bachelor’s degree will open doors in fields such as:
- Research and development
- Food manufacturing
- Quality assurance
- Production management
- Food compliance and safety
- Restaurant chefs
- Baking and pastry chefs
- Culinary education
Curriculum
Cutting-Edge Curriculum
Students taking this program may choose one of two areas of focus: Culinary Arts or Baking and Pastry Arts.
You will take fascinating, in-depth courses in all areas of culinary science, from ingredient functionality to culinary R&D to flavor science and beyond. Combine them with liberal arts courses in social science, math, history and cultures, and more for the deep and well-rounded education today’s culinary science professional requires.
The curriculum also features a semester-long internship experience along with the strong culinary arts or baking and pastry arts core you’ll get only at CIA.
The 129-credit Bachelor of Professional Studies in Culinary Science, Culinary Arts focus includes:
- 51 credits in culinary arts requirements
- 39 credits in liberal arts requirements
- 6 credits in business management requirements
- 33 credits in culinary science requirements
The 129-credit Bachelor of Professional Studies in Culinary Science, Baking and Pastry Arts focus includes:
- 52.5 credits in baking and pastry arts requirements
- 37.5 credits in liberal arts requirements
- 6 credits in business management requirements
- 33 credits in culinary science requirements
Faculty
Learn From Top Industry Experts
We want you to become the best of the best, which is why our faculty members are masters in their fields. Learn from acclaimed chefs, industry executives, world-famous restaurateurs, restaurant owners, published authors, and sommeliers.
Admissions
Have Questions? We Have Answers!
Whether you’re curious about our degree offerings, need guidance on the application process, or want to know more about campus activities and student life—we’re here to help! Just submit your contact information and we’ll ensure that you:
- Learn more about our programs and find out which one is right for you
- Hear what our students love about their CIA journey
- Receive help with the application process from your admissions counselor
Get an Up-close look at CIA
Tour Campus or Attend an Online Event
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 than with one of our admissions events.
Regular Guest Speakers—Culinary Science
We are pleased to welcome a rotation of outstanding guest speakers from all segments of the food world. By coming to campus to share their knowledge, these industry leaders greatly enrich the learning experience for our culinary science students.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The Value of a CIA Education
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.
Chat With a Student
Are you curious about what it’s really like to attend CIA? We’ve got you covered. Our students are ready to answer the questions you haven’t asked anyone else, share their own personal experiences, and give you genuine advice—because they’ve gone through it, too.
School of Culinary Science and Nutrition
Interdisciplinary learning in culinary science and nutrition—taking food science to a whole new level—is at the heart of the School of Culinary Science and Nutrition. With extensive culinary, nutrition, and food science backgrounds, our faculty takes a unique approach to exploring innovative new ways to prepare cuisine. Students are immersed in fully equipped labs with high-tech tools such as centrifuges, rotary evaporators, vacuum desiccators, and incubators to help test their hypotheses. Top leaders in the culinary science and nutrition fields come to campus often to provide feedback on projects.
