- Bachelor’s Degree Program
Applied Food Studies
Program Overview
Make a Difference in the World Through Food
If you love food, value how it is grown and sourced, and want to have an impact on how it’s perceived, distributed, and enjoyed throughout the world then CIA’s Bachelor of Professional Studies in Applied Food Studies is made for you. Offered at our New York campus, this innovative program will prepare you to become a mission-driven leader in areas like food systems, media, sustainability, education, and advocacy through hands-on learning experiences with our accomplished faculty.
Quick Facts
Start Dates: September, January, April
Campus: New York
CIA Core Advantage: Culinary or Baking
Internship Included
Concentrations Available
Program Highlights
- Gain a clear understanding of food policy, ethics, and ecology, as well as agriculture, sustainability, food systems, and world cuisines and cultures.
- Develop leadership and communication skills that will enable you to explain complex food-related concepts and influence public opinion.
- 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.)
- Apply your advanced knowledge of local and global food issues and food history to current events.
- Choose a focused concentration that aligns with your career goals, such as farm-to-table or a global cuisine, and expand your world view with a travel abroad experience.
- Connect with 140+ companies hiring at CIA Career Fair, including Baldor, Blackberry Farm, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Food+ at Google, Food Corps, Gordon’s Foodservice, and Wegmans.
Careers
Get Involved in the Big Business of Food
Companies are increasingly in need of experts knowledgeable about food policy, systems management, sustainability, and global distribution. After you graduate, your degree will help you pursue a career in:
- Advocacy groups such as the Consumer’s Union, the Food Research and Action Center, and Greenpeace
- Communications, public relations, and marketing
- Eco-tourism
- Education
- Health agencies such as the American Public Health Association, Cornell Cooperative Extension, National Institutes of Health, and Public Health Association of New York City
- Policymaking groups such as the United Nations, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and The Global Health Council
- Production, sales, and sourcing of products for farm-to-table
- Food industry associations such as the Food Marketing Institute, National Dairy Council, and Council for Responsible Nutrition
Curriculum
Cutting-Edge Curriculum
Students taking this program may choose one of two area of focus: Culinary Arts or Baking and Pastry Arts.
You will get an ideal mix of courses in areas like food anthropology, ecology, history, governmental policies, and sustainability that build upon the knowledge gained from CIA’s hands-on Culinary Arts or Baking and Pastry Arts core. Together, they will give you the perspective needed for careers that focus on food as a window into economics, culture, class, and politics.
The curriculum features a semester-long internship experience, as well as your choice among several optional, specialized study concentration, including Advanced Wine and Beverage, Asian Cuisine, Farm-to-Table, and many more.
The 126-credit Bachelor of Professional Studies in Applied Food Studies, Culinary Arts focus includes:
- 51 credits in culinary arts requirements
- 33 credits in liberal arts requirements
- 3 credits in liberal arts electives
- 6 credits in business management requirements
- 21 credits in applied food studies requirements
- 6 credits in applied food studies electives
- 6 credits in free electives
The 126-credit Bachelor of Professional Studies in Applied Food Studies, Baking and Pastry Arts focus includes:
- 52.5 credits in baking and pastry arts requirements
- 31.5 credits in liberal arts requirements
- 3 credits in liberal arts electives
- 6 credits in business management requirements
- 21 credits in applied food studies requirements
- 6 credits in applied food studies electives
6 credits in free electives
Browse Concentrations
Travel abroad to learn from experts in the field, challenge yourself, and shape your future in the industry.
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.
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 Liberal Arts and Food Studies
The School of Liberal Arts and Food Studies features a forward-thinking and globally significant course of study in a broad range of topics essential to today’s food world. The diverse knowledge of our faculty and extraordinary hands-on field experiences provide valuable new insights and perspectives to students who are ready to change the world. The curriculum continually draws from the ground-breaking findings of CIA’s annual Menus of Change and Worlds of Flavor initiatives, where global leaders come together to advance vital concepts such as plant-forward and sustainability.
