Welcome to the Culinary Institute of America
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    CIA Baking and Pastry Arts Associate Degree

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  • Sweet Dreams

    Have you had a desire to run your own bakery or café as far back as you can remember? Or to design spectacular cakes or prepare desserts for elegant catered affairs? The CIA Associate in Baking and Pastry Arts degree program is where you can make these dreams happen! In less than two years, you’ll be well on your way to a successful career in this creative profession thanks to the best hands-on learning experience with our expert, industry-proven faculty.

    Highlights:

    • Learn how to craft delicious high-end products like chocolates, confections, pastries, artisan breads, cakes, and plated desserts.
    • Study pastry techniques, baking ingredients and technology, and principles of design.
    • Gain real-world experience through a paid internship semester at one of the CIA’s 2,000+ food industry partners. (Already have experience? Check out our Turbo Option.)
    • Hone your business skills with study in management, communications, and finance.
    • Discover how a retail bakery operation is run—hands-on in CIA’s bakery café, one of our live-action restaurant classrooms that serve thousands of customers annually.
    • Network with top baking and pastry employers who recruit at CIA throughout the year.

    Ready to get started? Apply Today!

    Earning a CIA associate degree is also a perfect way to seamlessly enter one of our bachelor’s degree programs.

    Rise to the Top in Baking and Pastry

    Explore all your career options at exciting venues such as:

    • Bakeries
    • Bistros
    • Hotels
    • Private clubs
    • Resorts
    • Restaurants

    With so many possibilities, our Career Services staff is ready to help you every step of the way. There’s no network like the CIA network, which includes some of the world’s most renowned culinary, beverage, and hospitality experts.

    The list of celebrated CIA alumni is as diverse as it is extensive. They’ve found success doing what they love. Now it’s your turn.

    Curriculum

    New York and California Campuses

    The 66-credit Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) in Baking and Pastry Arts degree program includes:

    • 52.5 credits in baking and pastry arts requirements
    • 7.5 credits in liberal arts requirements
    • 6 credits in business management requirements

    You will get a hands-on experiential foundation in the baking and pastry arts, including specialty breads, confectionery art, production desserts, design, advanced baking principles, menus, and café savory foods.

    As part of your degree program, you’ll get 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.

    See catalog for curriculum details

    Texas Campus

    The 69-credit Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Baking and Pastry Arts degree program includes:

    • 52.5 credits in baking and pastry arts requirements
    • 10.5 credits in liberal arts requirements
    • 6 credits in business management requirements

    You will get a hands-on experiential foundation in the baking and pastry arts, including specialty breads, confectionery art, production desserts, design, advanced baking principles, menus, and café savory foods.

    As part of your degree program, you’ll get 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.

    See catalog for curriculum details

    Requirements for Admission

    • A high school diploma or GED credential.
    • This program is offered for in-person, full-time study at all three of CIA’s domestic campuses: New York, California, and Texas.

    How to Apply

    Baking and Pastry School Costs

    CIA is very committed to making your CIA education as affordable as possible. Our costs are comparable to similar colleges, and here’s even better news—more than 90% of our students receive some form of financial aid.

    Don’t let applying for financial assistance keep you from going to the world’s premier culinary college. No matter what your individual circumstances are, we will work with you to help make attending CIA an affordable investment in your future in the world of food.

  • Frequently Viewed



  • Questions? CIA Student Ambassadors Can Help! Chat now.

  • School of Baking and Pastry Arts Gonfalon

    School of Baking and Pastry Arts

    The School of Baking and Pastry Arts advances baking and pastry skills in state-of-the-art bakeshops, classrooms, and restaurants on campus. Through the college’s vital industry partnerships and gift-in-kind program, students work in spectacular facilities such as the public-facing Apple Pie Bakery Café and have access to premium products like Ghirardelli chocolates. They also explore contemporary methods and concepts, such as baking for vegan, gluten-free, no-sugar, and dairy-free diets. The faculty’s expertise and extensive industry experience bring vibrant creativity and inspiration to learning. Learn more about our faculty >

  • Cool Courses You’ll Take...

    Cool Courses in Baking and Pastry Arts

    Let your creativity flow in CIA baking and pastry arts degree program, with courses that may surprise you.

    Check them out


  • Connect with us! Just try not to drool on your screen...

    • Makenna Barnes, Associate Degree in Baking & Pastry Arts student at the CIA in California.

      Student Spotlight

      Makenna Barnes
      Associate Degree in Baking & Pastry Arts
      “The chefs at this school are amazing and you can learn so much from them. I love the CIA—coming here was the best decision I have ever made.”
      Read More  
      Sarah Baldwin, CIA baking and pastry arts alumni. Photo taken at Ron Ben-Israel Cakes, New York, NY.

      Alumni Spotlight

      Sarah Baldwin ’06
      Creative Director, Ron Ben-Israel Cakes
      “My best memory at the CIA was coming back after my internship and feeling like I finally had a sense of focus about where I wanted my career to go. I’m currently working at my dream job.”
      Read More  
    • Did You Know?


      CIA is the only school with nine student-run, award-winning public restaurants in top U.S. foodie destinations.
      Learn More