Welcome to the Culinary Institute of America
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    CIA Culinary Science Bachelor’s Degree

  • 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, the CIA 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 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.

    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 the 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.

    Ready to get started? Apply Today!

    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:

    • Culinary education
    • Food compliance and safety
    • Production management
    • Quality assurance
    • Food manufacturing
    • Research and development

    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

    Students taking the Bachelor of Professional Studies in Culinary Science program may choose one of two areas of focus: Culinary Arts or Baking and Pastry Arts.

    The 132-credit BPS in Culinary Science, Culinary Arts focus includes:

    • 54 credits in culinary arts requirements
    • 39 credits in liberal arts requirements
    • 6 credits in business management requirements
    • 33 credits in culinary science requirements

    The 132-credit BPS in Culinary Science, Baking and Pastry Arts focus includes:

    • 55.5 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

    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 the CIA.

    As a bachelor’s student, you can also choose to study abroad through the Global Cuisines and Cultures elective course, which includes travel to culinary destinations such as China, Costa Rica, France, Italy, Peru, Spain, and Tanzania.

    See catalog for curriculum details

    Requirements for Admission

    • A high school diploma or GED credential.
    • Recommendation—One character letter of recommendation is required. It should be from an employer, teacher, or professional colleague either within or outside the foodservice industry. The letter should address your commitment to the food world, problem-solving ability, and persistence in either work or academics.
    • Students interested the bachelor’s degree program in culinary science must complete an application for admission, available from the Center for Academic Advising on the student portal. Acceptances are based on all postsecondary school grades, CIA grades, an essay, as well as responses to five critical essay questions. All applications will be reviewed by the Culinary Science Admissions Committee.

    How to Apply

    Culinary Science Costs

    The 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 the CIA an affordable investment in your future in the world of food.

  • 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.

    Upcoming guest speakers include:

    Michele Reisner '76, speaker, from CIA’s Culinary Science Advisory Council.Michele Reisner ’76
    Executive VP at Target Research Group

    Sarah Stribling, speaker on food science.Sarah Stribling
    Unilever Food Solutions

    Matt Tom, culinary food science guest speaker.Matt Tom
    Independent Technical Consultant

  • Leading Food & Hospitality Employers Want CIA Students

     
  • Evan Bollers , CIA Bachelor's in Culinary Science alumni, is R&D Chef at Custom Foods of America.

    Alumni Spotlight

    Evan Bollers ’14
    Research Development Project Manager, Custom Foods of America
    “There’s a certain fraternal love that was developed between all of us and our teachers, especially in the Culinary Science Department, that I’ll never forget. It motivated me to work harder and do things I didn’t think I could do.”
    Read More  
    J.J. Lui, CIA Lecturing Instructor—Culinary Science

    Faculty Spotlight

    J. J. Lui
    Associate Professor—Culinary Science
    Learn more about J. J. Lui, faculty member at the CIA.
    Read More  
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