Five Tips for Choosing Baking Schools

Aspiring chefs can choose from several types of institutions that provide culinary education. Depending on your location, financial situation and career goals, certain types of schools may fit you better than others.

Culinary Institute

A culinary academy or institute provides training specifically in the culinary arts. They offer short, hands-on programs designed to give you the skills needed to start working in a kitchen immediately upon graduation.

Community Colleges and Vocational Schools

A community college or vocational school trains people for in-demand careers across all industries―not just the culinary arts. Community colleges and vocational baking schools are often less expensive than private programs at culinary institutes because they're subsidized by government funding.

College or University

Colleges and universities offer a well-rounded liberal arts education with a heavy focus on academic achievement. Not many universities offer baking programs, but those that do focus on students pursuing management positions or wanting to start their own baking companies.

Baking schools offer several types of degree programs―lasting from six months to four or five years. Choose a degree type based on how quickly you wish to start your new career, your financial resources and the depth of education you want to pursue.

Certificate

Enrolling in a certificate program at a local baking school is generally the quickest way to receive the basic training for a pastry chef career. Taking between six months and one year to complete, certificates are commonly offered at culinary institutes and vocational schools.

Diploma

A diploma program, which is very similar to a certificate program, is the most common degree at a culinary institute or vocational pastry chef school. Programs can usually be completed in one year or less and will prepare you with the culinary skills and pastry creation techniques necessary to work in a restaurant or bakery.

Associate's Degree

A 2-year associate's degree (generally found at community colleges and culinary institutes) includes both culinary arts training and academic courses. Many associate's degree programs are geared toward training students to manage and operate a restaurant.

Bachelor's Degree

Bachelor's degrees are only available at colleges or universities. The first two years of these 4- or 5-year programs mostly consist of academic liberal arts courses. The remaining years focus on basic culinary techniques, restaurant management and hospitality training. A bachelor's degree is a great asset if you aspire to a management role.

Most culinary programs offer the opportunity for résumé-building and professional experience through externship programs, where students work in a real restaurant or bakery, gaining valuable on-the-job skills.

Many baking schools offer two types of programs to meet students' needs:

Full-time Day Programs

Students in full-time day programs usually start classes in the morning and end in the early afternoon. Those who commit to a full-time schedule can complete their program in a shorter time. However, because of the time demands, they are not encouraged to work full-time while in school.

Part-time Evening Programs

Because students in part-time programs attend classes for only a few hours during the evening, these programs run longer than traditional day programs. However, they allow students to continue working while attending school.

Accredited baking schools have received recognition for meeting national or regional standards for the quality of their education. Universities, colleges and community colleges with baking school programs often hold accreditation from one of the six regional accrediting organizations or from one of the following national agencies:

• The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
• The American Culinary Federation (ACF)

When choosing a baking or pastry chef school, you should also consider how well they do in placing graduates into pastry chef jobs. Ask yourself the following questions, and weigh how well the answers match your career goals:

• Does the school offer job placement for recent graduates?
• How long are placement services offered: months or years after graduation, or lifetime placement services?
• How many graduates find jobs after six months?
• What is the average salary of graduates who become bakers and pastry chefs?

There are many accredited baking schools across the U.S. ready to help you achieve your dream of becoming a pastry chef. Search now for baking and pastry chef schools in your area, or learn more about becoming a pastry chef.