All About Culinary School Accreditation
Accreditation Basics
Accreditation means that a culinary program meets standards regarding course content, facilities and quality of instruction. Culinary arts programs are accredited by 1 of 6 regional associations or by accrediting organizations like the American Culinary Federation (ACF), which evaluates schools against a rigorous set of standards deemed to be foundational to a quality education.
Attending a Non-Accredited Institution
With your future plans in mind, carefully evaluate the school and type of program you wish to attend. For example, if you're interested in attending a graduate-level culinary program in the future, most schools will not admit students with non-accredited undergraduate degrees.
Accreditation & Financial Aid
Accreditation also creates a gateway for students to participate in federally funded and state financial aid programs. In order to receive federal funds, a school must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the US Department of Education (DOE).