Culinary Arts
62 Credit Associate DegreeProgram Description
The Culinary Arts Associate Degree program is for learners who are passionate about food. If you are interested in becoming a professional cook, chef, baker, pastry chef, institutional cook, kitchen assistant, or other culinary professional, then this program is for you. Learners will have the opportunity to practice and apply skills learned in cooking methods, baking, sanitation, menu planning, nutrition, dining room operations, fine dining, cost control and management. Learners will hone the skills necessary for developing and creating dishes that are visually appealing and full of flavor. Restaurant professionals work long hours on their feet, multi-task and interact with the customer to provide an excellent dining experience.
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Approximate Program Cost
$14,688
Tuition & Fees:
$12,226
Books & Supplies: $2,462
Books & Supplies: $2,462
Starting Salary
$25,370–$29,120
Average,
according to Economic Modeling Specialists International
Financial Aid
Available
Total financial aid offered may not exceed the estimated Cost of Attendance (COA).
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Availability
Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.
* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.
Outcomes
Graduates will be able to…
- Apply principles of nutrition
- Demonstrate culinary skills
- Analyze and manage food service financial information
- Plan menus
- Relate food service operations to sustainability
- Apply principles of safety and sanitation in food service operation
Careers
Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:
- Baker
- Catering Manager
- Banquet Chef
- First Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Staff
- Head Cook
- Chef
- Sous Chef
- Garde-Manger
- Line Cook
- Prep Cook
Courses
The Culinary Arts Associate Degree is a 62 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.
* College 101 (10-890-165) is not part of the program credit requirements but is a College Requirement for graduation that must be passed with a “C” or better.
Credit for Prior Learning Available
View All Detailed Course Information
Pathways
Pathways are a series of connected programs that enable you to advance over time to better jobs and higher levels of education and training. By earning one degree, you could also be completing several courses of a related program in a pathway, bringing you one step closer to an advanced degree.
If you begin with one of the following programs, you will earn significant credit towards this Culinary Arts Associate Degree:
- The Culinary Assistant Technical Diploma will provide you with 45% (28 of 62 credits) of the total credits in this Culinary Arts Associate Degree
Transfer Information
You can continue your education to earn a four-year degree in a variety of ways.
Program Transfer
The following transfer guides, executed in partnership with post-secondary institutions, are based on agreements that allow you to continue your program at another college.
| School Name | Degree Name |
|---|---|
| Johnson & Wales University | Bachelor of Culinary Arts and Food Service Management |
| Siena Heights University | Bachelor of Applied Science |
| UW Stout | Bachelor of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism |
General Transfer
All associate degrees transfer to a variety of programs at other partner colleges to give you the opportunity to continue your education in other areas of study.
View all transfer guides
Cost of Attendance
2023-2024 Estimated Academic Year Budgeted Cost of Attendance
The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is a budget that includes categories of expenses that a student can expect to incur while attending college. The COA does not reflect actual charges. It is an average based on the estimated living costs typical of our region. In determining the cost of attendance, Northcentral Technical College uses the budget established by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Financial Aid Budget Work Group. This budget is used to determine financial need for all students who apply for financial aid. A student's cost of attendance is composed of all educational expenses that can be included for financial aid purposes that a student may accrue while pursuing their education for the year (or semester, if enrolled less than a year). A student's financial aid cannot exceed their cost of attendance. Schools are required to provide a fuller picture of what it may cost students to pursue their degree, not just what they will owe in tuition/fees and books/supplies.
| Expenses | Student Living With Parents (Home) | Student Living on Own (Other) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time Tuition (based on a total of 30 credits, 15 credits fall and 15 credits spring) |
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|
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| Living Expenses (Housing & Food) | $4,052 | $9,614 | ||
| Books / Supplies | $2,061 | $2,061 | ||
| Transportation | $2,007 | $2,007 | ||
| Personal Expenses | $2,245 | $2,245 | ||
| Loan Fees | $83 | $83 | ||
| Total Estimated Cost Of Attendance |
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* Tuition listed is based on approved rates for the 2023-2024 academic year with a projected base increase of 1.65%. Rates are approved each March by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board and estimated budgets are updated at that time.
Students with dependent care, computer or study abroad expenses should contact the Financial Aid Office to document allowable expenses which may serve to increase their COA.
Students awarded Federal Direct Loan(s) also have an average of the mandatory loan fees automatically added to their COA.
Students with disability-related expenses may contact the Financial Aid Office to have their additional expenses considered. Disability-related expenses include but are not limited to: personal assistance, equipment, and supplies. The Financial Aid Office may potentially include disability expenses in the COA that are not provided by other assisting agencies.
NTC also offers a Net Price Calculator to help estimate costs.
For more information regarding billed tuition and fees visit https://www.ntc.edu/admissions/tuition-fees
We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about how the financial aid process works. Please feel free to reach out for more information.
NTC Financial Aid Office
Admissions Process
Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.
Fill out our application
The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. There is no fee to apply.
Apply NowWhat’s Next?
We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be emailed to you.