Culinary Arts - A.A.S. Degree/Certificate
Enter the World of Culinary Arts and Broaden Your Technique and Creativity
Do you have the talent, creativity, and passion for preparing great food? The Alvin Community College Culinary Arts program can feed your passion and help develop your sensibilities and philosophy about food presentation, ingredients, cooking techniques and the overall dining experience.
With both degree and certificate options, our program will prepare you for a rewarding culinary career no matter your experience level. You’ll begin with the fundamentals and then take on advanced coursework building your skills and confidence. Our experienced faculty will ensure you receive hands-on training in all culinary aspects. ACC’s program provides you with all of the educational components required for certification through the American Culinary Federation.
Career Opportunities
Culinary job opportunities are everywhere, from next door to across the globe. With culinary skills, many students find work in restaurants, the hotel industry, pastry and specialty shops, cruise lines, and resorts, bakery and candy companies, catering services, institutional food service operations, and for themselves.
The Bureau of Labor statistics indicates that jobs in the Food Preparation and Serving industry is projected to grow 9 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is faster than average. Chefs and Head Cooks in the Houston area earn an average yearly salary of $45,490.
For more information on Culinary Arts career opportunities, please visit Career Coach where you can explore the local job market, take a career assessment, and build a resumé.
What Will I Study?
ACC’s culinary arts program will prepare you for a wide variety of entry-level positions in the food service industry. The program includes a core of culinary arts courses that develop cooking skills and provide instruction in purchasing, cost control, sanitation, nutrition, and supervision. In addition, you’ll receive a well-rounded academic experience including business, computer, and liberal arts courses preparing you for a successful career as a culinary professional.
Curriculum Guide – Culinary Arts, A.A.S. Degree/Certificate
First Year
First Semester
- IFWA 1401 - Food Preparation I 4 Course Credits
- HAMG 1321 - Introduction to Hospitality Industry 3 Course Credits
- PSTR 1301 - Fundamentals of Baking 3 Course Credits
- ENGL 1301 - Composition I 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 13
Second Semester
- IFWA 1427 - Food Preparation II 4 Course Credits
- CHEF 2301 - Intermediate Food Preparation 3 Course Credits
- CHEF 1341 - American Regional Cuisine 3 Course Credits
- MATH 1332 - Quantitative Reasoning 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 13
Third Semester (Summer)
- IFWA 1318 - Nutrition for the Food Service Professional 3 Course Credits
- CHEF 1310 - Garde Manger 3 Course Credits
- SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 9
Second Year
First Semester
- CHEF 1445 - International Cuisine 4 Course Credits
- CHEF 2331 - Advanced Food Preparation 3 Course Credits
- PSTR 2331 - Advanced Pastry Shop 3 Course Credits
- Creative Arts Core Curriculum 3 Course Credits + or
- Language, Philosophy & Culture Core Curriculum 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 13
Second Semester
- CHEF 2302 - Saucier 3 Course Credits
- CHEF 2336 - Charcuterie 3 Course Credits
- CHEF 2380 - Cooperative Education-Culinary Arts/Chef Training 3 Course Credits * ** or
- CHEF 2371 - Portfolio 3 Course Credits * **
- Social and Behavioral Sciences Core Curriculum 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 12
Total Credits Required for A.A.S. Culinary Arts Degree: 60
+ Denotes core requirement. Speak with Department Chair or Pathways Advisor for proper course selection.
* Capstone Course
** Requires Department Chair approval
First Semester
- IFWA 1401 - Food Preparation I 4 Course Credits
- HAMG 1321 - Introduction to Hospitality Industry 3 Course Credits
- PSTR 1301 - Fundamentals of Baking 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 10
Second Semester
- IFWA 1427 - Food Preparation II 4 Course Credits
- CHEF 2301 - Intermediate Food Preparation 3 Course Credits
- CHEF 1341 - American Regional Cuisine 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 10
Third Semester (Summer)
- IFWA 1318 - Nutrition for the Food Service Professional 3 Course Credits
- CHEF 1310 - Garde Manger 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 6
Total Credits Required for Culinary Arts Certificate: 26
First Year
First Semester
- IFWA 1401 - Food Preparation I 4 Course Credits
- HAMG 1321 - Introduction to Hospitality Industry 3 Course Credits
- PSTR 1301 - Fundamentals of Baking 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 10
Second Semester
- IFWA 1427 - Food Preparation II 4 Course Credits
- CHEF 2301 - Intermediate Food Preparation 3 Course Credits
- CHEF 1341 - American Regional Cuisine 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 10
Third Semester (Summer)
- IFWA 1318 - Nutrition for the Food Service Professional 3 Course Credits
- CHEF 1310 - Garde Manger 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 6
Second Year
First Semester
- CHEF 1445 - International Cuisine 4 Course Credits
- CHEF 2331 - Advanced Food Preparation 3 Course Credits
- PSTR 2331 - Advanced Pastry Shop 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 10
Second Semester
- CHEF 2302 - Saucier 3 Course Credits
- CHEF 2336 - Charcuterie 3 Course Credits
- CHEF 2380 - Cooperative Education-Culinary Arts/Chef Training 3 Course Credits ** or
- CHEF 2371 - Portfolio 3 Course Credits **
Semester Credits: 9
Total Credits Required for Culinary Arts Certificate 2: 45
* Capstone Course
** Requires Department Chair approval
*How Much Will the Program Cost?
Approximate costs for the A.A.S. Degree program are approximately $5,269 for in-district students and $7,519 for those out-of-district. This includes tuition and fees. Additional fees for books and supplies are approximately $1,663.
Approximate costs for the Culinary Arts Certificate program are approximately $3,248 for in-district students and $4,996 for those out-of
district. This includes tuition and fees. Additional fees for books and supplies are
approximately
$998.
*Alvin Community College may change tuition rates and other fees without notice or when directed by the Board of Regents.
Alvin Community College Culinary Arts is honored to be able to offer, our students, three different scholarship opportunities. Each scholarship has its own criteria that the applicant must meet. A student may receive only one scholarship (through ACC Culinary Arts) per academic year.
For more information regarding scholarships, please visit Academic Works.
COLLEGE & CAREER PATHWAYS
Culinary Arts is part of our Tourism & Hospitality Career Pathway.