Guide to Baking & Pastry Degree Programs

Baking and pastry certificate or degree courses are on offer from many different cooking schools, commonly referred to as culinary schools. Although online culinary schools are generally not available, there are cooking schools located in most major cities of the U.S.

A typical two-year associate degree would include both theoretical and hands-on training. Students would learn how to produce a variety of different products such as artisan and specialty breads, petit fours and pastries, confections and show pieces, and tortes and special occasion cakes. Theory classes would include health and hygiene, larder management, food safety and cost control.

Many culinary schools also offer longer bachelor's degrees. These programs usually include all the practical work of the associate's degree but involve learning about topics such as business management, marketing, finance, computing and personnel management.

A variety of certificates in baking and pastry skills are on offer at a range of culinary and cooking schools, many of which focus on a particular area such as cake decoration or restaurant desserts.

For successful students a range of pastry chef jobs is available, including artisan bread baker, food stylist, chocolatier, or caf� owner.