Program Overview

Associate of Science in Culinary Arts: Professional Cooking

Program Overview

The Professional Cooking Associate of Science is the beginning level of professional cooking with the added completion of your general education requirements to earn your Associate of Science degree from Cerritos College. This tier of your education prepares our students for entry-level to mid-level employment.

Salary, Growth, and Careers

Salary

Careers associated with this program have a salary range from $33,000 to $81,000 with an average salary of $49,000.

Growth

Career opportunities for this program are expected to grow nationwide from 2022 to 2032.

Careers

• First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
  • Education Level: High school diploma or equivalent
  • Job Growth: +4.9%
  • Average Salary: $47,000
  • Salary Range: $37,000 - $53,000
• Bakers
  • Education Level: No formal educational credential
  • Job Growth: +4.9%
  • Average Salary: $40,000
  • Salary Range: $35,000 - $43,000
• Chefs and Head Cooks
  • Education Level: High school diploma or equivalent
  • Job Growth: +5.3%
  • Average Salary: $67,000
  • Salary Range: $49,000 - $78,000
• Cooks, All Other
  • Education Level: No formal educational credential
  • Job Growth: +3.2%
  • Average Salary: $39,000
  • Salary Range: $33,000 - $41,000
• Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
  • Education Level: No formal educational credential
  • Job Growth: +2.1%
  • Average Salary: $46,000
  • Salary Range: $38,000 - $49,000
• Cooks, Private Household
  • Education Level: Postsecondary nondegree award
  • Job Growth: -5.5%
  • Average Salary: $65,000
  • Salary Range: $34,000 - $81,000
• Cooks, Restaurant
  • Education Level: No formal educational credential
  • Job Growth: +20.4%
  • Average Salary: $42,000
  • Salary Range: $36,000 - $45,000

Program Map

Associate of Science in Culinary Arts: Professional Cooking

• 60.0 - 66.5 Units

Program Pathway

• Fall 2024 (1st Term): 16.0 Units
  • MAJ CA 101: Introduction to Food Service, Safety, and Sanitation (2.0 Units)
  • MAJ CA 120: Introduction to the Hospitality Industry (3.0 Units)
  • MAJ CA 250: Professional Cooking I (7.0 Units)
  • GEN Proficiency: Mathematics (4.0 Units)
• Spring 2025 (2nd Term): 15.0 - 15.5 Units
  • MAJ CA 251: Professional Cooking II (8.0 Units)
  • MAJ CA 230: Professional Healthy Cooking (3.0 Units)
  • GEN English Composition (4.0 - 4.5 Units)
• Fall 2025 (3rd Term): 15.0 - 17.0 Units
  • MAJ CA 252: Professional Cooking III (8.0 Units)
  • GEN U.S. History or Government (3.0 Units)
  • GEN Humanities (3.0 - 5.0 Units)
  • GEN Proficiency: Health & Wellness (1.0 Units)
• Spring 2026 (4th Term): 14.0 - 18.0 Units
  • GEN Natural Sciences (3.0 - 5.0 Units)
  • GEN Communication and Analytical Thinking (3.0 - 5.0 Units)
  • ELEC Elective (3.0 Units)
  • ELEC Elective (3.0 Units)
  • ELEC Elective (2.0 Units)

Education Levels

Education levels are meant to represent what is typical for entry into the career, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.