Program Overview
Introduction to Culinary Arts Certificate
Unlock your culinary potential with St. Thomas University’s online Introduction to Culinary Arts Certificate. This 15-college credit program is your gateway to mastering the fundamental culinary skills, the art of cooking, and food & beverage management, all from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Program Overview
In this program, you will learn about career opportunities in the food & beverage industry as part of the world of hospitality and tourism. You will master kitchen techniques and skills, explore cuisines, cooking methods, nutritional concepts, and the world of ingredients. You will prepare both savory and sweet creations from soups, salads, sauces, grains, meats, poultry, seafood to breads and desserts.
Tuition
- $999 per course
Courses
- HFT 1800: Food & Beverage Management This course provides an overview of Food & Beverage Operations in the Tourism and Hospitality setting. Students are introduced to various career opportunities within Food & Beverage segment by exploring the different types of operations. Focuses on the impact of Food & Beverages on Tourism destinations and Hospitality offerings. Various service styles and Cultural nuances are also explored.
- CUL 100: Culinary Foundations This course will help students learn the techniques practiced in the professional kitchen: the craft, the tools, food safety and sanitation, basic knife skills, and mise en place. Students will be introduced to moist and dry heat cooking methods, basic plating and nutrition concepts.
- CUL 200: Culinary Fundamentals This foundational level course will focus on cooking applications with a product or ingredient focus. Students will be introduced to salads & dressings, vegetables, eggs, soups, sauces, rice, grains, and legumes.
- CUL 300: Culinary Essentials This essential level course will focus on cooking applications with a product or ingredient focus. Students will be introduced to pasta, meat & poultry, fish, bread baking and pastry arts.
- CUL 400: Advanced Seafood Cookery This advanced course provides students with an understanding of the primary culinary categories of fish and seafood, the proper handling and fabrication of various forms of seafood, and how to best apply culinary techniques to make the most of the seafood available.
Career Landscape
Graduates with a college certificate in Culinary Arts have diverse and growing career opportunities in the food and hospitality industry. They can pursue roles as chefs, pastry chefs, line cooks, caterers, food stylists, or restaurant managers, with many advancing to executive chef or head chef positions over time. The demand for skilled culinary professionals remains strong, with the food service industry projected to grow by 10% over the next decade. Graduates can work in restaurants, hotels, bakeries, cruise ships, or catering businesses, or even start their own food ventures. With experience, many culinary professionals see significant salary increases and career advancement opportunities in high-end dining, food media, or specialized cuisine sectors. Or you can choose to cook at home, just for your enjoyment and that of your family and friends!
In the Classroom
STU’s Culinary Arts Certificate offers a flexible and hands-on learning experience, allowing students to study anytime, anywhere through an online platform. Students watch instructional videos, access curated recipes, and review equipment lists to deepen their understanding of culinary techniques. Learning is assessed through online quizzes and practical assignments, where students create their own culinary projects at home and document their progress through video submissions using their phone. This approach provides an interactive and immersive experience, enabling students to develop professional kitchen skills at their own pace while receiving feedback and guidance from instructors.
Introduction to Culinary Arts Certificate Fast Facts
- Dedicated Faculty: Learn from credentialed experts, with dedicated faculty for each course.
- Flexible Schedule: Commit approximately 15 hours a week at your convenience
- Interactive Learning: Engage through live or on-demand videos
