Hyde Park, New york

Founded in 1946 , The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) is a highly regarded culinary school headquartered in Hyde Park, New York. CIA also has campuses in Napa and St. Helena, California, in San Antonio, Texas, and in Singapore.

Its status as private and not-for-profit makes CIA unique among schools that focus solely on culinary training (most are for-profit), and helps ensure that it provides a top-notch education to its students. It is the first school to offer an Associate degree program in culinary arts (1971), as well as a Bachelor degree program (1991)

CIA offers several Associate and Bachelor degree options, which allow for varying levels of specification and flexibility in choosing a career path. You could train to become a five-star head chef, a pastry chef skilled in the art of delicate, decadent sweets, or study Food Business Management and learn what it takes to run your own restaurant.

You can start from scratch, but, notably, if you have prior experience working in a professional kitchen, you may qualify to study culinary arts in their accelerated program. Another unique offering at CIA is their BPS in Culinary Science, which would prepare you for a career in research and development in the food industry.

Besides just providing a strong education, CIA works to help students with career placement and advancement. Each degree program includes a paid externship, giving students on-the-job experience as well as professional connections. Through industry leadership conferences and a large network of alumni, CIA helps its students connect with potential employers and get lined up with a career in their field.

CIA boasts numerous celebrity chef alumni, with Anthony Bourdain being perhaps their most notable example.

The Culinary Institute of America is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE). However, its culinary programs are not accredited by ACF.

Degree Programs:

• Bachelor of Business Administration – Food Business Management
• Bachelor of Professional Studies – Applied Food Studies
• Bachelor of Professional Studies – Culinary Science
• Associate of Occupational Studies – Culinary Arts
• Associate of Occupational Studies – Culinary Arts, Advanced Career Experience Program
• Associate of Occupational Studies – Baking and Pastry Arts