Associate of Occupational Studies in Baking and Pastry Arts
The Associate of Occupational Studies in Baking and Pastry Arts is a 24-month program that includes two 6-month residencies of classroom work, intensive hands-on learning in the kitchens and food services of NECI, and two 6-month, 700-hour internships. The associate’s degree in Baking and Pastry Arts is designed to prepare qualified students to become skilled culinary professionals specializing in the area of baking and pastry. Focusing on training in the pastry kitchen, this program also includes components in the savory kitchen, business management and general education, and provides students with a comprehensive framework of general skills needed to perform effectively in any food service operation.
As culinary specialists, graduates are able to perform effectively in commercial kitchens, restaurants, hotels, resorts, bakeshops, and pastry shops in such positions as baker, pastry cook, or assistant pastry chef. Highly dedicated and disciplined graduates might perform the responsibilities of head baker or pastry chef.
Educational Objectives
To achieve its primary objective of training skilled bakers and pastry cooks, NECI has established the following educational goals:
- To impart to students a basic theoretical knowledge of baking, pastry, and culinary arts.
- To provide a solid practical training in baking, pastry, and fundamental culinary skills.
- To help students develop the attributes of a good cook, such as speed, stamina, dexterity, hand-eye coordination, timing, and the ability to work with others, while emphasizing the aesthetics of food preparation and presentation.
- To evaluate and strengthen each student’s general education in the relevant areas of English, math, food science, and culinary history.
- To provide students with the rudiments of modern business management practices in the context of the food service industry.
- To secure internships that will assess the nature and quality of each student’s training.
These educational objectives influence all facets of the program, from the curriculum and teaching techniques to the code of student conduct in the classroom, and serve as important guidelines for all those who study at NECI.
Graduates of this program can move directly into the Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts or Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality and Restaurant Management.
To learn more about this program, contact the Admissions department at 1.877.223.NECI (6324) or AdmissionsREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@neci.edu.
There is information here about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who have completed this program, and other important information about this program.
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