The University of Phoenix Culinary School: Your Recipe for Success

Turn your passion for the culinary arts into a successful career in one of the world's fastest growing industries. The culinary industry is highly competitive; so if you are dreaming of a career in the cooking world, a formal education is the best way to get started.

Second only to government in terms of size, the hospitality industry employs thirteen million people. The National Restaurant Association estimates that 2 million more jobs will be available in the upcoming decade. Whether you seek a successful career as a chef, a baking and pastry chef, or a restaurant manager, the University of Phoenix can connect you with program that is right for you and get your culinary career started.

Owner/operator candidates benefit from the management and business skills that are imparted alongside a top notch culinary education. Individual specialties like pastries and Garde Manger training are hammered home with intensive programs that dissect each discipline.

School History for U of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix has been looking toward the future for more than 30 years. Founded in 1976 by Dr. John Sperling, the University was based on one innovative idea: make higher education easily accessible for working students.

The culinary field is one in which a great deal of learning takes place on the job.  As a result, many culinary students are employed full-time as cooks while they are going to school.  The flexible scheduling offered by The University of Phoenix caters to career minded culinary professionals who need to earn will they learn.

The University was a pioneer in the field of online education, and remains one of the best online colleges worldwide.  Over 200 locations provide ample opportunity for classroom study, but for many students the online programs are a perfect fit.  The University of Phoenix is the largest private university in North America, so the resources available to students are unmatched by smaller schools.

Diverse job opportunities exist within the culinary arts profession, from chefs and food researchers, to food photographers and nutrition consultants.  The wide umbrella of the hospitality industry includes the culinary arts, restaurant management, hotel management, and even the travel planning sector.

A culinary education should give you top-notch, hands-on experience and a well-rounded knowledge of the hospitality industry.  Specific specialties within the field present specialized training for students to understand the nuances of various hospitality jobs.

If you want to make your mark as an accomplished pastry chef, your education should be focused in the direction that will give you the greatest pool of pastry arts knowledge from which to draw.  On the other hand, if your ultimate goal is to operate your own boutique hotel and restaurant, your training should go well beyond the scope of kitchen skills.

Students that are able to refine their educational approach toward a specialty area sometimes benefit, in terms of a faster track toward employment.  Some students prefer to secure general culinary educations and grow their careers as they work their way up through the kitchen ranks.

Why Study the Culinary Arts?

The University of Phoenix offers certificate and diploma programs designed to expand your employment opportunities. Whether you decide to master a particular area like baking, or educate yourself in the general overview of kitchen management, a degree can provide the training and credentials you need to get a great job.

The Associate of Arts in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism degree program offered by The University of Phoenix provides course work and practical application in food service, lodging management, and tourism settings. The concentration courses emphasize leadership and knowledge required for a solid foundation of management practices crucial to today’s culinary industry. Successful completion of this associate’s degree will help prepare students for further study in related programs at the bachelor’s degree level.

Earning a bachelor's degree in culinary arts allows you further specialization in your specific career choice. Some specialized areas of study include beverage service management, food and beverage management, baking and pastry, restaurant ownership, restaurant management, and culinary arts management. The University of Phoenix can offer you higher educational opportunities resulting in a bachelor’s degree.

With convenient culinary class locations across the U.S., as well as extensive online learning opportunities, the University of Phoenix brings a quality hospitality education within your grasp.  It is up to you to grab hold with a passion for the craft and a commitment to your culinary future. Whatever Culinary Arts or Hospitality Degree you desire, you can be sure the University of Phoenix can help you reach your goal.

Convenient Campus Locations

Phoenix campuses are in close proximity to large metro areas, which makes them easily accessible to you. You’ll  find campuses for the University of Phoenix in Jacksonville, Florida; Houston, Texas; Birmingham, Alabama; Kansas City, Missouri; Savannah, Georgia; San Diego, California; Cordova, Tennessee; Metairie, Louisiana; Augusta, Georgia; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Honolulu, Hawaii and dozens of other easily accessible locations across the U.S.

Online learning is available nationwide, and provides a great alternative for some students.  A blended curriculum of hands-on training and online instruction is a popular mode of study for working students who need flexibility.  This is especially valuable for culinary students since so much food knowledge is driven home on the job.

Accreditation

University of Phoenix is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. University of Phoenix accepts transfer credits from accredited institutions which are evaluated on an individual basis. You may also earn credit from national testing such as CLEP, DANTES, and Advanced Placement examinations. University of Phoenix also grants credit for previous professional and military training.

Financial Aid Opportunities

University of Phoenix honors scholarships such as CBC Spouses Flexible Education Scholarship, First Chance^SM Scholarship Program, Making It Count Scholarship Program, Maricopa Community Colleges Scholarship, and Paying It Forward^SM Scholarship Program.

University of Phoenix offers unique national scholarship programs, as well as state-specific programs, as you can see here.

The university also participates in federal financial aid programs such as Federal Pell Grant, Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Stafford Student Loan, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal PLUS Loan, the National SMART Grant and the U.S. Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant. Private loans are also available.