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Culinary education can take many shapes and forms. The question is, how
do you choose from the more than 500 apprenticeships, vocational schools,
and college and university programs out there? Obviously, you may have
your own criteria, but the following points are important to remember.
Program Length
Career culinary and cooking programs can range anywhere from a few weeks
to three or four years. The curriculum in programs that are less than
a year will typically prepare you for an entry level position, while two
and four year degree programs include general education and elective courses
and will provide a much more well-rounded education. Curricula for programs
of a year or less consist primarily of culinary courses that prepare you
for an entry level position.
How Much Is It?
Money is concern to most people, so it obviously warrants a top billing.
Tuition costs can range from a few hundred dollars at a community college
to $10,000 per year from some culinary schools which offer specialized
programs. If cost is a big obstacle for you, don't forget to inquire about
scholarships and loans, which are often available for prospective chefs
of any age. The key is to apply for them.
Does The Program Timetable Fit Your Timetable?
If you cannot attend a school full time (a fact that many have to deal
with), consider part-time programs or those with more flexible scheduling.
Faculty Qualifications
At most colleges, instructors will be certified by the American Culinary
Federation, have a university degree and a lot of industry experience.
It's always good to make sure that this is the case.
School Accreditation
A school that has been operating for more than five years should have
some form of accreditation. Check on this. As well, you should know that
colleges are generally accredited by any one of six regional associations
across America. Private colleges are generally accredited by one of three
organizations. Currently, the American Culinary Federation accredits 90+
post-secondary institution programs in culinary arts and food service
management.
Will You Get Real-World Experience?
In a lot of cases, schools will feature open to the public restaurants
which are staffed by students as part of their programs. This is an excellent
way to gain real world experience. Still others offer intern or externships
which are necessary in order to graduate.
What Kind Of Job Expectations Will Your School Provide?
Obviously, you will be attending the school in order to get a job. So,
will the school's placement office be able to find you a great job? The
best way to find this out is to get a list of names of graduates and contact
them to find out if they were helped by their school. Consider this an
investment: research is key to your success.
If you have any questions or comments about this article,
please e-mail the Editor at editors AT this domain.
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