How Long Does It Take To Get a Culinary Degree?

The good news is that numerous cooking schools and culinary programs exist, with many of them (like the culinary programs offered by ICE) available both in-person and online. The latter makes it possible for students living and working outside of culinary capitals like New York and Los Angeles to experience a curriculum similar to those who study on campus.

In both cases, your availability and preferred graduation timeline matter. (At least, they do at ICE. It’s how new students determine the course schedule they will take.)  

Offering both associate degree programs and diploma programs, ICE has curriculums to fit a variety of educational goals, enabling students to equip themselves with skills that hiring managers for professional kitchens and other food-related endeavors find desirable.

It also has course schedules designed for an array of lifestyles, from full-time employees and mid-life career changers to recent high school and college grads. Options include part-time or full-time; and weekday, weeknight or weekend. Of course, how frequently you attend will determine how quickly you’re done.

Here’s a breakdown of how long it takes to graduate from culinary school.

What culinary training programs exist?

Culinary Certificates & Diplomas

Certificates and diplomas are often used interchangeably to signify a non-degree program, with individual schools defining the unique characteristics of each. 

At ICE, certificate courses are typically short and intensive, and they are not designed with a specific career goal in mind. Diploma programs, on the other hand, are immersive professional training focused on skills development and experiential kitchen work. A culinary diploma can be a great path into an entry-level kitchen job and is useful to supplement previous education, such as non-culinary bachelor’s degrees, with the culinary-focused skills needed for a professional cooking job.

Associate Degrees in Culinary Arts

An Associate Degree in Culinary Arts is a more expansive option than a diploma. Here, students receive hands-on cooking lessons plus management and leadership training and general education classes (such as the history and culture of food). The credits earned in an Associate Degree program can usually be applied toward a Bachelor’s Degree, and the Associate Degree itself can be especially helpful when pursuing work in more corporate food career settings (such as retail and operations).

How long do culinary school diplomas and associate degrees take?

The time it takes to complete your culinary training will vary based on your chosen schedule and program. Below are estimated timelines for ICE’s diploma and degree programs:

• Diploma: 8-12 months
• Associate Degree: 14-18 months

Why are some culinary programs longer than others?

Full-Time vs. Part-Time Enrollment

A key determinant of how long your program takes is whether you enroll in full-time or part-time coursework. The former will almost certainly be shorter. The latter, though longer, is often ideal for students who work or have other time-intensive commitments.  

Program Structure and Curriculum

Many culinary programs require students to complete a hands-on work requirement like an internship or externship — so they can gain real-world experience in a hospitality setting.

That said, some degree programs accept transfer-credits from other schools or programs. ICE is among them, so long as the transfer credits were issued by a accredited post-secondary institution. (More info on this topic is below and in ICE's NY course catalog and LA course catalog.) Applying these credits means students can take a lighter course load and/or shorten their total time in culinary school.

Two Key Considerations: Your Career Goals & Your Schedule

Career Goals

When choosing your culinary program, consider your future goals and past education. For example: Can you leverage your past education to benefit your culinary education? Will the culinary program you’re considering complement your existing education? 

Diploma and certificate programs are great options for people with business and management backgrounds, or those looking for entry-level jobs in professional kitchens. For those with less experience who are aiming to get into management, a degree-level education program may be best.

Choosing Your Schedule

Another aspect of culinary program selection is scheduling. Big dreams are important, but so is being realistic about the time you have to commit to them. For example, enrolling full-time in a daytime program while commuting long-haul and working two jobs is not likely doable. That doesn’t mean, however, that your dreams must be dashed. Part-time programs with weekend and weeknight options exist for this reason.

What are the costs and benefits of attending culinary school?

As with any education, pursuing a culinary degree is an investment in long-term earning potential. The cost of attending a professional training program can vary widely, so the question to ask yourself is, “Will this expense positively impact my overall career trajectory?”

This question is helpful in assessing the value of culinary school (because cost is a flat number; value is the cost-to-benefits ratio). Acquiring foundational cooking skills and techniques; understanding the language and functions of a professional kitchen; and building a network of colleagues, career counselors and prospective employers are just a few of the ways in which the cost-to-benefits ratio can be calculated.

Tips for Shortening Your Culinary Education Timeline

At the center of all culinary school programs are kitchen skills — techniques, ingredients, time management, flavor profiles, and more. However, students often bring skills learned in previous academic settings with them, and these skills can help with (and occasionally cover) certain general education classes required for graduations — especially those in degree-granting programs.

For ICE, the key factor in determining if credits can transfer and apply to your culinary school diploma or degree requirement is whether or not said credits were awarded by an accredited post-secondary institution. Here, it does not matter if the coursework credits in question were completed in high school or college; rather, it matters that the credits came from a college and appear on a college transcript. 

Is ICE the right culinary school for your goals?

ICE offers several levels of professional culinary training, which means students can tailor their educational experience to their availability and goals.

Diploma programs can be completed in as little as 8 months. Degree programs take just over a year. In both cases, students have access to renowned instructors in a hands-on learning environment, and alumni benefit from the school’s vast network and record of excellence cultivated over 50 years.

So… how long does it actually take to get a culinary degree?

The answer depends on the student and what they hope to gain from their training. It also depends on their selected schedule and the speed with which they complete their off-site externship.

If you’re interested in going to culinary school, a good first step is figuring out your options — taking in-person or online classes; attending full-time or part-time; etc. — and speaking to an Admissions Representative at the schools that interest you.

Culinary School Faqs

How quickly can you become a Chef?

For those looking to receive a quality culinary education and start their professional cooking career, ICE’s diploma programs provide the training and hands-on experience needed to get you out of the classroom and into the industry in as little as 8 months.

That said, just like a Master of Business Administration degree doesn’t make you an automatic CEO, a culinary school degree doesn’t mint you a “Chef” overnight. This title, conferred from respect and authority, requires years of experience to acquire.

Whether your goal is recipe development, food media, personal cheffing or working in professional kitchens, a formal culinary education is a great place to start. 

* Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash