How Long Does It Take To Graduate from Culinary Arts School at ICE?

That’s because ICE’s Culinary Arts programs are designed to meet the needs of all kinds of students — and by “all kinds of students,” we mean recent high school and college grads; working professionals (with full-time jobs); career changers; parents… You get the idea.

Different students have different demands on their time, so each of our programs is offered on different days and at different times of day (morning, afternoon, evening). Additionally, online classes are also available to students in certain states. 

When you enroll, you become part of a “cohort” made up of culinary students with whom you will attend classes until you graduate. Your cohort meets on the same days at the same time for the duration of your program (versus mixing and matching classes across cohorts).  

The days and time you choose to attend ICE not only determine your cohort, they also determine the length of your program, which can be as little as eight to 14 months.  

If this sounds confusing, don’t worry. It’s a lot simpler than it sounds, and it’s designed to make going to culinary school while also living your existing life as seamless as possible.

Read on for more information on how that happens.

What programs does ICE offer?

ICE has various career training programs that are tailored to meet specific interests. These include Culinary Arts; Plant-Based Culinary Arts; Pastry & Baking Arts; Restaurant & Culinary Management; and Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management.

All of these programs are offered as diploma programs. Some of them are offered as associate degree programs.

How long are ICE programs?

Whether you’re just starting your education, or you’re aiming to change your career, understanding the time commitment required for a culinary arts diploma can be a defining consideration.

However, program durations vary — and even within a specific program, several factors can determine how long it takes any single student to finish. That’s because the length of a culinary arts program can depend on several factors.

Five key factors are: 

• your professional goals
• your area of interest and study
• your program (diploma or degree)
• your preference for full-time or part-time study
• the pacing of your externship.

Whatever your needs and parameters, ICE likely has a program schedule that works for you.

What is the duration of ICE's diploma programs?

ICE’s diploma programs are steeped in both theory and practice. They are designed to prepare students for employment in a variety of restaurant and hospitality settings. Depending on your specialization and where you study (online or in-person at ICE LA or ICE NYC), your diploma program coursework can be completed in as little as eight months. Thanks to various program options, it’s possible to work while attending culinary school.

An array of class schedules are available to students who enroll in these programs:

• Culinary Arts
• Plant-Based Culinary Arts
• Pastry & Baking Arts

The below program schedule can be completed in as little as eight months, including externship. It's set up as follows:

• 5 sessions per week
• 4 hours per session
• morning session or afternoon session

Additional program schedules can be completed in as little as 10 months, including externship. They are available as follows: 

• Option A: Weeknights  
  • 3 sessions per week
  • 4 hours per session
• Option B: Weekends (NYC campus only)
  • 2  sessions per week, Saturday and Sunday
  • 8 hours per session, 9 am – 5 pm

Online versions of each of these diploma programs are also available.

• Online cooking and baking programs (Online Culinary Arts, Online Plant-Based Culinary Arts, and Online Pastry & Baking Arts) require approximately 16 hours of weekly study and at-home practice for a duration of 16 months.

ICE diploma graduates go on to a number of hospitality industry careers. While culinary school trains students for a variety of roles in professional kitchens, ICE alumni also work in catering, recipe development, food media, restaurant management, non-profits and more.

How long does ICE's associate degree in Culinary Arts take to complete?

ICE’s associate degree programs are available to students at ICE’s Los Angeles campus. They include culinary instruction, restaurant & culinary management training, and general education courses. Associate degree programs, including time spent offsite in externship positions take as little as 14 months to complete, and are available to students in either Culinary Arts, Plant-Based Culinary Arts, and Pastry & Baking Arts programs at ICE LA.  

For the various associate degree programs, cooking and management lessons are conducted in person, with schedule options similar to those available to diploma program students (outlined above).  

General education courses are conducted online and include topics relevant to restaurants and other hospitality ventures. Study topics include nutrition, social psychology, and food culture and history. Instruction emphasizes skills like leadership, problem-solving and interpersonal communication.

Can you accelerate your Culinary Arts education at ICE?

Diploma programs in Culinary Arts, Plant-Based Culinary Arts, Pastry & Baking Arts, and Restaurant & Culinary Management may be completed in as little as eight months, making them ideal options for those who are looking to accelerate their studies and jumpstart their culinary careers.

Prior to an externship, which provides hands-on training in a real-world restaurant or hospitality setting, the kitchen or classroom coursework portion of the various programs is completed in about five to six months, depending on the holidays that occur during your program (because the school closes on national holidays). Because sessions last four hours a day — versus a full eight-hour day — many students are able to work while attending ICE.

What are the benefits of ICE's multi-option program schedule?

ICE's scheduling options have their own benefits, chief among them: You can work while you study.

If you’re enrolled for three to five days a week, sessions last three to four hours. If you enroll in weekend classes, the days are longer but only meet twice a week. Both cases make working possible, so that students can support themselves as they pursue their education (and many students find that working in restaurants or related hospitality businesses helps to round out their education).

How do you choose the right program length for your career goals?

All programs offered at ICE, including associate degree programs, can be completed in under 18 months.

In fact, most diploma programs last less than a year. For students who are able to attend sessions five days a week, diploma programs in Culinary Arts, Plant-Based Culinary Arts, Pastry & Baking Arts, and Restaurant & Culinary Management can be completed in as little as eight months.

The right choice for you is one that aligns with your personal and professional goals, financial considerations, and current schedule and commitments.

What are the first steps to enroll at ICE?

For comprehensive information on all ICE programs, download ICE’s New York or Los Angeles Career Program Brochure and Career Catalog.

Enrolling in the school’s various programs is fairly simple. The application is available online and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, and new sessions of diploma and associate degree programs begin regularly — typically about once a month.

To learn more, contact ICE’s Admissions department for personalized information.