If you are planning to complete your baking and pastry training quickly and join the industry workforce as soon as possible certificate or diploma programs in baking and pastry arts would be your best choice. These kinds of programs are short in length, more of a career oriented, and they concentrate on the hands on skills needed to obtain entry level positions in the baking industry. Certificate and diploma programs in baking and pastry arts field are usually offered by vocational career schools and community colleges. Some stand alone culinary schools, colleges and universities do offer such programs as well. Below are a brief distinction between the two types of programs, an overview of their coursework, and a list of career schools and community colleges offering these types of programs.
Overview of Certificate Programs in Baking and Pastry Arts:
Students attending a certificate program in baking and pastry arts will the have the advantage of being thoroughly exposed to the craft of baking and pastry and be ready to join the baking and pastry industry in as little as one year, sometimes less. Not only do these certificate programs equip students with the necessary skills needed to become successful pastry chefs or bakers through practical training in commercial-like kitchen labs, they also provide students with the theoretical knowledge about the science of baking and offer them classroom instructions to help them excel in their craft upon graduation. To be able to join a certificate program in baking and pastry arts, a high school diploma is often required. Effective oral and written communication skills are other indispensable qualifications, deemed necessary nowadays by top culinary schools, community colleges, universities and/or career schools.
Baking and Pastry Courses Offered:
Among others, students attending certificate programs in baking and pastry arts are taught the main baking and pastry courses, including theory of baking, bread production, artisan bread, cake decorating, desserts, food sanitation and hygiene.
Overview of Diploma Programs in Baking and Pastry Arts:
Like certificate programs, diploma programs in baking and pastry arts arm students with the theoretical and practical education needed to become successful pastry chefs. The only difference between the two programs is that diploma programs require students to complete couple of elective courses like math, science, writing, languages, and/or humanity courses along side with the main baking and pastry courses. Thus, students attending diploma programs in baking and pastry are likely to graduate within a two-year period, sometimes less. Upon graduation, they'll be ready to create exceptional bread, pastries, cakes and plated desserts. Again, to be able to join these kinds of programs, a high school or general education diploma is required while strong communication skills are indispensable.
Baking and Pastry Courses Offered:
As mentioned earlier, diploma programs in baking and pastry arts feature elective courses in addition to the core baking and pastry courses. Though similar to the courses offered by most baking certificate programs, diploma programs deepen further in the subject matter, and offer additional baking and pastry courses including, bakery production, dough/yeast fundamentals, cooking with chocolate, plated desserts, and how to market your bread and pastry creations.
Community Colleges and Career Schools offering Certificate and Diploma Programs in Baking and Pastry Arts:
- Institute of Technology: Clovis, CA.
- Institute of Technology: Modesto, CA.
- Star Career Academy: Newark, NJ.
- Star Career Academy: Philadelphia, PA.
- Star Career Academy: Long Island, NY.
- YTI Career Institute: York, PA.
- Keystone Technical Institute: Harrisburg, PA.
- Renton Technical College: Renton, WA.
- Cape May County Technical Schools: Cape May Court House, NJ.
- Delaware Technical and Community College: Newark, DE.
- Ashville Buncombe Technical and Community College: Ashville, NC.
- Saint Paul Community and Technical College: Saint Paul, MN.
- Minneapolis Community and Technical College: Minneapolis, MN.
- Saint Louis Community College: Saint Louis, MO.
- Niagara County Community College: Sanborn, NY.
- Sand Hills Community College: Pinehurst, NC.
- South Puget Sound Community College: Olympia, WA.
- Houston Community College System: Houston, TX.
- Valencia Community College: Orlando, FL.
- Pima Community College: Tucson, AZ.
- Columbus State Community College: Columbus, OH.
- Spokane Community College: Spokane, WA.
- El Paso Community College: El Paso, TX.
- Oakland Community College: Bloomfield Hills, MI.
- Central New Mexico Community College: Albuquerque, NM.
- Madison Area Technical College: Madison, WI.
- Suffolk County Community College: Selden, Riverhead, NY.
- Luzerne County Community College: Nanticoke, PA.
- Harrisburg Area Community College: Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, PA.
- Johnson County Community College: Overland Park, KS.
- Milwaukee Area Technical College: Milwaukee, WI.
- Moraine Valley Community College: Palos Hills, IL.
- Henry Ford Community College: Dearborn, MI.
- Grand Rapids Community College: Grand Rapids, MI.
- Brookdale Community College: Lincroft, NJ.
- Delgado Community College: New Orleans, LA.
- Erie Community College: Buffalo, Orchard Park, NY.
- Washtenaw Community College: Ann Arbor, MI.
- Truckee Meadows Community College: Reno, NV.
- Mott Community College: Flint, MI.
- Elgin Community College: Elgin, IL.
- Mercer County Community College: Trenton, NJ.
- Pulaski Technical College: North Little Rock, AR.
- Edmonds Community College: Lynnwood, WA.
- Cincinnati State Technical and Community College: Cincinnati, OH.
- Hudson County Community College: West New York, Jersey City, NJ.
- Lincoln Land Community College: Springfield, IL.
- Seattle Central Community College: Seattle, WA.
