Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science

Cook Up a Career in Houston’s Food Scene

Turn your passion for food into real kitchen skills with the Culinary Arts Occupational Certificate at San Jacinto College. This chef- & restaurant-management track equips you to excel in any food service environment—restaurants, hotels, cafés, catering, or private and club dining.

Career Opportunities and Income

Visit sanjac.edu for information regarding career opportunities and potential earnings in the Greater Houston region.

Learning & Career Pathway

This learning pathway - a series of related and “stacked” certificates and degrees - includes the following awards. You can start at any point on the path and earn certificates on your way to completing the degree.

• Culinary Arts, Occupational Certificate (6 months)
• Culinary Arts, Certificate of Technology (1.5 years)
• Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science (2 years)

Learning Outcomes and Career Skills

A student completing the last award in the pathway will be able to:

• Differentiate various types of wholesale and retail cuts of meat using the USDA quality grades and control.
• Perform various types of knife skills and cuts.
• Interpret and practice industry specific policies and procedures regarding sanitation and safety.
• Use various measuring devices.
• Operate professional restaurant equipment.
• Produce and prepare standardized recipes.
• Evaluate workplace concerns or issues and adopt a communication style appropriate for the situation.

Program Accreditation

Accreditation by American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission assures that a program is meeting at least a minimum of standards and competencies set for faculty, curriculum, and student services.

American Culinary Federation
6816 Southpoint Pkwy Ste 400
Jacksonville, FL 32216
904-824-4468
Fax: 904-940-0741

Licensure or Certification

The Culinary Arts program is American Culinary Federation (ACF) certified and is currently the only Culinary Arts program with this certification at the community college level in the greater Houston area. The ACF is widely recognized as the most prestigious accreditation in the nation for a culinary education program. Upon graduation, students will be Certified ACF Culinarians.

External Learning Experiences

This program includes external learning experiences outside of the classroom, e.g., an internship, externship, clinical, practicum, or cooperative learning experience. Those experiences are typically on-site at a business or organization.

All students participating in external learning experiences are required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the external learning sites. Some learning sites outside the college have their own vaccination requirements. These rules come from those facilities and are not mandated from the college. Failure to meet those immunization requirements may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the external learning site.

Locations

• North

College Admission

San Jacinto College is an open admission institution. All students are welcome to apply and will be admitted to the College. You may begin the process on the College’s “How to Apply” webpage.

Program Admission

There are no additional admission requirements for the Culinary Arts program; you only need to complete your application to the College, as noted in “College Admission” above, and follow the enrollment steps.

Plan of Study

3CULA

Capstone Experience: CHEF 2365 Practicum (or Field Experience) - Culinary Arts/Chef Training or HAMG 2305 Hospitality Management and Leadership