Online Catering Degree: Requirements to Enroll in and Complete an Online Catering Degree

Published Sep 16, 2009

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If you are interested in a catering career, you might want to consider earning an online degree, such as an Associate of Applied Science in Advanced Culinary Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Culinary Management. These degree programs prepare students for careers managing or operating their own catering businesses. The following article explores typical requirements for enrolling in and completing a catering degree program.

Enrolling in an Online Catering Degree Program

Because food preparation and the culinary arts requires a good deal of hands-on instruction, online programs in catering are usually aimed at individuals who already possess some culinary expertise. Associate's programs may have minimal enrollment requirements, such as a high school diploma. However, bachelor's degree programs usually require students to have earned an associate's degree or certificate in a related area, such as professional catering, culinary arts or baking and pastries. Some programs require specific culinary backgrounds, such as completion of an accredited cooking program or apprenticeship.

Potential students are usually required to submit an enrollment application with the required fee. High school transcripts may also be requested. Some programs require an interview before students are allowed to enroll in online courses. A few programs may consider college entrance exam scores as well as previous experience.

Completing an Online Catering Degree Program

An online associate's degree program in catering might require two years to complete, while a bachelor's program may take four years or more. Online programs often allow for more flexibility in scheduling and duration. Some programs offer courses in cooking instruction, cuisines and culinary theory. However, many online programs focus on business and management topics, such as human resources, accounting, hospitality law, marketing and customer service. Courses might include menu planning, event management, professional catering, safety and sanitation, beverage management and food purchasing.

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