Explore a Career in Culinary Arts with an Associate Degree in Baking and Pastry

With an Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry, students learn baking and cooking skills to gain successful employment or career advancement in the food service industry.

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Earn an Associate Degree in Baking and Pastry Designed for You

Blue Ridge CTC’s Associate Degree in Baking and Pastry is designed by industry experts to help students learn culinary foundations for successful careers in the food service, hospitality, and tourism industry.

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Are You a New Student?

Build a solid foundation for a promising career with our Associate Degree in Baking and Pastry. Blue Ridge CTC offers a blend of real-world knowledge and additional workforce skills employers look for in qualified applicants.

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Transferring Schools?

You are not alone, as almost a third of students transfer schools! Check our transfer evaluation tool to save time and money when transferring to our Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry.

138,700

New Jobs

Projected for various in-demand jobs within the food services sector by 2030!

$50,160

Average Salary

Predicted for various food services occupations.

25 %

Job Growth

Predicted for job vacancies within the food services industry between 2021 to 2030!

    • As per BLS, there will be about 138,700 new jobs for professions like Chefs, Cooks, and more within the food services industry by 2030.
    • BLS predicts an average annual median salary of $50,160 for Chefs, Cooks, and similar professions.
    • As per BLS, there will be 25% new jobs in the food services industry in the next decade.

Why Pursue an Associate Degree in Baking and Pastry?

With our 2-year Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry, students learn modern baking and cooking skills employers seek within the workforce. Our degree ensures students:

    • Learn practical skills and advanced pastry techniques.
    • Learn about food safety, sanitation, and nutrition standards.
    • Build a solid base to pursue a successful career in the food service industry.
    • Experience state-of-the-art culinary techniques taught by proven industry professionals.

Build a Rewarding Career with an Associate Degree in Baking and Pastry

Intrigued by the idea of making or growing a career in the ever-expanding food service industry? Blue Ridge CTC’s Baking and Pastry Associate Degree Program equips students with professional baking techniques to seek career opportunities within the food, hospitality, and tourism industry!

Throughout this industry-driven program, students learn about modern cooking skills, sanitation, nutrition standards, product efficiency, food costing, sense of urgency, culinary artistry, and much more.

Earn an Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry from our School of Workforce Development and Engineering Technologies!

2-year

Degree Program

Formats

In Person, Hybrid

60

Credit Hours

Ready to Enroll?

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What Will You Learn? Curriculum Overview

During our Baking and Pastry program, students gain hands-on instruction in a well-equipped culinary kitchen while working with culinary experts. Instruction includes the essentials of cooking, baking, and other culinary aspects.

Students learn core concepts in baking and pastry during the program, such as a culinary food service overview, culinary nutrition, bread fundamentals, food origins, and much more. The curriculum helps to:

    • Understand the core fundamentals of culinary arts.
    • Identify baking ingredients to follow standardized recipes and procedures. Learn accurate measuring and portioning.
    • Learn to handle and operate kitchen equipment safely.

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Build Your Future with Blue Ridge CTC

Blue Ridge CTC offers an industry-focused approach to learning, leading to a path-breaking career and continuing education opportunities.

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    4000+

    Students Per Semester

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    60+

    Degree & Certificate Programs

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    14:1

    Student-Faculty Ratio

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    Fully

    Accredited

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What You Experience at Blue Ridge CTC?

Blue Ridge CTC acts as a catalyst to career goals, gives students exposure to real-time career prospects, and provides a learning environment supporting personal and professional growth.

World-class Pedagogy That Shapes Future Leaders!

Effective faculty is the backbone of any school. Our faculty are committed teachers and scholars who:

Deliver real-world learning to shape a students’ job market competency.

Impart teaching that promotes creativity and sets the base for further 4-year programs.

Extend a smart learning model that raises job prospects.

Integrate best-in-class learning formats and resources to drive focused learning.

Student Support Services and Spaces for Balanced Learning!

We provide comprehensive Student Support Services to promote student success.

Student Services provides a variety of support, including tutoring, accessibility accommodations, and more!

We provide high-tech classes, supporting labs, and study areas to promote a balanced education.

We recognize talent and celebrate performance with awards and acknowledgments.

We have supportive staff to help with personal, professional, and academic challenges.

Placement Assistance to Nurture Careers!

We support students from admission through the career search! Career Services assists students:

Find the right kind of job with a career inventory assessment.

Get assistance on resume writing and referral to participating employer partners.

With interview preparation to boost their morale and get prepared with the right narration to win job negotiations.

Get a holistic learning environment, where they are nurtured to become the next set of professionals entering the workforce.

Promoting Equity to Develop an Intercultural College Environment!

As a community of students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders, we strive for diversity, equity, and inclusion on our campuses, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Campus diversity encourages open dialogue on campus.

Equity removes barriers and ensures equal opportunities are afforded to all.

Our campus offers an inclusive, welcoming environment where all are valued, celebrated, and included.

The campus community promotes diversity and inclusion through a variety of speakers and events.

Hands-on Training and Internship Opportunities

We are committed to providing students with real-time training and internship opportunities to enter the workforce directly after graduating

We provide industry expert instruction to strengthen job-specific skills needed for real-world challenges.

We assist students with internship opportunities to find their way to a successful career.

We provide industry-certified expert supervision and guidance to raise students’ job prospects in the Government and Private sectors.

Our campus is well equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, machinery, hardware, and software required to provide the technical skills needed for real jobs.

Our Learner’s Voice!

Learn more about alumni who successfully reached their goals by earning an education at Blue Ridge CTC!

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Worried About Paying for College? Many Options Exist for Financial Aid

Blue Ridge CTC provides need-based financial aid to qualified applicants, ensuring all students have equal access to quality education.

Whether you are a student worrying about tuition fees or are a parent assisting a child paying for college, we have a wide variety of financial resources available.

    • State and Federal Grant Programs
    • Student Work-Study Opportunities
    • Student Loans
    • Special Grant Funding Opportunities
    • Blue Ridge CTC Foundation Scholarship opportunities

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Have Questions? Talk With an Admissions Counselor Today!

Admissions Counselors and Academic Advisors at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College help students navigate career paths throughout their academic career.

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Expand Your Choices

Explore other programs that may meet your skills, talents, and personal qualities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have doubts about the Blue Ridge CTC’s Associate Degree in Baking and Pastry? We can help!

Students who want to make a career in the culinary arts can pursue an Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry at BRCTC. Admission requirements to this program include a high school diploma or equivalent and a complete application packet. Students who have earned credits at other Colleges or Universities must also provide official copies of those transcripts. There is also a $25 application fee that can be paid at any time once an application is submitted.

An Associate Degree in Baking and Pastry is a good option for students who want to build a strong foundation for a career in the food services industry.

Students who plan to transfer to a four-year college can save time and money by earning this degree.

After earning a Baking and Pastry Degree, students are qualified for many lucrative career opportunities available in the local economy. The program incorporates real-world skills and content-specific knowledge needed to start or expand in a career.

To choose a suitable Baking and Pastry A.A.S. program, students must consider the time to complete, cost of tuition, and quality of the instruction provided.

Students who need additional insight into career options should request a career inventory assessment before exploring course options that align with personal and professional interests.

For the Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry program, students do not require ACT or SAT scores to qualify for admission. Students may need ACT or SAT scores, or free placement testing to qualify for courses such as English, Math, or Chemistry. Placement testing can be scheduled at any time during the application process.

Disclaimer

Note: All salary projections are based on the current position and educational needs. BRCTC cannot guarantee that job titles or the projections given will be the salaries students or graduates will ultimately receive. Two year completion is approximate and based on full-time enrollment. Student testimonials, income statements, and examples on the College website are the results of real students. These testimonials are not intended to guarantee that anyone will achieve the same or similar results. Each individual’s success depends on his or her desire, commitment, dedication, and motivation to pursue academic and workforce opportunities. Testimonials are not intended to create a contract between a student and the College.

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