| The culinary arts industry is booming; earning potential | | | | In either case, a community college may be your |
| now and in the future is astonishing, and many | | | | answer. The state in which a college resides |
| promising careers are beginning in the halls of culinary | | | | subsidizes the tuition for in-state residents. This means |
| arts institutes right now. However, even if you have a | | | | that you are getting basically the same education as |
| collection of the best recipes around, you can't simply | | | | the expensive private schools, and the state is picking |
| go out and get a job as an executive chef. There are | | | | up most of the tuition tab. Don't assume that just |
| many other considerations in the culinary industry, and | | | | because it costs less that the quality of education is |
| even if you're the next top television chef, you still | | | | not as good--a community college is just as |
| need a certified education in culinary arts. | | | | competent at providing a good education as the |
| If you decide that you are going to pursue a degree in | | | | expensive programs. |
| culinary arts, you need to check out the schools and | | | | Sometimes students are worried about transfer |
| find the one that's best for you. There are many | | | | credits if they have taken courses in another institution |
| programs out there, several ways to access them, | | | | or college and are considering going elsewhere. |
| and most programs are basically the same. A culinary | | | | Although a culinary arts program may not accept |
| arts institute is one such way. These are not | | | | transfer credits, those that have adopted the common |
| inexpensive programs--they are generally private | | | | course numbering system are finding it easier to take |
| programs that are not associated with a state-funded | | | | transfer courses from other colleges and programs. |
| institute of higher learning. However, if this is the | | | | Another concern of students is whether the program |
| program that will meet your overall and specific goals, | | | | is certified. Always check with the institution you're |
| it will be worth the money. | | | | thinking of attending, and make sure its program is |
| If you are simply adding to your education and skills, or | | | | certified by the American Culinary Federation. If so, |
| just improving a hobby, an expensive college may not | | | | that means the program meets the standards set by |
| be for you. Consider a community college or a shorter | | | | the Federation, and the credits you earn there will |
| program (if available). You may not want to spend a | | | | more than likely be accepted by other culinary schools, |
| lot of money on an education you will not use | | | | regardless of where they are in the country. |
| professionally. | | | | |