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Culinary Arts Specialist Certificate

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Program Available at:

  • El Centro

Catalog Year 2021-2022 You may use this pathway if you entered Dallas College on or before this date.

Degree Type Level 1 Certificate

GPA Requirement Student must earn a GPA of 2.0 or higher

TSI May be Exempt

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For more information, visit the Dallas College Culinary Arts webpage and your academic advisor at the El Centro Campus.

This is an example course sequence for students interested in pursuing the Culinary Arts Specialist Certificate. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. Following this pathway will help you earn a Culinary Arts Specialist Certificate. Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by Dallas College. See catalog for official certificate requirements.

Prior to enrollment, you must complete the Culinary Arts Foundations Certificate. The Culinary Arts Specialist Certificate is designed to build upon the skills learned in the Culinary Arts Foundatio​ns Certificate. Students will learn advanced food service management theory including food and labor cost controls. Lab classes include front of house service management and execution as well as advanced culinary techniques and quantity cooking through the execution of the El Centro Food and Hospitality Institute student-operated restaurant. This certificate is a building block towards the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Culinary Arts. Courses that complete the Culinary Arts Specialist Certificate are noted below. All CHEF and RSTO courses must be completed with a “C" or better.

Students pursuing this certificate are waived from the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards, but must meet course prerequisites, as long as the student completes the TSI waiver form prior to enrollment.

SEMESTER-BY-SEMESTER MAP FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS

All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students. This is not an official degree plan. See catalog for official certificate requirements.

CERTIFICATE MINIMUM: 40 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

SEMESTER 1

CHEF 1305 – Sanitation and Safety

CHEF 1301 – Basic Food Preparation

PSTR 1301 – Fundamentals of Baking

SEMESTER 1 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with a faculty or career advisor regarding placement for the first Cooperative course.

 Total Hours: 9

SEMESTER 2

CHEF 2331 – Advanced Food Preparation

HAMG 2301 – Principles of Food and Beverage Operations

RSTO 1325 – Purchasing for Hospitality Operations

RSTO 1304 – Dining Room Service

SEMESTER 2 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with your advisor to request an official program of study audit and confirm your career path.

Total Hours: 12

​SEMESTER 3

CHEF 1310 – Garde Manger

RSTO 2301 – Principle of Food and Beverage Controls

CHEF 2302 – Saucier

RSTO 1380 – Cooperative Education - Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager

IFWA 1318 – Nutrition for the Food Service Professional

CHOOSE ONE:   

SEMESTER 3 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with a career advisor or coach for assistance in preparing for job search.
  2. After reviewing your degree plan and program of study, apply for graduation the Culinary Arts Specialist Certificate. 

Total Hours: 19

 PATHWAY TOTAL: 40 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

Updated August 10, 2025