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Culinary Arts A.A.S.

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Program Available at:

  • Brookhaven
  • Cedar Valley
  • Eastfield
  • El Centro
  • Mountain View
  • North Lake
  • Richland

Catalog Year 2023-2024 You may use this pathway if you entered Dallas College on or before this date.

Degree Type Associate of Applied Science

GPA Requirement Student must earn a GPA of 2.0 or higher

TSI Must be Complete

For more information, visit the Dallas College Culinary and Pastry Arts webpage and your success coach at your campus.

This is an example course sequence for students interested in pursuing the Culinary Arts degree. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. Following this pathway will help you earn an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Culinary Arts. Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours (15 hours) required for graduation through instruction by Dallas College. See catalog for official degree requirements.

The A.A.S. degree in Culinary Arts provides students the basic and advanced skills, practice and experience needed to build a professional culinary career. This degree program will equip students to advance into supervisory roles as their experience and skills develop. Components of the degree program include supervisory and management theory and practice, including nutrition and menu planning, guest service, purchasing, kitchen layout and design, and food and labor cost controls. Hands-on food preparation techniques include both basic theory and advanced practice in garde manger, saucier, quantity production as well as American regional and international cuisines. Practical work experience and academic preparation are also included in this degree to produce well-rounded professionals with the confidence to become leaders in the food and hospitality industry. All CHEF, HAMG, IFWA, PSTR and RSTO courses must be completed with a “C" or better. This award is accredited by the American Culinary Federation and completers qualify for entry-level pastry chef certification. Courses that complete the degree, the Culinary Arts Foundations (CF) and Culinary Arts Specialist (CS) Certificates are noted below.

Visit http://www.dallascollege.edu/transfer and select "Transfer from Dallas College," then click on a university to view more information about transferring to that institution. Speak with your success coach to choose courses that will help you to transfer to a specific university.

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 degree requirements.

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE MINIMUM: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

SEMESTER 1

CHEF 1305 – Sanitation and Safety (Course also applies to CF and CS)

CHEF 1301 – Basic Food Preparation Students must possess Texas State Recognized Food Handler Certification to be admitted to class by the 4th class day. (Course also applies to CF and CS)

PSTR 1301 – Fundamentals of Baking Students must possess Texas State Recognized Food Handler Certification to be admitted to class by the 4th class day. (Course also applies to CF and CS)

CHEF 2331 – Advanced Food Preparation (Course also applies to CF and CS)

HAMG 1321 – Introduction to Hospitality Industry (Course also applies to CF and CS)

SEMESTER 1 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Courses in Semester 1 are taught in 8- and 16-week semesters. Students enrolled in a 16-week semester cannot take CHEF 1301 and CHEF 2331 in the same semester.
  2. Meet with your success coach to confirm academic and career goals before the end of the semester.
  3. Meet with your success coach to research your career options and opportunities for job shadowing.
  4. After reviewing your degree plan and program of study, meet with your success coach and apply for the Culinary Arts Foundations Certificate.

    Total Hours: 15​

SEMESTER 2

CHEF 1310 – Garde Manger (Course also applies to CS)

RSTO 1304 – Dining Room Service (Course also applies to CS)

RSTO 2301 – Principle of Food and Beverage Controls (Course also applies to CS)

MATHEMATICS ELECTIVE This is a Core course. Must earn a grade of “C" or higher. There are several options to fulfill this requirement. See your success coach for a specific list.

SEMESTER 2 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with your success coach to request an official program of study audit and confirm or update your academic/career path.

  2. Meet with a faculty advisor or success coach regarding placement for the Cooperative Education course.

    ​Total Hours: 12

SEMESTER 3

RSTO 1380 – Cooperative Education – Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager (Course also applies to CS) (Students cannot be enrolled in more than one external learning course in the same semester, including RSTO 1380 and CHEF 1264.)

CHEF 2302 – Saucier (Course also applies to CS)

ENGL 1301 – Composition I This is a Core course. Must earn a grade of “C" or higher.

SEMESTER 3 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with your success coach to request an official program of study audit and confirm or update your academic/career path.

    Total Hours: 9​

SEMESTER 4

CHEF 1302 – Principles of Healthy Cuisine

HAMG 1324 – Hospitality Human Resources Management

RSTO 1325 – Purchasing for Hospitality Operations

HUMANITIES/FINE ARTS ELECTIVE This is a Core course. There are several options to fulfill this requirement. See your success coach for a specific list. 

SEMESTER 4 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with a faculty advisor or success coach regarding placement for the Practicum course.

    Total Hours: 12​​

SEMESTER 5

CHOOSE ONE: 

  • CHEF 1441 – American Regional Cuisine (Course also applies to CS) This is the capstone course for this award. OR
  • CHEF 1445 – International Cuisine (Course also applies to CS) This is the capstone course for this award.

CHOOSE ONE: 

  • PSYC 2301 – General Psychology This is a Core course. OR
  • SOCI 1301 – Introduction to Sociology This is a Core course.

CHOOSE ONE: 

  • SPCH 1311 – Introduction to Speech Communication
  • SPCH 1315 – Public Speaking OR
  • SPCH 1321 – Business and Professional Communication These are Core courses.

CHEF 1264 – Practicum (or Field Experience)-Culinary Arts/Chef Training (Students cannot be enrolled in more than one external learning course in the same semester, including RSTO 1380 and CHEF 1264.)

SEMESTER 5 ACTION ITEMS

  1. After reviewing your degree plan and program of study, meet with your success coach to apply for the Culinary Arts Specialist Certificate and the Culinary Arts A.A.S.
  2. Sign up for commencement.
  3. Join the Alumni Network!

    Total Hours: 12​  

DALLAS COLLEGE PATHWAY TOTAL: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

Updated July 15, 2025