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Culinary Arts Foundations Certificate

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Program Available at:

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

Catalog Year 2024-2025 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

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 Foundations Certificate. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. Following this pathway will help you earn a Culinary Arts Foundations 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.

This level-one certificate is designed to provide the student with the skills necessary to obtain employment as a prep cook, cook or pastry cook. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of food safety and sanitation as well as supervision theory. In the lab classes, students will learn fundamental cooking and baking techniques as well as advanced cooking skills. Students are required to complete an External Learning Experience through a culinary or bakery/pastry practicum in which the student must obtain food preparation or baking/pastry cook employment, respectively, and work at least 20 hours per week during that semester. This certificate is a building block towards the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Culinary Arts. Courses that complete the Culinary Arts Foundations Certificate are noted below.  All CHEF, PSTR 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: 18 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

SEMESTER 1

CHEF 1305 – Sanitation and Safety

PSTR 1301 – Fundamentals of Baking Students must possess Texas State Recognized Food Handler Certification to be admitted to class by the 4th class day.

CHEF 1301 – Basic Food Preparation Students must possess Texas State Recognized Food Handler Certification to be admitted to class by the 4th class day.

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.

    ​Total Hours: 9

SEMESTER 2

CHEF 2331 – Advanced Food Preparation This is the capstone course for this award.

HAMG 1321 – Introduction to Hospitality Industry

CHEF 1302 – Principles of Healthy Cuisine

SEMESTER 2 ACTION ITEMS

  1. After reviewing your degree plan and program of study, meet with your success coach to apply for the Culinary Arts Foundations Certificate. 

    ​​Total Hours: 9​  

DALLAS COLLEGE PATHWAY TOTAL: 18 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

Updated July 14, 2025