Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I become a Culinary or Pastry student?

  Anyone wanting to join a Culinary or Pastry program must simply become an ACC student. If you are not an ACC student, you will need to follow the steps found on the ACC Admission page. If are a current or former ACC student, you will need to meet with an Area of Study (AoS) Specialist to update your major and ensure your record is in good standing.

• Where is the school located?

  We are located at the newly renovated Highland Campus, formerly Highland Mall, located at 6101 Highland Campus Drive, Austin, TX 78752. We grew from a 6,800 sq. ft. facility at the Eastview Campus to a 28,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility with 5 lab kitchens and a stand-alone restaurant.

• How long are the programs?

  The Associates of Applied Science degrees can be completed by a full-time student in two years (attending three semesters per year). The Certificate programs are designed to be completed in three semesters (one year), attending school full time. However, there is no minimum course requirement at Austin Community College. You can take as many or as few classes as needed, making it easy to tailor your education to your schedule. Please refer to the degree plans for more information.

• What is the difference between a Certificate and an Associate of Applied Science Degree?

  The Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) takes longer than a Certificate. The course plan for a Certificate only includes classes specific to the culinary industry. The Associate of Applied Science Degree, on the other hand, has general education courses (Mathematics, English Compositition, Oral Communication, Social/Behavioral Science, and Language/Culture & Creative Arts) in addition to culinary-specific courses.

• Can I do both Culinary Arts and Pastry Arts?

  Yes! This is considered dual major. You can either do one program after the other, or you can take the classes for both programs at the same time. If you want to dual major, you will need to meet with an Area of Study Specialist to have your student profile updated.

• How much does it cost to attend?

  At Austin Community College you have access to an affordable, high-quality education. Remember, there are always options you can explore to help pay tuition and other school expenses, including financial aid and veterans benefits. Based upon your residency and district, our Tuition page can help you determine the cost of credit classes.

• What if I’m a transfer student?

  Credit hours from other schools can count towards a program at ACC. To determine which credit hours transfer to ACC your transcripts must be reviewed by an academic advisor. If you plan to advance to a University, ACC credits can be transferred in many instances. Please contact an academic advisor to get started.

• What type of job will I be able to get when I graduate?

  Completing a Culinary Arts program is an excellent way to enter a high-growth profession and excel in your chosen service industry field. You may choose to work in a restaurant, hotel, resort, in catering, in grocery, or even start your own business. There are unlimited directions you can take your career once you graduate. People will always need to eat, which means there will always be a demand for culinary professionals. Students in ACC Culinary Arts programs receive instruction in the more academic aspects of the food service industry, such as purchasing, cost control, and menu engineering which will provide them with a competitive edge. Whichever path you choose, the ACC Culinary Arts program can offer you in-depth knowledge in a wide range of culinary concepts, as well as Hospitality and Business.

   

• What type of salary can I expect to make when I complete my schooling?

  A skilled culinary professional must be able to demonstrate a well-developed sense of taste and smell, exhibit the technical skills of food preparation, understand costs and budgeting, work effectively as part of a team, and comply with health and sanitation standards to be successful in their career. The United States Department of Labor compiles statistics in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, where you can search for information on all different job titles. You can also do salary searches at SalaryFinder. There is no set range of salaries in the food-service industry, which are typically based upon experience and education combined. With the right education from an accredited school there are no limits of where your career can go!

• What are some of the courses I can take?

  ACC offers an array of exciting courses in Culinary Arts, including Basic Food Preparation, Nutrition and Menu Planning, Fundamentals of Baking, and International Cuisine to name a few. Depending on which certificate or degree you choose to obtain, you will be able to take a variety of hands-on classes specific to that degree or certificate.

  Please refer to the Culinary Arts degree plans and course descriptions to review more information on the programs offered through the Culinary Arts Department. This list does not include the general education requirements that you may need to take to complete your certificate or degree.

• Why do I need to get a petition granted in the Culinary Arts department?

  All Culinary Arts students must be advised by the Culinary Arts Department, submit a petition to take Culinary classes, and have this approved before you are allowed to register. This ensures that all students are in the proper classes and that students will graduate in a timely manner. You can find detailed steps on our How to Get Started page.

   

• How do I find out more information about the programs?

  If you find that after reviewing our website you still have additional questions, please contact us at 512.223.5179 or at [email protected].

• Do I need to have any prior culinary knowledge to start the program?

  No! Students just need to have a desire, willingness, and open mind to learn.