An online bachelor’s degree in baking and pastry arts may provide students with the leadership skills and training needed to prepare pastry and baked goods. Students enrolled in these four-year programs may learn how to operate a safe food operation, present pastry and baked items at a professional level, and use healthful baking techniques. Coursework within these programs may include general education courses, cooking-related electives, and major-specific classes, such as sugar artistry, decorative breads, and advanced wedding cake design.

Upon graduation, students may seek entry-level employment or continue their education and enroll in a graduate-level program in baking and pastry arts. Baccalaureate-level graduates may find employment opportunities in tourism, hospitality, and manufacturing.

Program Overview

• Prerequisite: High School Diploma or GED
• Program Length: Four years to complete
• Post-Grad Options: Entry-Level Employment or Master’s / Doctoral Program
• Projected Employment Growth: 2% (2010-2020)*

Program Coursework

The curriculum within an online bachelor’s degree in baking and pastry arts may include general education requirements, cooking-based electives, and major-specific courses. In these four-year programs, students may learn how to master their vision to create artisan breads, desserts, wedding cakes, and chocolate pieces. Core baking and pastry arts courses may include the following:

• Marketing and Promoting Food
• Anthropology of Food
• Decorative Breads
• Neo-Classic Desserts
• Advanced Wedding Cake Design
• Sugar Artistry
• Food Science

Career Options

Graduates of online baccalaureate-level programs in baking and pastry arts may find careers working in hospitality, tourism, manufacturing, and education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for those pursuing careers as bakers are expected to increase by 2% from 2010-2020.*

Possible careers include:

• Baker
• Food Preparation Worker
• Chocolatier
• Pastry Cook
• Boulanger

Continuing Education

Upon graduation, students may pursue additional education and enroll in a graduate-level program in baking and pastry arts. These upper-level programs may provide students with additional training in pastry arts, including the ability to interpret recipes, gain knowledge on the history of certain dishes, and match ingredients to create a new dish.

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook