An online master’s degree in cooking may equip students with the skills and training required for a cooking career at the highest leadership level. In this one to two-year program, students may have the opportunity to focus on a specific area of food and cooking including hospitality management and food science. Program coursework may include specialized electives alongside major-specific courses including food toxicology, food protection management, and food chemistry.

Upon graduation, students may either seek employment or further their education by pursuing a doctoral degree in cooking. Master’s-level graduates may find employment in hospitality management, food service, and food manufacturing.

Program Overview

• Prerequisite: Bachelor’s Degree
• Program Length: One to two years to complete
• Post-Grad Options: Employment or Doctoral Program
• Projected Employment Growth: -1% (2010-2020)*

Program Coursework

The curriculum within an online master’s degree program in cooking may include a combination of specialized electives and core courses. These courses may teach students the fundamentals of food production, cost control in cooking and food management, and cooking safety. Core cooking courses may include the following:

• Food Systems
• Food Culture and History
• Research in Food and Agriculture
• Food Microbiology
• Food Chemistry
• Food Toxicology
• Food Protection Management

Career Options

Master’s-level graduates may pursue employment in hotels, restaurants, food manufacturers, healthcare food service, and school food service programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those seeking careers as a chef or head cook may see a decline in employment opportunities of 1% from 2010-2020.*

Possible careers include:

• School Food Service Administrator
• Food Distribution Account Manager
• Head Chef
• Food Service Manager
• International Hospitality Manager

Continuing Education

Students who successfully complete an online master’s degree in cooking may wish to continue their education by entering a doctoral program in cooking. A doctoral degree may provide students with expertise through extensive research in a specific area of cooking, food science, and nutrition.

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