Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Culinary Arts program offers chef training (basic and advanced) as well as restaurant management skills. After studying the fundamentals of classical and contemporary cuisine and restaurant procedures, students will develop advanced skills in garde manger and a la carte cooking. Students have the opportunity to choose between a local or distant externship during their final term in the program. The graduate will have the necessary training to work in a variety of culinary positions such as sous chef, garde manger, kitchen supervisor, and restaurant manager.

Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) at Southwestern was granted accreditation by the American Culinary Federation (ACF). This accreditation is the highest level available for initial accreditation by the ACF – the premier professional chefs' organization in North America, focusing its efforts on offering education, apprenticeship and industry certification. With the ACF accreditation, OCCI’s graduates can gain the title of certified culinarian upon graduation, along with their associate’s degrees.

Entry Requirements

For application and fee information, contact OCCI Admissions at 541-888-7195.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 90 credit hours with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. All courses in this program must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better. Twenty-four (24) credits must be completed at Southwestern before the degree is awarded.

Complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program the student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate understanding of safety and sanitation knowledge through application in the kitchen environment in areas of food handling and kitchen equipment use, including knife handling skills.
  • Demonstrate food preparation foundations through applications of basic cooking methods in the areas of the hot kitchen, cold kitchen, and pastry.
  • Become familiar with regional and international cuisines through a learned appreciation of native products, flavors and techniques.
  • Understand key elements of successfully operating food service establishments by utilizing concepts of nutrition, safe and profitable menu and restaurant design, and further applying critical thinking through food costing, purchasing and receiving, and supervisory management concepts.

Math and writing placement are unique to each student and are determined during the admissions and intake advising process.  Additional math or writing courses may be required prior to taking the math or writing program requirements in this degree.

Program Guide

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
MTH81 Applied Mathematics for Culinary Arts 5 4
CRT100 Culinary Foundations I 5
CRT105 Culinary Foundation II 5
CRT110 Intro to Food and Beverage 3
CRT115 Sanitization & Safety for Managers 3
CRT120 Professional Presentations 1 3
 Credits23
Winter
CIS120 Concepts of Computing 4
CRT125 Baking & Pastry for Culinary Arts 5
CRT130 Menu Planning & Inventory Control 2
CRT135 Culinary Nutrition 2 3
CRT140 International Cuisine 5
 Credits19
Spring
WR115 Fundamentals of Report Writing 3 4
CRT145 Restaurant Management & Supervision 3
CRT150 American Cuisine 6
CRT155 Garde Manger 6
 Credits19
Second Year
Summer
CRT160 Craft of Beverage Service 3
CRT165 Restaurant Service 8
HE250 Personal Health 4 3
BA150 Introduction to Entrepreneurship 3
 Credits17
Fall
CRT280C1 Directed Practice: Culinary Arts 6
 Credits6
Winter
CRT280C1 Directed Practice: Culinary Arts 6
 Credits6
 Total Credits90
1

SP111 or COMM111Z, SP218 or COMM218Z, SP219 or COMM219 may be substituted for CRT120.

2

FN225 may be substituted for CRT135.

3

A higher writing may be substituted excluding WR241, WR242, WR243, and WR250.

4

PE231, HE250, or three (3) credits of PE185 sport/activity courses will satisfy this requirement.

5

MTH95 or higher, excluding MTH211, may substitute for MTH81.