Search | Menu Gain the skills and experience you need to start your career in the food service industry.
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Program Overview
With the Culinary Fundamentals certificate, you will develop the foundational skills necessary to pursue a career in the food-service industry.
Learn basic food theory and preparation, safety and sanitation, knife skills, and production baking basics.
All of the credits you earn in this certificate can be applied towards earning your Culinary Production Specialist technical diploma or Culinary Arts associate degree. In fact, if you apply to the associate degree program, you'll automatically earn this certificate and Culinary Production Specialist technical diploma as you complete the required courses.
No matter which culinary program you choose, you'll be learning and using state-of-the-art facilities and equipment with the help of real-world smart instructors and staff.
Program Details
Students in the Culinary program can attend full or part-time.
Culinary Arts degree classes are offered at the Madison College Truax campus.
Culinary Fundamentals Careers
After completing the Culinary Fundamentals program, you will have the skills you need to start your career in various commercial kitchens such as restaurants, bakeries, hotels or care facilities.
- Prep Cook, Cook, or Line Cook
- Caterer
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2026-2027 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.
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How to Apply
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
If you are an international student and want to apply to Madison College, or transfer your F-1 student visa here, check program availability and then complete the International Admission Process.
Apply Now - Limited Seats Available!
This certificate has limited capacity and may reach maximum enrollment quickly. Applying to the Pre-Culinary Fundamentals certificate early gives you the best chance of securing a spot.
To enroll in certificate courses, students must first meet academic preparedness requirements and complete the declaration process.
- Program capacity: 48 spots every Fall. It shares this capacity with other programs that have a similar curriculum.
- Estimated Wait Time: No estimated wait time between when students are core ready and when they become eligible to enroll in certificate classes. This timeline may vary depending on how many students complete the declaration process each semester.
Submitting your application now ensures you're considered as soon as space becomes available. If the certificate reaches capacity, a waiting list will be used to manage additional qualified applicants.
Before applying, be sure to:
- Review the admission requirements for deadlines, materials, and requirements
- Review the After You Apply section on this page
Application Dates
Fall 2027
- Application available on October 15, 2026
- Application completion deadline is August 15, 2027
Admission Requirements
1. Admission Application
The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.
2. Education Completion
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
- High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED completion
- College transcript or Madison College experience showing:
- Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
- At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
- The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
- Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum
- Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
Additional Notes
Students are required to meet the current admission requirements, academic preparedness requirements, and complete the declaration process. Requirements are subject to change based on updates to accreditation requirements or Madison College program assessment data.
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Culinary Fundamentals career.
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After You Apply
Academic Preparedness Requirements
This certificate has academic preparedness requirements that must be completed before beginning core classes. Requirements for this certificate are listed below and are subject to change. Run a personalized report in your student account to confirm which requirements are complete, which are still outstanding, and how requirements may be satisfied.
When you’ve completed all academic preparedness requirements, you will submit the declaration form to confirm that you are ready to enter core certificate classes. These steps are part of the declaration process.
Student Report
- Pre-core students admitted prior to Fall 2027: Run your Degree Progress Report in your Student Center in PeopleSoft.
- Pre-core students admitted for Fall 2027 and later: Academic preparedness requirements will be available in your Academic Progress Report in Workday. Access will be available beginning March 2027.
Course Requirement
Complete and pass Principles of Sanitation, an orientation course covering food service sanitation principles and the role of food service personnel in the prevention of contamination and food-borne illness. Space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Students who already have ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification may be eligible to earn credit for prior learning.
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
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Career Outcomes
After completing the Culinary Fundamentals program at Madison College, you will be able to:
- Apply principles of safety and sanitation in food service operations;
- Demonstrate basic culinary skills;
- Assist in food service management.
