It’s more than cooking. Learn the recipe for the $400 billion industry that revolves around food. Sounds delicious, right?
culinary arts program students at work in the kitchen
99%
Student Satisfaction
99% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.
100%
Employed
100% of our recent graduates got a job in the industry.
95%
Work Local
95% of our recent graduates work in Wisconsin.

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Culinary Arts
Program Number: 103161
Your Degree:
Associate Degree
Area of Study:
Culinary, Hospitality and Fitness
Delivery Method:
100% In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
63 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
transfer icon Program Transfers
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$12,540.86

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program Overview

    The Culinary Arts associate degree program at Madison College offers you the opportunity to learn an industry that produces $400 billion in annual sales in the United States. This program holds the key to landing positions as purchasing agents, general managers and executive chefs.

    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 Arts Careers

    Prospective employers throughout Madison consider Madison College Culinary Arts graduates top candidates. Associate degree graduates are ready for a range of professional positions in the field of culinary arts including:

    • Prep Cooks/Cooks
    • Line Cooks
    • Broiler Chefs or Garde Managers
    • Sous Chefs
    • Executive Chefs or Owner/Operators

    Take a Look Inside a Classroom

    Launch Baking and Culinary

    Culinary Art Video

    Paul Short - Madison College Culinary Arts
    iframe added here via JS.

    Learn how the Madison College Culinary Arts program prepares students for success from director Paul Short.

  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 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.

    Prior to Start of Program:
    10-316-101
    1 credit
    OR ServSafe Certification
    First Semester
    10-316-106
    2 credits
    10-316-108
    1 credit
    10-316-111
    4 credits
    10-316-115
    2 credits
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-316-121
    4 credits
    10-316-133
    2 credits
    10-316-139
    2 credits
    10-316-152
    1 credit
    10-804-123
    3 credits
    10-801-196
    3 credits
    Third (Summer) Term
    10-316-194
    2 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-316-120
    4 credits
    10-316-134
    3 credits
    10-316-132
    2 credits
    10-316-158
    1 credit
    10-101-106
    3 credits
    10-809-197
    3 credits
    Elective
    2 credits
    Fifth Semester
    10-109-125
    3 credits
    10-316-130
    4 credits
    10-316-135
    2 credits
    10-316-140
    1 credit
    10-809-199
    3 credits
    Elective
    1 credit
    Recommended Electives
    10-316-178
    2 credits
    10-316-189
    1 credit
    10-314-130
    1 credit
  • Admission

    To Apply

    Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
    International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.

    Application Dates

    Fall 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is August 15, 2024

    Admission Requirements

    All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.

    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
    Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:

    • High school  transcript (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
    • GED/HSED transcript
    • College transcript(s) 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

    All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.

    Additional Notes

    • Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
    • Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.

    After Acceptance

    Once you are admitted into your program, complete the Next Steps after Program Acceptance to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College.

    Questions?

    Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Culinary Arts career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Transfer Opportunities

    UW System Schools

    The terms of the Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete an associates of applied science degree and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis of the Leadership and Organizational Studies at UW O. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. The terms of the Human Services Leadership agreement are limited to students who have complete an associates of applied science degree and have been admitted to the Human Services Leadership degree at UW O. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

    Wisconsin Private Schools

    A student who completes an associate of arts, associate of science or associates of applied science is considered part of the ‘advanced core‘. The Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 64 credits of transfer. If students transfer prior to completion or with less than 64 credits they will be considered part of the standard core and credits will be evaluated on a course by course basis.
    Students will be granted admission to a bachelors degree program upon completion of an approved transfer program at Madison College. Students must have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater while at Madison College. Regardless of the number of credits transferred students must complete at least 25% of their baccalaureate degree credits at Herzing University University.
    Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.
    Any Madison College student who has successfully completed an associate degree in applied science after 2015, and meets admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Technical Sales at MSOE by successfully completing the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Business Administration program. --- In particular, any Madison College student who successfully completes all technical courses and general education courses in their AAS program with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; successfully completes all other specified courses, as defined in this transfer agreement, with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; and meets the MSOE admission requirements for transfer students into the BBA Program at MSOE, minimum 2.75/4.0 cumulative GPA from the last regionally accredited school will be admitted into the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Bachelor of Business Administration program at MSOE.

    Out-of-State Schools

    Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement. This applies to students who are pursuing a bachelors of arts, bachelors of science or bachelors of fine arts at Bellevue University.
    Per the agreement, students must complete the associates of arts, associates of science or associates of applied science with an overall GPA of a 2.0 prior to transferring. Articulation agreement is for students who graduate from appropriate program and wish to pursue one of the following degrees at Capella: Bachelor of Science in Business specializations, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Public Safety specializations, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (must hold a valid RN license) and Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
    Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global.
    Franklin University will guarantee acceptance of all Madison College graduates with an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science or Associate of Applied Science. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer additional credits (up to a maximum of 94) toward their baccalaureate degree.
  • Career Outcomes

    After completing the Culinary Arts program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:

    • Apply principles of safety and sanitation in food service operations.
    • Apply principles of nutrition.
    • Demonstrate culinary skills.
    • Manage food service operations.
    • Plan menus.
    • Analyze food service financial information.
    • Relate food service operations to sustainability.
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202020212022
      Number of Program Graduates15910
      Number of Surveys Sent15910
      Number of Surveys Returned747
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment727
      Percent Available for Employment100.00%50.00%100.00%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market0.00%50.00%0.00%
      Available for Employment

      202020212022
      Graduates Employed527
      Percent of Graduates Employed71.40%100.00%100.00%
      Employed in Related Occupation427
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation80.00%100.00%100.00%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation100
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation20.00%0.00%0.00%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Seeking Employment200
      Percent Seeking Employment28.60%0.00%0.00%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202020212022
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.63.53.3
      Number of Satisfaction Responses747
      Very Satisfied (4)422
      Percent Very Satisfied57.10%50.00%28.60%
      Satisfied (3)325
      Percent Satisfied42.90%50.00%71.40%
      Unsatisfied (2)000
      Percent Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)000
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202020212022
      Number of Primary Reason Responses747
      Preparation for Getting a Job231
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job28.60%75.00%14.30%
      Career Change300
      Percent Career Change42.90%0.00%0.00%
      Improvement of Existing Skills113
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills14.30%25.00%42.90%
      Preparation for Further Education100
      Percent Preparation for Further Education14.30%0.00%0.00%
      Personal Interest003
      Percent Personal Interest0.00%0.00%42.90%
      Other000
      Percent Other0.00%0.00%0.00%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202020212022
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses527
      Before Enrollment303
      Percent Before Enrollment60.00%0.00%42.90%
      While Attending the College002
      Percent While Attending the College0.00%0.00%28.60%
      After Training at the College222
      Percent After Training at the College40.00%100.00%28.60%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202020212022
      Number of Employment Location Responses517
      In College District417
      Percent In College District80.00%100.00%100.00%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District000
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Outside of Wisconsin100
      Percent Outside Wisconsin20.00%0.00%0.00%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202020212022
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count324
      Average Monthly Wage$2,515$3,250$3,114
      Average Hourly Wage$14.62$18.90$18.10
      Average Work Hours per Week42.752.549.2
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count12
      Average Hourly Wage$9.00$19.50
      Average Work Hours per Week2028.5
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      CentoRestaurant Worker
      CNT's CateringCatering ChefMiddleton
      Lone Girl Brewing CompanyKitchen ManagerWaunakee
      Madison Metropolitan School DistrictHead Cook
      Promega CorporationPrep CookFitchburg
      The Ready SetLine CookOregon

      * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.

      ** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.

      *** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

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