Baking and Pastry Arts A.A.S. - Career Degree

Ignite your creativity in baking and pastry arts

Advance your career in the pastry world with an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in baking and pastry arts. Showcase the expertise you develop in the Garde Manger reception at the end of each semester.

In our lab classes, you learn the basics of baking. In advanced pastry classes, you'll create, design, implement and serve your pastries with show-stopping presentations.

Your coursework covers:

professionalism and teamwork
baking techniques and procedures
functions of ingredients
reading recipes and creating menus
knife skills

What can you do with a degree in Baking and Pastry Arts?

Many of our graduates have become supervisors and managers within a short time after graduation. Your A.A.S. degree widens your skill set and prepares you for higher-level roles in the industry.

You can progress to work as an owner or in corporate locations. Depending on your current work experience, you may begin at a lead, supervisor or manager level.

Start right away with your certificate in roles such as:

baker
pastry cook
assistant bakery manager

With additional education or experience, you can become:

assistant pastry chef
pastry chef
bakery manager

Highlights

Career Degree

Earn an associate degree in 2 years and gain in-demand technical and job-ready skills.
Program Length: 2 Years

Full-time students finish in 2 years.
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college.

Career Outlook

Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $27,318
  
  Median
  
  $33,308
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $48,067
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $13.13
  
  Median
  
  $16.01
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $23.10
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  82.47%
  
  Certificate
  
  8.06%
  
  Some college
  
  9.47%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $33,924
  
  Median
  
  $58,557
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $112,357
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $16.31
  
  Median
  
  $28.14
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $54.01
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  13.8%
  
  Certificate
  
  17.24%
  
  Some college
  
  3.45%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  51.72%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  13.79%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

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Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) is your "go-to person" ready to help you get started at CLC.

Your CCN guides you through the admission process, helps you choose your academic program, enroll in classes and connect you with resources.

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Recommended Pathway

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. View degree requirements in the college catalog.

View program in catalog

Hospitality and Culinary Management at CLC

Get the bigger picture

This degree is just one possible way to study hospitality and culinary management. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.

View the Hospitality and Culinary Management program overview

Frequently asked questions

Yes! Prairie at Brae Loch is a CLC student-managed restaurant relocating to Brae Loch Golf Club thanks to a recent 20-year agreement between CLC and the Lake County Forest Preserves. At Prairie at Brae Loch, you can practice all facets of running a restaurant in newly renovated, top-of-the-line kitchens.
Once Prairie at Brae Loch reopens in Fall 2023, this agreement also provides upscale dining at affordable prices to the local community at the golf course snack shop during golf season May 1 through Oct. 31.
You should understand a few basics, but the certificate has coursework designed to give you skills in baking and pastry making. In the lab classes, you create baked goods and pastries, learn to present products and master time management and organization.
Your instructor teaches recipes and procedures to help you develop in-demand skills through:
- lectures
- group and individual projects
- guest speakers
- field trips
- in-person discussions
- hands-on labs
The A.A.S. in baking and pastry arts is 67–69 credit hours and takes an average of two years to complete full-time. Your coursework includes the ServSafe: Food Service Sanitation course that covers safe food preparation and service. The ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification Examination is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and re-certification is every 5 years.
Your classes include:
- Patisserie I and II
- Marketing and Management
- Special Diets and Healthful Baking
- Chocolates and Confections
With a C or better, you can earn National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) ManageFirst Certificates in:
- Hospitality Supervision
- Purchasing and Inventory Control
- Menu Marketing and Management
- Controlling Hospitality Costs

*Cost includes tuition and other fees, including books and materials before financial aid is applied, such as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

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Baking and Pastry Arts

Ignite your creativity in baking and pastry arts

What can you do with a degree in Baking and Pastry Arts?

Highlights

Career Degree

Program Length: 2 Years

Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Career Outlook

Bakers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Chefs and Head Cooks