CIA MASTER’S IN CULINARY ARTS

culinary arts masters students in kitchen

Lead the Next Generation of Gastronomy

What will the future of gastronomy look like? How do we assure that the inspired dining experiences of the future continue to be even more innovative, imaginative, and sustainable? What are the emerging trends in consumer preferences, technological advancements, and global economic shifts that create new challenges—and new opportunities—for the restaurant industry? If these questions excite and inspire you, CIA’s School of Graduate Studies wants you for its newest graduate program—Master of Professional Studies in Culinary Arts.

This first-of-its kind master’s program—the pinnacle of culinary education—will prepare the next generation of talent to set a new standard in inspired dining and culinary excellence. Full tuition from the Dom Pérignon Culinary Scholarship is granted to all admitted students.

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Quick Facts

Next Start Date: Fall 2025

Application Deadline: May 1, 2025

Program Duration: Two years

Total Credits: 36

Tuition: Accepted students receive full-tuition Dom Pérignon Culinary Scholarship

Who Should Apply

This program is designed for high-potential candidates who already have a demonstrated record of accomplishment in a professional culinary setting and who want to take their passion, creativity, commitment, and vision for the future of fine dining to a new level.

Requirements for the program:

Graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree. If a candidate has formal culinary training, we would recommend at least six months of experience in fine-dining or high level establishments. If a candidate has a bachelor’s degree without formal culinary training, we would recommend at least two years of experience in fine-dining or high level establishments.
Eligible to work in the United States (for at least two years).
Must be a United States citizen or permanent resident.
Must be able to relocate to one of the paid internship locations in Northern California. Additional paid internship locations in other regions to be announced.

Students chosen for this highly-selective program will be granted a full-tuition Dom Pérignon Culinary Scholarship.

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If you are interested in pursuing a master’s degree but this program may not be a fit, check out our other master’s programs.

Overview

This master-level program in the culinary arts takes a deep dive into what it takes to run great restaurants, providing unprecedented access and extraordinary enrichment opportunities for a transformative learning experience.

Understand the history and culture of cuisines and restaurants to create a new future.
Examine the aesthetic and commercial relationship between wines and food as well as the financial and operations side of beverage management.
Delve into the advances of sustainable agriculture and food systems innovation to create new culinary strategies.
Master brand building strategies as well as critical business fundamentals such as real estate and partnership strategies.
Learn to inspire with vision and lead with impact.
Hands-on program integrates online academic classes with experiential learning.
- Paid internship at Michelin-starred restaurants such as The French Laundry, SingleThread, and The Inn at Little Washington. You’ll get unprecedented access to learning about the whole operation—Marketing, HR, Finance, and more—in addition to hands-on culinary experience. (Additional paid internship locations in other regions to be announced.)
- Opportunities to stage at Michelin-starred restaurants including N/Naka, Bell’s, and Californios.

Curriculum Overview

The two-year, 36 credit master’s in Culinary Arts program includes:

24 online credits mastering the fundamentals of professional excellence in cooking, culinary history, agriculture, responsible product sourcing, and sustainability; the relationship between wine and food, and entrepreneurship and business leadership.
6 credits of paid internship in Michelin-starred restaurants The French Laundry, SingleThread, and The Inn at Little Washington.
3 credits of immersive residencies at CIA’s Hyde Park, NY campus and at Dom Pérignon in Champagne, France.
3 online credits capstone project on a topic chosen by candidate.

See catalog for curriculum and course details.

Curriculum chart for the CIA master’s degree in Culinary Arts.

Download the full curriculum chart (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are requirements for admission?

You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution or hold an international equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. If your first language is not English, you must complete an English proficiency examination. At this time, because of the internship requirement, we are only able to admit United States citizen and permanent residents.

Do I need to take the GMAT or GRE for admission?

No—CIA does not require GMAT or GRE submittals for master’s degree program applicants.

Will I need to move to a CIA campus location to complete my studies?

No—you must be prepared to relocate to the site of your internship for the duration of the program. Current locations include Michelin-starred The French Laundry, SingleThread, and The Inn at Little Washington, where you’ll gain hands-on experience to complement your online classes.

Is it possible to work a full-time job while enrolled in the master’s in Culinary Arts program?

No—this program requires a full-time commitment to a paid internship. If you’re interested in a master’s program that allows you to continue your current employment, please consider our online options in Food Business, Sustainable Food Systems, or Wine and Beverage Management.

Do I need to be a chef or a food industry veteran to be considered for admission?

Prior culinary training and experience is required for this program. If you have formal culinary training as part of your undergraduate degree, we recommend at least six months of experience in fine-dining or high-level establishments. If your undergraduate studies did not include culinary training, we recommend at least two years of fine-dining or high-level experience.

If you’re looking to build your professional kitchen experience, consider CIA’s Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate Program.