Culinary Therapeutics: Applied Culinary Arts in Health and Wellness
Introducing the master’s in Culinary Therapeutics from the Culinary Institute of America—the first of its kind master’s program that applies culinary arts to promoting health and wellness. Culinary therapeutics is an emerging field of study—with numerous career possibilities—as healthcare shifts toward preventive and personalized care. It combines culinary arts with evidence-based integrative healthcare, making it a promising and impactful field for those with culinary experience who are passionate about using food to promote healthy lifestyles.
Ready to get started? Apply now.
Quick Facts
Next Start Date: Fall 2025
Program Duration: Two years
Total Credits: 30
Program Overview
CIA’s master’s in Culinary Therapeutics integrates food science education, culinary skills, nutritional understanding, mindfulness, and applied culinary practices to prepare its graduates to make positive, real-world impacts on the health of individuals and communities. Taught by an interdisciplinary faculty, CIA offers an array of courses on nutritional science, food-based contributions to promoting wellness, therapeutic menu development, and food intervention strategies around health challenges, all of which educate students in the emerging field of culinary therapeutics.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Utilize their knowledge of nutritional science to critically evaluate dietary and metabolic recommendations from medical professionals and develop healthy and delicious foods and menus that optimize health and wellness.
- Apply motivational theories to inspire dietary behavioral changes associated with improved physical and mental wellbeing.
- Formulate food-based solutions to wellness issues raised by the larger healthcare system—using their programmatic knowledge, research, and culinary experience.
- Educate and mentor individuals through a variety of formats and technologies—discussions, culinary skills demonstrations, writing, and listening.
Note: This program does not lead to licensure in any profession nor allow students to do any activities that are restricted to licensed professions.
Ready to get started? Apply now.
Who Should Apply
CIA’s master’s in Culinary Therapeutics program is designed to educate health-supportive culinary professionals who can use culinary strategies to address health and wellness for individuals with chronic illness, aging adults, athletes in pursuit of peak performance, or those seeking to improve their health and wellness through lifestyle approaches. Any culinary professional looking to advance their career in the health and wellness arena can benefit, including:
- Performance food service providers—athletes, sports teams, competitive performers (e.g. dance professionals)
- Healthcare-based food service professionals—hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, senior living centers
- Nutritionists/dietitians with existing culinary background
- Private chefs
- Corporate R&D chefs
- Educational institution food professionals—K-12, colleges and universities
Curriculum Overview
The two-year, 30-credit Culinary Therapeutics master’s degree program includes:
- 27 credits in online courses covering subjects such as nutrition and optimal diet theory and application, health and wellness systems integration, therapeutic meal planning, as well as a capstone project developed with the help of faculty advisors and mentors.
- 3 credits consisting of three short residencies at CIA’s domestic campuses held before the start of the first semester, after the completion of the second semester, and as the final semester concludes.
Why Culinary Therapeutics is the Future?
- Growing Demand for Preventive Healthcare: Surging healthcare costs coupled with increased awareness about lifestyle-related diseases is driving more people to seek preventive health solutions. Culinary Therapeutics provides a proactive approach to using food to promote healthier living for personal wellness.
- Chronic Disease Epidemic: Given that many diseases and metabolic conditions are significantly impacted by dietary patterns, Culinary Therapeutics professionals can partner with medical professionals to help manage—even mitigate—these conditions.
- Integration with Holistic and Traditional Medicine: Culinary professionals are increasingly included in healthcare settings to work alongside doctors, dietitians, and other health professionals to address mind, body, and spirit.
- Demand for Health and Wellness: As people become more aware of how food affects their well-being, demand for food professionals trained in Culinary Therapeutics will increase. This will open up new opportunities in wellness centers, resorts and spas, healthcare facilities, and food service organizations.
Learn In-person with Residencies
The asynchronous online learning format of the Culinary Therapeutics master’s degree program is supported by three in-person residencies.
Your cohort will gather for hands-on learning and immersive experiences in the Hudson Valley and the Napa Valley including:
- Hands on kitchen work with culinary skills verification
- Taste, palate, and sensory development
- Visits and learning opportunities in healthcare settings and wellness centers
CIA Advantage
The Culinary Institute of America has been educating successful food, beverage, and hospitality industry professionals for decades, helping to launch and advance thousands of careers. As a graduate of CIA, you’ll have lifelong access to career resources—including job listings, and Career Fair and networking events. Additionally, you’ll instantly become a member of a 50,000-strong influential professional network of CIA alumni, paving the way for unparalleled career opportunity. Your network will consist of CIA grads who are shaping today’s food industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Associate degree in culinary arts or related discipline
- Culinary certificate of at least two semesters or the equivalent
- Two years of back-of-house experience in a foodservice environment, or the equivalent
Contact our Graduate Admissions Team
Robert Tremblay ’10
Associate Director—Graduate Admissions