Why Go to Culinary School at NCC?
Channel your passion for cooking and baking into a rewarding career by enrolling at Northampton Community College (NCC) to earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Specialized Diploma in Culinary Arts. Cook alongside experienced chefs, learn how to maneuver working in a professional kitchen, and gain practical expertise in restaurant operations.
We designed our Culinary Arts Program to be career-oriented, focusing on practical experience and skill-building. In this program, offered at our Bethlehem campus, you can earn an associate degree or specialized diploma in two years or less—half the time it takes to study at a traditional, four-year university.
NCC’s culinary program delivers an immersive educational experience. Graduate career-ready and prepared to embark on a new professional journey as a chef, baker, or restauranteur, or in other exciting food service industry roles.
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Customize Your Culinary Education
Whatever your professional goals, NCC has career training for you. Our Culinary Arts Program offers three distinct degree and diploma tracks:- Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Culinary Arts
- Specialized Diploma in Culinary Arts
- Specialized Diploma in Culinary Arts: Entrepreneurship
Whichever degree or diploma you choose, you’ll receive exceptional culinary training, advanced skills, and industry expertise—all of which will fuel your future work in restaurants and kitchens.
Sharpen Your Skills With Almost 1,000 Hours of Hands-On Training
At NCC, we believe that experience is the best teacher. While pursuing an associate degree or diploma in culinary arts, you’ll learn in classrooms and commercial kitchens, blending theory and practice. Apply your skills through experiential learning opportunities like menu planning and execution, working in a restaurant’s front- and back-of-house, preparing cuisines from around the world, and much more. While the number of hands-on training hours may vary depending on your program track, all culinary arts students have the opportunity to learn outside the classroom.
What You’ll Learn in Our Culinary Arts Program
NCC is proud to be one of Pennsylvania’s leading community colleges with an immersive culinary school. Here, you embark on a career-oriented education that merges classroom learning with practical application, equipping you for a successful professional future.
Our culinary school helps you fine-tune your cooking and baking techniques in our state-of-the-art commercial kitchen and NCC’s public restaurant, Hampton Winds. You also practice tableside cooking, plate presentation, and preparing global cuisines. In our Chef-in-Residence program, you can study under top-tier chefs from around the world while making industry connections.
Along with the skill-based training, our culinary arts program offers a strong foundational base in practical matters, such as health and safety and restaurant operations and management. This industry knowledge supports your technical competencies, ensuring you emerge as a well-rounded and competitive culinary professional.
Program Details
Semesters: 5
Credits: 71
College Catalog: View Curriculum
Program Map: Download PDF
Locations: BethlehemProgram Overview:
NCC’s associate degree program delivers a holistic approach to education. Learn the classical methods of preparing food and menu planning, as well as the basics of working in all types of kitchens. Then, put that culinary theory into practice with nearly 1,000 hours of hands-on experience cooking in labs and on campus and participating in a career-boosting internship. Once you’ve mastered your culinary training, you’ll explore related topics, such as hospitality financial reporting, the principles of restaurant operations and customer service, information technology, and more. Gain a diverse and in-demand skill set by earning an AAS in Culinary Arts at NCC.
Semesters: 3
Credits: 47
College Catalog: View Curriculum
Program Map: Download PDF
Locations: BethlehemProgram Overview:
Launch your career in the restaurant industry with a new understanding and appreciation of the art of cooking. With our emphasis on experiential learning, you receive a practical education that equips you with strong skills in food preparation and restaurant operations. Earn a specialized diploma in just three semesters and stand out as a versatile and gifted chef. Additionally, if you have completed the specialized diploma but want to advance your education, you can transfer your credits toward the associate degree at NCC.
Semesters: 4
Credits: 37
College Catalog: View Curriculum
Program Map: Download PDF
Locations: BethlehemProgram Overview:
Blend your passion for culinary arts and business by pursuing a specialized diploma in Culinary Arts: Entrepreneurship. In this track, you’ll develop a professional culinary skill set while also exploring business fundamentals within the hospitality industry and cultivating an entrepreneurial spirit. This one-of-a-kind culinary arts program gives you the tools you need to start and grow your own small business. Whether you want to operate your own catering business, run a mobile food truck, or become a social media chef or food blogger, NCC’s specialized diploma provides you with the essential training to become a culinary arts entrepreneur.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Invest in yourself and your future at NCC. We proudly offer one of Pennsylvania’s most affordable community college culinary programs, with low tuition and fees and robust scholarship and financial aid opportunities. By making quality education more accessible, we strive to enrich your life and support our local community and workforce.
