Online Pastry Arts Degree Program Information

Online pastry arts programs are scarce, though some do exist in the form of an online Bachelor of Science program that requires a related associate's degree. This program primarily focuses on managing a pastry establishment; distance learning students learn about food service management, hospitality marketing and nutrition.

Online Bachelor's Degree in Pastry Arts Program Overview

Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Pastry Arts can do so online, though the prevalence of such programs is scarce. The majority of pastry arts-related programs are conducted on campus due to the high level of hands-on learning. Similar online programs exist in such fields as culinary arts, baking arts and food service management.
Generally, students entering an online bachelor's degree program in pastry arts are required to have already completed an associate's degree in pastry arts. The online bachelor's degree programs may focus more on the managerial, marketing and legal aspects of the pastry arts world, as opposed to the actual creation of pastries. Associate's degree programs in pastry arts are not commonly available online due to the large amount of lab work and hands-on training necessary.

Program Information and Requirements

The B.S. in Pastry Arts can usually be completed in four years, though two of those years may be covered by courses in the associate's degree program. The coursework in a bachelor's degree program in pastry arts can be completed entirely online, though some courses may require a short campus residency. Courses are usually conducted through an online learning platform, such as ulearn. Courses are asynchronous, which means that course materials can be accessed and worked on at any time as long as certain deadlines are met. Students contact and interact with instructors and peers through emails and discussion boards.

Common Online Pastry Arts Courses

An online Bachelor of Science in Pastry Arts degree program includes major courses, classes in related professional studies and general studies courses. Students must also have their writing skills validated or enroll in certain English classes in order to receive the B.S.

Food and Beverage Service Management Course

This online course examines the role that the food service industry plays within the larger field of hospitality. Students acquire skills involving human resources management, product selection, costing and pricing, menu development and accounting. Students also learn to create a successful business plan and identify a target market based on current trends.

Hospitality Marketing Course

Precise strategies for creating marketing strategies for a hospitality-related enterprise are identified in this distance learning class. Students learn to structure and budget for a marketing plan using various forms of media advertising. Topical marketing issues related to the hospitality industry are also covered using case studies.

Nutrition Course

The process of extracting metabolic energy from food compounds such as proteins, fats and carbs is studied in great detail in this class. An emphasis is placed on methods for balancing nutrients and the problems resulting from being deficient in certain nutrients. Vitamins and minerals are also examined, as well as how too much of certain vitamins and minerals can be harmful.

Career Information

Graduates of a Bachelor of Science in Pastry Arts program can find employment as a manager of a restaurant or bakery, food preparation and serving supervisor, chef, head cook or baker. Many restaurant or bakery managers are also the owner of the establishment.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in May of 2009, there were 94,300 people employed as chefs or head cooks with a mean annual salary of $44,240; an additional 140,510 people were employed as bakers and earned a mean annual salary of $25,350 (www.bls.gov). There were also 791,750 people employed as food preparation and serving supervisors earning mean annual salary of $31,460. The BLS also reports that job growth for all of the above occupations is expected to be slower than average with a zero percent increase for chefs, head cooks and bakers and a seven percent increase for food preparation and serving supervisors from 2008-2018.