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Located just north of Seattle, the Edmonds College Baking and Pastry Arts program
prepares you for a career in the baking industry.
You can earn a Baking Certificate in one year or an Associate of Technical Arts Baking
Degree in two years. You will learn important foundational skills, such as entremet,
specialty cakes, plated desserts, tarts, petits fours, artisan breads, and viennoiserie.
If you pursue your two-year degree, you will also develop bakery management skills
and learn how to make chocolates, confectioneries, wedding cakes, and edible showpieces.
Graduates of our certificate will be qualified for entry-level positions in the baking
and pastry arts industry. They may become cake decorators, bread bakers, bakery retail
associates, and pastry cooks. Graduates of our associate degree programs will be prepared
to go on to managerial roles.
Why Choose Baking at Edmonds?
You'll gain practical, real-world experience at the student-run Pastry Corner, a retail
outlet located inside the College Cafe.
Classes are small, which means our chef-instructors provide personalized instruction
and can help you explore a pastry specialization.
You'll be exposed to a broad range of pastry specialties, including breads, artistic
cakes, and boutique mini pastries.
Programs
Compare the costs and lengths of our culinary arts degrees and certificates.
This transfer degree is for students who want to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science
in Information Technology and Administrative Management at Central Washington University.
Students who wish to follow this path should meet with a CWU advisor to review admission
requirements. Students who earn this degree will learn how to manage people, projects,
and information in addition to the ATA degree outcomes. Graduates will have the skills
to manage or own their own bakery business.
*Average costs include tuition based on WA state resident full-time enrollment. It
does not include fees. The costs may vary. Learn more about Tuition & Fees.
This non-transfer degree is for students who want to learn advanced baking methods
and develop their baking artistry. This degree is a good choice for students who want
to work in the wedding cake business, at an upscale hotel or bakery, or in a management/ownership
position at some point in their baking career.
*Average costs include tuition based on WA state resident full-time enrollment. It
does not include fees. The costs may vary. Learn more about Tuition & Fees.
This certificate is for students who want a thorough, broad-based education in baking
and pastry arts with an emphasis on foundational methods and practices. Most graduates
are eligible for an entry-level position in a bakery production setting (like a grocery
store) or small bakery.
*Average costs include tuition based on WA state resident full-time enrollment. It
does not include fees. The costs may vary. Learn more about Tuition & Fees.
Career Opportunities
Our baking certificate prepares students for the following positions:
Baker
Bakery Retail Associate
Bread Baker
Cake Decorator
Caterer
Pastry Cook
Our associate degrees prepare students for the positions listed above as well as the following:
Bakery Manager
Bakery Owner
Cottage Bakery Owner
Pastry Chef
Personal or Private Pastry Chef
Frequently Asked Questions
No, most students have not worked in the industry before.
Yes, many students hold a job simultaneously while attending the program.
No, but many bakery managers and pastry chefs prefer it and look for this qualification
when hiring staff.
We accept new students during the fall, winter, and spring quarters.
Lab-based (kitchen) classes are 8:30 a.m.-2:15 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Classroom-based classes range from 50 to 90 minutes and are a mix of in-person and
online. Often, these classes can be taken in the evenings or off-hours, which benefits
working students.
Most lecture classes are online, but our labs are in person and attendance is required
from 8:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
New students have these approximate start-up costs:
Toolkit: $316
Textbook: $150
Uniform: $275
Washington State Food Worker Card: $10
You can purchase the toolkit directly from the bookstore or assemble it yourself from
the list provided in your advising session.
Because baking schools are so different from one another, we generally do not transfer
credits from another school into our program.
Yes — that will allow you to get the most out of your program.
We do not have a formal employment placement program, but our instructors are well-informed
about job openings in the industry and share information with students. The college's
Career Action Center can also help you prepare for your career after graduation.
Get Started Today
The first step is to sign up for an advising session. Your advisor will provide an
overview of our baking and pastry arts programs, explain equipment and uniform requirements,
answer any questions you have, and help you decide which program is right for you.
Considering enrolling at Edmonds?
Your Edmonds College advisor will work with you to choose the right path for your future career, help you register
for classes, answer questions about paying for college, and more.
