Culinary Arts Admissions

125 South Gilpin Street
Punxsutawney, PA 15767

814-938-8400

culinary-arts@iup.edu

icon of chef's hat with question mark

Request Info about the Culinary Academy

The IUP Academy of Culinary Arts is recognized nationwide for its high quality.

orange arrow button
icon of chef's hat with map marker

Visit the Culinary Academy

Meet our faculty, talk to our students, and tour our kitchens.

orange arrow button
icon of chef's hat with apply icon

Apply to the Culinary Academy

Learn what it takes to become a culinary student at IUP.

orange arrow button
a chef instructs a student in a kitchen

Expert Chef Instructors

Our expert chef instructors have worked in some of the top kitchens in America. They’ve owned businesses, worked in the finest clubs and restaurants, and medaled in baking and pastry competitions. They’ve built prestigious careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry. 

Now it’s your turn. You’ll work side-by-side with them in the kitchen and learn from them in the classroom. They’ll train you to tackle the challenges and prepare you to take the opportunities that lead to success as a professional in the food industry. 

Meet Our Chefs orange arrow button
Learn More about the Culinary Academy orange arrow button
a white cutting board with two hands cutting green beans with a chef's knife

Hands-On Learning

Our chef instructors get to know the students on a personal level. They dig for the talent and make sure it gets the attention it needs to thrive. 

They will work side-by-side with you in the kitchen, training you for success as a food industry professional. With their one-on-one mentorship, you’ll learn the skills you'll need throughout your career—and you'll refine them through practice to the point they're part of your makeup. 

Information for Current Students orange arrow button
a hand using a cloth to flip flaming food in a hot frying pan over a gas stove

Paid Externships

Your culinary education includes a paid externship. We consistently have 100% placement for students in paid externships, and more than 80% of our students are offered externship positions in four and five-star and diamond properties such as:  

  • The American Club, Kohler, WI
  • The Biltmore, Asheville, NC
  • The Breakers, Palm Beach, FL
  • The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs
  • The Duquesne Club, Pittsburgh
  • Horseshoe Bay Resort, TX
  • Hilton New Orleans Riverside
  • Kiawah Island Golf Resort, SC
  • and many more
a collage of three chefs smiling to the camera

Career Outcomes

Your career options as an Culinary Academy graduate are limitless. Many of the country’s best resorts and restaurants know the caliber of chef we produce. Four out of five IUP students receive offers of permanent employment from their externship site. 

Perhaps best of all, you’ll join a workforce that’s loaded with fellow IUP culinary graduates. They’ll know the passion, talent, and work ethic you have—because they used the same formula during their time with us. 

Programs of Study

Full Program Descriptions
a chef uses a cloth to flip flaming food in a hot frying pan over a stove

Certificate in Culinary Arts

Study culinary theory and technical methods while learning about new foods, flavors, and cuisines. You will also sharpen your business skills with computer and management courses.
a chef uses a cookie cutter to cut circles in rolled out dough

Certificate in Baking and Pastry

Learn to create delicious, delectable pastries and cakes, magnificent showpieces, and the finest chocolates, while working side-by-side with experienced, certified executive pastry chefs.

a culinary student in a chef's outfit and apron looking to the right of the image

Associate’s Degrees

Gain a competitive edge on the job market. With one additional semester of study, you can earn an associate’s degree in Culinary Arts or Baking and Pastry Arts.

a teacher at the front of a room holding up a food chart to a group of three people

Bachelor’s Degree Transitions

Apply Culinary Academy credits toward a four-year degree in Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism and Event Management; Nutrition; or Family and Consumer Science Education.
a close up shot of a calculator, pen, and paper on a table

Costs to Study at the Culinary Academy

At the IUP Academy of Culinary Arts, you'll receive a world-class culinary education at an affordable cost. 

Instructional costs for the Academy of Culinary Arts are $7,848 per semester and total cost per semester is $9,310.50, with no charge for the externship semester. 

Learn more about tuition costs as well as fees and housing costs for IUP culinary students. 

Culinary Costs orange arrow button
female culinary presenting a dish

Apply to the Culinary Academy

Learn what it takes to become a culinary student at IUP.

Visit Options
How to Apply
male culinary student listening to the check during an instruction
a close up shot of a calculator, pen, and paper on a table

Next Steps after Culinary Arts Admission

Congratulations on your acceptance to IUP! Once you have decided to attend IUP for Culinary Arts or Baking and Pastry, take these steps before you come to campus:

a close up shot of a calculator, pen, and paper on a table

Housing at the Culinary Academy

You'll find that living in our community makes it easy to participate in activities and university functions, access university resources, gain leadership experience, and make connections that will last a lifetime.

a close up shot of a calculator, pen, and paper on a table

Information for Teachers and Counselors

Learn basic facts about IUP's Academy of Culinary Arts for more in-depth conversations with students about their career options.

Contact Culinary Arts Admissions

Call or email us with your questions! Schedule an appointment with your counselor. This is a great opportunity to get personalized attention and answers to all of your admissions questions.

Kala Vargo

Culinary Admissions Counselor
kvargo@iup.edu
Office: 814-938-8400
Cell: 724-541-9998

Mysti Dinger

Assistant Director, Student Support Services/Navigator
mysti@iup.edu
Office: 814-939-3336
Cell: 724-599-5658