Adult Learners

Advance or Start Your Food Career Here

Food is Your Opportunity

Advance or Start Your Food Career Here

Whether you’re a food professional or have always dreamed of becoming one, you’re in the right place! Our student community is enriched by people just like you, from all walks of life, who want to transform their passion for food into career growth. That’s why ½ü¾àÀëÄÚÉäºÏ¼¯has degree or certificate options tailored to your experience and goals.

No matter which program you choose you will:

  • Broaden your professional expertise and make invaluable industry contacts.
  • Learn directly from CIA’s world-class faculty—renowned experts in food, hospitality, and academics.
  • Meet and interview with leading food and hospitality companies at amazing on-campus career fairs.
  • Engage in global networking opportunities as one of our more than 50,000+ successful alumni.
A two-tiered white wedding cake decorated with flowers and berries sits on a wooden stand outdoors. The cake has a textured design, and the table also holds a wine glass, floral arrangement, and small candles, with a blurred natural background.
Four hands with forks reaching for plates of vibrant, healthy food, including Brussels sprouts and roasted vegetables, on a wooden table laden with a variety of dishes such as cheese, fruit, and deviled eggs. This scene at a culinary school for adults suggests a convivial meal gathering.
A smiling chef with a bald head and tattoos on his arms stands with his arms crossed in a modern, industrial kitchen. He is wearing a white chef's jacket and a black apron. The kitchen, reminiscent of advanced culinary arts programs, features stainless steel appliances and countertops.

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, CIA’s School of Graduate Studies has a range of options for busy professionals. With our uniquely food-focused master’s programs, you’ll be prepared to create meaningful change in a range of industry sectors.

A pastry chef in a white uniform and hat uses a piping bag filled with chocolate to fill small molds on a baking tray. The workspace is a professional kitchen with equipment and utensils visible in the background.
Photo of ½ü¾àÀëÄÚÉäºÏ¼¯culinary college school scholarship recipient
A group of eleven diverse students smiling and hugging a large bee mascot dressed in a yellow and black costume with "CIA" on its chest. They are standing on an outdoor terrace with a river and green hills in the background.

At CIA, you’ll find all the ingredients you need to create a college experience that’s uniquely yours. Welcome to a campus community that shares your passion!

A woman in a white chef jacket takes a photo with her phone of two men, also in chef jackets, conversing with a man in a blue checkered jacket. The interaction appears to take place outdoors, possibly during one of the ½ü¾àÀëÄÚÉäºÏ¼¯Greystone Tours, in front of a building with stone walls and green foliage.

Application Process

Applying to CIA

  • Check out the enrollment dates for the program you’re interested in and apply for admission. ½ü¾àÀëÄÚÉäºÏ¼¯enrolls students three times a year, so you can start when it’s best for you.
  • File your FAFSA to determine your financial aid opportunities. This way, you’ll be reviewed for scholarships and financial aid immediately.

Benefits and Opportunities

Photo of ½ü¾àÀëÄÚÉäºÏ¼¯culinary college school scholarship recipient

½ü¾àÀëÄÚÉäºÏ¼¯offers generous scholarships—and awarded over $40 million last year alone.

A waiter, wearing a white shirt, black tie, and dark apron, is holding a plate and a small container while smiling at diners. Various people are seated at tables in the restaurant. A decorative rooster is displayed in the background on a shelf.

World-class paid internships at one of 2,000+ CIA-approved organizations.

A professional man in a suit shakes hands with a woman in a white chef's coat at an event. Another woman, also in a white chef's coat, stands nearby holding a photo book. People in similar attire are in the background, indicating a culinary event or gathering.

Nearly 475 food and hospitality companies visited ½ü¾àÀëÄÚÉäºÏ¼¯looking to hire in 2023—resulting in over 4,000 reported interviews with highly interested employers.

A woman dressed in a white chef's uniform takes a selfie with another woman in a navy blazer and red blouse. They are smiling and posing inside a brightly lit cafe. Some people are seen seated in the background.

The food world’s most powerful alumni network—50k+ strong—that not only hire ½ü¾àÀëÄÚÉäºÏ¼¯grads, but also help make the connections to advance careers.

A group of eleven diverse students smiling and hugging a large bee mascot dressed in a yellow and black costume with "CIA" on its chest. They are standing on an outdoor terrace with a river and green hills in the background.
Two chefs in white uniforms are sitting at a table, focused on paperwork. Both chefs are looking at documents in front of them, with one chef pointing at a specific page. They appear to be engaged in a discussion or review related to their work.
A chef in a white uniform and hat instructs a group of eight students, also in white uniforms and hats, in a commercial kitchen. The kitchen features several pots, pans, and stacks of plates. Stainless steel appliances and a tiled wall are visible in the background.
A chef wearing a white uniform is carefully plating food in a busy kitchen. Several dishes with various gourmet foods are on the counter, embodying the skills learned through ½ü¾àÀëÄÚÉäºÏ¼¯admissions. Other kitchen staff members are visible in the background, focusing on their tasks.

Don’t Take Our Word for It:

Here’s What ½ü¾àÀëÄÚÉäºÏ¼¯Students Have to Say

Chat with a Adult Student Ambassador

Chat With a Student

Are you curious about what it’s really like to attend CIA? We’ve got you covered. Our students are ready to answer the questions you haven’t asked anyone else, share their own personal experiences, and give you genuine advice—because they’ve gone through it, too.

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½ü¾àÀëÄÚÉäºÏ¼¯Campuses

Be part of a vibrant campus and close-knit community, where everyone speaks your language—food.

Discover all that ½ü¾àÀëÄÚÉäºÏ¼¯has to offer beyond the classroom with our full array of athletics, activities, student services, and delicious dining options. From open mic nights and interactive student groups to off-campus adventures and friendly campus cook-offs, we have countless ways to get involved and meet new people. Did we mention every dorm has a full-sized kitchen?

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