Why Study Hospitality and Culinary Arts?
The Hospitality and Culinary Arts program offers preparation in the fields of culinary arts, restaurant management, hotel management, and travel and tourism. Students can choose the Hospitality track or Culinary Arts track. The Hospitality track provides students with a broad base of core course work to provide the knowledge needed for a career in the hospitality and tourism industry. For students in the Culinary track, we offer hands-on courses in our state-of-the-art kitchen lab, which features restaurant-quality equipment. Upon completing the program, students are prepared for positions in restaurants, fast food establishments, catering facilities, institutional food service companies, hotels, cruise lines, gaming establishments and other related areas. If a student decides to continue their education at the baccalaureate level, we have many articulations with other institutions that accept credits previously earned at RCC.
The Hospitality and Culinary Arts Center is located in the iconic, Hudson River town of Nyack, NY. The Center offers credited degree and non-credited programming to students, community and tourists. Additionally, the Center strives to strengthen the local and national foothold of artisanal foods, craft beverages and agro-tourism originating from the Mid-Hudson Valley region, and to support community initiatives for Rockland County residents and our nearby friends.
School of Business and Professional Studies
Degree Tracks & Course Sequence
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS): Hospitality and Culinary Arts
- Hospitality Track
- Culinary Arts Track
- Certificate: Culinary Arts
Microcredentials
Real World Ready
Listening to workforce needs
Graduates of Rockland Community College are provided with a clear path to meaningful careers that meet the needs of businesses and industry in the communities we serve. Our students are trained in specific skills that are needed by employers, and guided through a career path that leads directly to workforce opportunities. With affordable tuition, students who begin their college careers at RCC are ready to meet the demands of the real world.
Free Career Exploration Assessment [ACCESS CODE: pathways]
Student Success
At Rockland Community College, you are provided with a Student Success Team that will help you with your academic journey, career exploration, transfer planning, support service referrals, and more! Your Team includes your Dean, Program Director, Faculty Advisor, Student Success Advisor, Connection Center Counselor, Financial Aid Advisor, Peer Mentors, and if you’re involved in any of these special programs, your Athletics, Honors, TRiO, and Veterans Advisors. During your first semester, you will take an ‘Introduction to the School’ course that will outline the various College offices and departments that can help you on your path.
Career Outlook
Upon completing an AAS in Hospitality and Culinary Arts, graduates will be prepared for entry-level positions in restaurants, catering companies, hotels, event planning, and institutional food service settings. For those currently employed in the industry and seeking advancement, an AAS degree can help develop skills and further advance your career.
Internships
Internships, with paid and non-paid offerings, are required for all students. Internships give students the opportunities to gain valuable, real world ready skills in a variety of hospitality settings, that nurture their interest and allow them to gain in-depth knowledge.
Job Roles
Front Desk Associate, Cruise Ship Attendant, Front-of-House Manager, Hotel Clerk, Special Events Manager, Catering Sales Manager, Café Manager, Lead Cook, Pastry Chef, Private Chef, Line Cook, Kitchen Supervisor, Sous Chef, Catering Chef, Food Truck Operator, and Store Manager
Industries
Lodging, Travel, Tourism, Arts & Culture, Food and Beverage, Recreation, Entertainment, Restaurants, Cafes, Catering, and Healthcare
Careers
Chefs and Head Cooks
Lodging Managers
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner
Employment and wage data by occupation are based on the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey, which collects information from approximately 51,000 businesses. bls.gov
Alumni Spotlight
Get Started Today
Rockland Community College, State University of New York, offers a safe, supportive learning environment for thousands of students from diverse backgrounds. RCC has become the “first choice” for parents and students. Thanks to our affordable tuition, students can save $100,000 on a college education by starting at RCC and transferring to outstanding four-year colleges.