You can choose from a variety of nationally recognized programs, taught by instructors with extensive industry experience. You’ll have the opportunity to intern or study abroad. At AACC, you’ll receive a quality education at a fraction of the price of other programs. And you’ll be well on your way to transfer to a four-year program or to start building your career right now. Our Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism Institute has dual locations in Glen Burnie and Arnold, so it’s never been more convenient to invest in your future.
AACC offers the following Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees. The state of Maryland refers to the A.A.S. as a career degree, because it's intended to provide you with skills to enter the workforce. In some cases, AACC has entered into transfer agreements that allow these degrees to transfer to select colleges. A list of active agreements may be found on this website. You can also learn more about transferring from AACC to continue your education.
You’ll get out of the classroom and into the kitchen as you learn to make a variety of delicious breads, cakes, pastries, torts and gateaus. If you choose, you’ll even train in advanced specialty items, including candies, nut brittles, nougats, pralines, marzipans, chocolate and a variety of confections. Accredited by the American Culinary Federation, this degree will prepare you for positions as a baker, cook, pastry cook or manager in training in the hospitality industry.
You’ll learn everything from foundational cooking techniques to baking trade secrets to an overview of world cuisine. You’ll also acquire practical skills in operations management and purchasing and cost control. Accredited by the American Culinary Federation, this degree will prepare you for positions as a baker, cook, pastry cook or manager in training in the hospitality industry.
The Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism Institute (HCAT) offers three degree concentrations and five credit certificates for students to choose from (including those in our Hospitality Management program). After successful completion of a series of credit courses, a credit certificate is awarded, and that certificate represents a specific set of marketable skills. All degree-seeking students earn multiple certificates along with their A.A.S. degree, the first of which can be earned after only a year of study. For more information about credit certificates, contact your HCAT Advisor.
You'll be prepared for entry-level employment in the hospitality industry such as in a restaurant, hotel or bakery. This certificate builds toward a hotel/restaurant management degree, in either the baking and pastry arts concentration or the culinary arts concentration. This also contains prerequisite courses for either the culinary arts certificate or the baking and pastry certificate.
You’ll be well prepared for a number of positions within the hospitality industry, such as at a restaurant or hotel bakery, a privately-owned bakery or a wholesale club or grocery store bakery.
You’ll gain a broad overview of cooking and baking techniques, becoming qualified for a number of entry-level food-preparation positions in industries such as hotels, clubs, airlines, cruise ships or restaurants.
We’re not meant to just stay in the same place all the time. Once you get bored, your purpose has been filled and it’s time for you to move on. Be OK with changing paths and be not OK with staying somewhere that no longer serves you.
Alajandra Robinson, AACC culinary grad and chef, AACC 2022 Valedictorian
If our Hotel and Culinary program sounds appealing but you’d like to compare it to other offerings, see if one of these programs is a better fit:
Two years ago, Hannah Granito was balancing classes toward a bachelor's degree in public health at the University of Maryland College Park and the baking and pastry arts associate degree at Anne Arundel Community College. An internship during her time at AACC ended up leading to her dream job.
Read Hannah's Story