Baking & Pastry Arts

Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)

Baking & Pastry Arts has reached capacity and is waitlisted for Spring 2026 and Fall 2026. Prior to application deadlines, you can still apply for this program but will not begin technical coursework in your first semester.

Breathtaking wedding cakes expertly decorated and ready to steal the show. Rich and stunning pastries baked to perfection. At Penn College, we take pride in the craft. To bake is to create. To design something inspired. We perfect skills and master methods. Understand theory and apply it in practice. Technique is topped off with leadership lessons and the know-how to manage a bakery of your own.

This program has been recognized as an Exemplary Program.

Exemplary Programs symbolize the highest educational standards recognized by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC). The award is presented to programs that have proven full compliance with all ACFEFAC accreditation requirements in the last visiting team report along with excellent management of the program.

Courses

Your coursework will cover classes specific to your area of specialization along with foundational concepts and lessons that invite fresh perspectives.

Semesters

Courses

Credits

Legend# Credits
Program-specific courses
General courses

Fall 2026

Spring 2027

Summer 2027

Baking & Pastry Arts Internship
1

Fall 2027

Please Note: The outlined curriculum assumes a fall semester start for students completing a full credit load schedule without additional developmental math requirements. Students beginning in the spring or summer, taking less than a full load, and/or requiring developmental coursework follow an altered curriculum sequence. Speak to your academic advisor or school office with questions.

Detailed Major Requirements

Careers

Head baker
Pastry chef
Bakery entrepreneur
Bakery operations manager
Mid-level positions in baking & candy making

Average Class Size

97%

Overall Placement

Complete in as Little as 3 Semesters

Virtual Tour: Baking & Culinary

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the kitchens used for instruction and Le Jeune Chef, our on-campus casual fine dining restaurant. The live labs give students an opportunity to put their talent on the table and work with real customers.

A Penn College Baking & Pastry student works in a professional kitchen lab, practicing hands‑on pastry and baking techniques.

Facilities: Baking & Pastry Arts Lab

Put your techniques to the test in our expansive lab—outfitted with world-class equipment like the MIWE Condo four-deck oven with integrated loader.

Launch Virtual Lab Tour

Tour Schedule: Seeing is believing.

Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.

More tour dates are on the way.

But let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Contact

Admissions Office

DJG, Rm. 1068
+1.570.327.4761
+1.800.367.9222
admissions@pct.edu

Scholarships

As a Baking & Culinary student at Penn College, you may be elgible for 133 scholarships.

27 Program-related scholarships

106 Additional scholarships

Explore scholarships

Penn College News: Real World Ready

Students’ sustainability efforts help area nonprofits

June 24, 2026

In 2025-26, culinary sustainability students demonstrated their commitment to environmentally responsible practices and community engagement through a series of…

Love by the ladle-ful

May 06, 2026

From the Spring 2026 Penn College Magazine: Chef Frank M. Suchwala shares the recipe for a mushroom soup he and his students make for a Central Pennsylvania…

Photos highlight students’ Kentucky Derby experience

May 05, 2026

Penn College students and faculty returned Sunday from a week of work at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, where they joined a nationwide crew of…

Student's bakery receives award at charity event

May 05, 2026

Applied management student and baking & pastry arts graduate Kendal L. Johnson, of Scranton, was among those receiving awards at the 13th annual Cupcake…

And they're off!

April 28, 2026

A contingent of Penn College business and hospitality students – along with faculty and Le Jeune Chef staff – left campus Monday morning and traveled by bus to…

WNEP gives viewers a taste of the Kentucky Derby

April 23, 2026

WNEP-TV journalist Mackenzie Aucker visited a Penn College baking lab on Wednesday to interview students and faculty who will help provide a deluxe dining…

Penn College students to join Kentucky Derby staff

April 10, 2026

Pennsylvania College of Technology students and employees are again set to make a delicious impact at the iconic Kentucky Derby, slated to make its 152nd run at…

Levy selects students for the Kentucky Derby

February 16, 2026

Levy, the food/beverage provider for Churchill Downs, is once again counting on Penn College students to help feed tens of thousands of spectators at one of the…

Penn College announces slate of Farm Show activities

January 05, 2026

Pennsylvania College of Technology will again showcase its hands-on applied technology education for the thousands who attend the Pennsylvania Farm Show. The…

Culinary students feed nearly 500

December 17, 2025

Students in Applications of Professional Cooking recently worked with the professional staff of Le Jeune Chef Restaurant to feed 475 Lycoming Engines employees…

In the Media: Tomorrow Makers: A Penn College Podcast

Check out the Tomorrow Makers podcast with guest Chef Charles.

<a href=https://rss.com/podcasts/tomorrowmakers/1318068/>Charles Niedermyer II: Zest for Life</a>

Industry Partners: Work with experts to become an expert

Penn College's strong partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.

Internship: Your knowledge in practice

Show them what you've got. Internship experiences allow students to get a taste of career opportunities before they graduate. In fact, many lead to job offers!

Learn More

Penn College Baking & Pastry student works in a professional kitchen.

Student Life: Lead and put your skills to the test

Penn College culinary student works in a professional kitchen, preparing food as part of hands‑on culinary training.

American Culinary Federation

This national organization promotes the image of American chefs. Students are encouraged to join and obtain their ACF certification. Graduates of this program who maintain an active Junior membership in the local ACF chapter are eligible to certify as a Certified Culinarian for free.

Learn more

Group of Penn College students standing together in a campus setting, representing student activities and organizations.

Student Organizations at Penn College

Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.

Get Involved

Penn College students pose in front of historic Italian architecture while participating in a study abroad program.

Study Abroad: Gain global experience

See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.

Learn More

Student Experience

"Penn College offers so many opportunities I wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else! How many people can say they went to the Kentucky Derby to work every year with the support of their college and professors?!"

Gloria Boronow Baking & Pastry Arts

Student Experience: The community as their classroom

Penn College Baking & Pastry Arts students present themed desserts at the Kentucky Derby.

Beyond the classroom

There’s more to learning than lectures and labs. Opportunities like the Kentucky Derby are one of the many ways that our students bring learning to life.

Learn more

Uniform Appearance and Standards

Hospitality students must adhere to these Uniform and Appearance Requirements.

HOSPITALITY UNIFORM AND APPEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

More Information

Accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC).

Students must acquire their own tools and laptop computer as noted below.

Required Tools, Uniforms, and Supplies

See the Tool List and Hospitality Uniform and Appearance Requirements for this major.

Required Laptop Computer

Chromebooks and other devices running Chrome OS are prohibited.
Unless otherwise specified by your major, MacBooks and other Apple products are not recommended for coursework.
Windows 11 or higher (recommended).
Intel Core i5 or i7 or AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 processor (recommended).
ARM based processors are not recommended.
16+ GB RAM (recommended). 
250+ GB Solid State Disk (SSD) drive (recommended).
The laptop must include a webcam and microphone (required).
The laptop must include a wireless network card (required).
Broadband Internet connection when working off campus (required).
Extended support agreement, including accidental damage protection (recommended).
Power bank suitable for your laptop (recommended).

This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College (see see Transferring Credits). Exceptions must be approved by the school dean.

Graduate and Job Placement Data

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page in our Course Catalog for general requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.

Hospitality Advisory Committee Members

Mr. Francis A Daniele

Chef/Owner

Joanna's Italian Bakery

Ms. Diane L Dorner

District Supervisor

Carrols Corporation

Mr. Joel Hough

Regional Manager

The Restaurant Store

Mr. Chris Kowalewski

Chief Growth Officer & Senior VP of Sales