The university has 64 campuses aimed at making higher education available to all state residents. The colleges are variously classified as community colleges, technology colleges, comprehensive colleges, and research and university centers. They offer traditional degree programs, but students also can pursue careers in vocational-technical fields, including the culinary arts, baking and pastry arts.
Several campuses offer certificates or associate's degrees in branches of the culinary arts, in which students learn the fundamentals of cooking and baking. A student can obtain a certificate in about two semesters or an associate's degree in roughly four semesters.
The associate of occupational science degree in culinary arts prepares students to enter the field as entry-level cooks. Students can study for this degree at Alfred State College in Alfred, in western New York; Cobleskill, west of Albany; Delhi, in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains; Erie Community College, both City and North campuses, in Erie; Mohawk Valley Community College in Rome, east of Syracuse; Niagara County Community College in Sanborn, southeast of Niagara; Schenectady County Community College in Schenectady; and Sullivan County Community College in Loch Sheldrake, northeast of Scranton, Pa.
Students can obtain a certificate in baking and pastry arts at Erie Community College (City) or Niagara County Community College. The associate's degree in pastry arts prepares students to enter the field as a journeyman baker, confectioner or decorator. They can study for that program at Niagara or Sullivan County Community College.
Alfred State College also offers an associate's degree in baking production and management. Students studying this field will spend about 80 percent of their time acquiring hands-on experience in baking.