Florida Education Institute offers two pastry and baking routes in the Miami area: a 36-week Pastry and Baking Arts diploma and a 75-week Pastry and Baking Management Associate of Applied Science. The diploma emphasizes technical kitchen work; the A.A.S. adds hospitality and bakery management.
FEI’s current program pages say the diploma is in person at its Coral Gables campus and describe the A.A.S. as hybrid with on-campus kitchen practice. Its 2025–26 catalog publishes program tuition, but applicants should obtain a current written quote before enrolling.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| School | Florida Education Institute |
| Location | Coral Gables/Miami, Florida |
| Credentials | Pastry and Baking Arts Diploma; Pastry and Baking Management A.A.S. |
| Length | 36 weeks; 75 weeks |
| Credits | 48 diploma; 94 A.A.S. in the 2025–26 catalog |
| Format | Diploma in person; A.A.S. hybrid with campus kitchen labs |
| 2025–26 catalog tuition | $19,791 diploma; $36,700 A.A.S.; verify current pricing |
Diploma and Associate Degree Compared
The diploma page describes 36 weeks of in-person kitchen training. The 2025–26 catalog lists 12 four-credit courses, totaling 48 credits. A student works through pastry techniques, classic and international pastries, laminated dough, chocolate, sugar art, artisan breads, and nutrition.
The Pastry and Baking Management A.A.S. lasts about 75 weeks. The catalog lists 94 credits and adds bakery operations, hospitality, human resources, marketing, and related management study to the baking core.
Students should ask which diploma classes apply directly to the A.A.S. and whether credits transfer to colleges outside FEI. Applied degrees may have different transfer treatment from public college associate degrees.
Kitchen Training and Format
FEI says diploma instruction is fully hands-on and in person at the Coral Gables campus. The A.A.S. combines online coursework with on-campus kitchen instruction. Students should ask for the exact weekly campus schedule and the proportion of required online work.
- Pastry and baking science, ingredients, and production methods.
- Breads, laminated dough, cakes, plated desserts, and confectionery.
- Food safety and sanitation in each program.
- Bakery operations and hospitality management in the A.A.S.
Tuition and Full Cost
FEI’s 2025–26 catalog lists $19,791 for the Pastry and Baking Arts diploma and $36,700 for the Pastry and Baking Management A.A.S. It separately lists a $100 initial registration fee and other possible charges.
Those figures are from an earlier catalog year and should be treated as a benchmark, not a current offer. The live program pages ask students to speak with an advisor for current pricing. Request an itemized tuition, fees, books, supplies, and financing statement for the exact program and start date.
Admissions and Financial Aid
FEI says no prior baking experience is required for the diploma. Applicants speak with an advisor, confirm admission requirements and funding options, and select an available start date. The school states that financial aid may be available to those who qualify, including scholarships and payment plans.
Before signing an enrollment agreement, ask for written program outcomes, refund terms, total cost, and the amount of any loan after grants. The Council on Occupational Education accredits FEI, but accreditation alone does not determine the value of a particular financing offer.
Career Goals and Choosing a Route
The diploma prepares students for entry-level pastry cook, baker, cake decorator, and bakery team roles. The A.A.S. adds management topics for students who want to build toward supervisory or business work. Neither credential guarantees a management role immediately after graduation.
FEI is a private option with a much higher published tuition than many Florida public technical colleges. Students should compare hands-on hours, schedule, outcomes, and their net price after aid before choosing a route.
Questions to Ask FEI
- What is the current total cost for my chosen program and start date?
- How many diploma credits apply to the A.A.S.?
- Which A.A.S. activities are online and which require campus attendance?
- What are the latest program-specific completion and placement results?
- What will I owe under each financing option if I withdraw or finish?
Related Programs
Program details and prices can change. Confirm current requirements and costs with the school before applying.