Nashville State’s Randy Rayburn School of Culinary Arts offers a one-year technical certificate and a two-year Culinary Arts A.A.S. Both include baking within a broader cooking and food service curriculum.
The college publishes approximate program costs, which helps students plan. Most culinary classes take place at its Southeast campus, so travel and lab schedules matter when comparing options.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| School | Nashville State Community College |
| Credential | Culinary Arts technical certificate; Culinary Arts A.A.S. |
| Location | Southeast campus, Nashville, for most culinary classes |
| Credits | Confirm the current catalog credit total for each credential |
| Length | One year for technical certificate; two years for A.A.S. |
| Published cost | About $4,726 certificate or $9,490 A.A.S. in tuition and fees, per program page |
| Format | Primarily in-person culinary labs; some general education may be online |
Baking and Pastry Program Options
One-year Culinary Arts technical certificate
The certificate covers food preparation, cooking, and baking for work in restaurants, hotels, and bakeshops. Nashville State says its courses can apply toward the A.A.S. Ask the advisor which courses specifically develop pastry skills.
Two-year Culinary Arts A.A.S.
The degree adds business, computer, and liberal arts coursework to a culinary core. Students study nutrition, sanitation, cost control, and hands-on food preparation. Nashville State describes opportunities to practice skills in a professional environment.
Curriculum and Baking Courses
The published program information includes the following areas. Check the current catalog for the exact required classes and electives:
- Food preparation, cooking, and baking fundamentals
- Sanitation and kitchen safety
- Nutrition and culinary operations
- Cost control and business concepts in the associate program
- Computer and liberal arts coursework in the associate program
Tuition and Additional Costs
Nashville State’s culinary program page estimates about $4,726 in tuition and fees for the one-year certificate and $9,490 for the two-year A.A.S. These are school estimates, rather than a guarantee of a student’s individual bill.
| Item | Cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts technical certificate | About $4,726 | School’s published tuition and fee estimate |
| Culinary Arts A.A.S. | About $9,490 | School’s published tuition and fee estimate |
| Culinary course surcharge | $30 per credit | Published fee on culinary courses; confirm how included in estimates |
Students also buy tools, including knives, and suitable chef clothing. Assigned projects may require ingredients outside class. Ask whether the published program estimates include every $30-per-credit culinary fee. Residency, credit load, aid, and any online course charges can alter the bill.
Admissions and Financial Aid
- Follow Nashville State’s application process and send the academic records requested for your applicant type.
- Review the technical certificate and A.A.S. catalog plans with a culinary advisor before registering. Ask which baking classes count toward each credential.
- Check the current schedule: most culinary courses are at Southeast, while some courses and general education classes may have online options.
Aid depends on the student’s circumstances and the selected credential. Complete the FAFSA if you want to be considered for federal aid, and ask the school’s financial aid office which state and institutional programs apply.
Learning Format and Campus Experience
Most culinary classes meet at the Southeast campus. Some other courses may be available online, but students should check each term’s schedule.
Career Preparation and Transfer Considerations
Nashville State says the credentials prepare students for food service settings that include bakeries, restaurants, and hotels. The A.A.S. includes the operational subjects that may help with kitchen supervision. The school lists American Culinary Federation accreditation for its Culinary Arts A.A.S.; confirm any separate status for the certificate.
Which Pathway May Fit You?
A practical choice for Nashville students who want broad culinary skills and a published program cost. If pastry production is your main goal, compare the number of dedicated baking courses with Remington’s pastry diploma and Pellissippi’s baking concentration.
Compare other Tennessee baking schools before applying.
Questions to Ask Before Applying
- How many required courses focus primarily on baking and pastry?
- What is the exact credit total in the current catalog?
- Does the published program cost include culinary course fees?
- Which lab classes run at Southeast, and on what days?
- Can every certificate course count toward the A.A.S.?