Program Details Page Professional Baking Certificate & AAS

Welcome to the Program Page dedicated to the Professional Baking Certificate & AAS program! This page is designed to give an overview of what the quarter will look like based on the starting point in the year. Click on one of the desired tabs below to view the course schedule. This information may be subject to change at any time without notice, please contact your adviser for more information regarding the courses.

Did you take baking or pastry classes in high school? You may be eligible for dual credit if you earned a "C" in your classes and it has been less than two years since you graduated from high school. Learn more on our CTE Dual Credit website.

Bookstore Information

a picture of an open book Information regarding the materials can be found at the RTC bookstore. Just fill in the course information and you will be set!

The bookstore has what you need in regard to materials so be sure to check it out! It is always better to be prepared than to wait last second to buy your materials!

General Overview

When can I start? Summer, (July), Fall (September), Winter (January), or Spring (April)

How long is the program?

4 quarters (14 months) and 75 credits for the certificate
5 quarters (17 months) and 90 credits for the AAS degree

When do classes meet? On-campus from 6:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Are summer classes required? Yes. You will need to enroll during the summer to complete your certificate or degree.

Study classical and contemporary baking in a well-equipped professional kitchen. You will learn to make bread, pies, pastries, cookies, doughnuts, and cakes. You also get to manage production in the campus bakery.

What does a professional baker do?

What is the average salary?

$37,480 annually in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area. Most bakers earn at least $31,540.

Who can I contact with questions?

New students, please visit our Zoom lobby (Links to an external site.) to talk with someone by video chat, or e-mail our advising department.
For current students, please visit RTC's advising page (Links to an external site and look for the faculty counselor assigned to Professional Baking.

(Links to an external site.)

Overall Materials Needed:

Food handler's permit (needed within the first two weeks of joining the program. Initial cost is $10)
Comfortable clothing and closed-toed shoes
Padlock for lockers
Uniform (cost TBD)
Digital thermometer, kitchen calculator, Professional Baking textbook bundle, books and exam voucher for CUL 105 ($510 for all)

Minimum grades needed

You must pass each class with a grade of 1.0 or higher. You also must have a cumulative or overall GPA of 2.0 or higher to complete your Professional Baking certificate or AAS degree.

Materials Warning

Some materials on this page are listed as TBD, which means that the materials have yet to be determined. Please consult your instructor on what textbooks or materials are required for the class. If you rent a textbook, make sure you return it by the deadline. If you purchase a textbook, you can sell it back to the RTC bookstore -- but make sure that you won't need the book again for classes in the future!

Mobile Browser Information

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Fall

Quarter 1

Fall Start

[Fall] Quarter 1 Course Information
**Description:** This quarter introduces you to the 12-step baking process, including kitchen safety, dough mixing, and eight basic cookie types.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
COL 101	College Success	NO	2
BAK 101	Ovens I	YES	3
BAK 103	Doughnuts	NO	3
BAK 104	Scaling	NO	3
BAK 107	Cookies	NO	3
BAK 109	Pastries	NO	3
BAK 117	Bakery Operations I	NO	3
CUL 105	Foundations	YES	3

Quarter 2

[Winter] Quarter 2 Course Information
**Description:** You will continue to build your skills and learn key calculations to achieve consistency and successful results.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
BAK 105	Mixing I	NO	3
BAK 108	Pies and Tarts	NO	3
BAK 110	Yeast Doughs I	NO	3
BAK 112	Puff Pastries	NO	3
BAK 113	Cakes I	NO	3
BAK 115	Artisan Bread I	NO	3
CMST 280	Intercultural Communication (recommended) or another communication or humanities class	varies by class	5

Quarter 3

[Spring] Quarter 3 Course Information
**Description:** *In this quarter, you learn about bread and pastry doughs; piping and filling; and retail bakery displays. You also practice opening, closing, and storeroom duties related to daily service..*
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
BAK 102	Ovens II	NO	3
BAK 106	Mixing II	NO	3
BAK 111	Yeast Doughs II	NO	3
BAK 114	Cakes II	NO	3
BAK 116	Artisan Bread II	NO	3
BAK 118	Bakery Operations II	NO	3

Quarter 4

[Summer] Quarter 4 Course Information
**Description:** You apply your artistry to intermediate and advanced baking techniques (croissants, sourdough, fondant, special-order cakes). You get the opportunity to manage all production for the RTC bakery.
**It's time to apply for your certificate!**
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
BAK 119	Cakes III	NO	3
BAK 120	French Pastries	NO	3
BAK 160	Bakery Math	NO	5
(CMST 280) If not taken in Quarter 2, take this course in Quarter 4	Intercultural Communication (recommended) or another communication or humanities class	varies by class	5

Estimated Total Cost for Your Certificate of Completion: $10,178 plus cost of uniform

You can continue with Quarter 5 to earn your AAS degree.

Quarter 5

[Fall] Quarter 5 Course Information
**Description:** In this quarter, you complete General Education credits for your Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. You must take a social science class, but you get to choose the other two General Education classes. Recommendations are included below.
It's time to apply for graduation!
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
PSYC& 100	General Psychology (recommended) or another social science class	YES	5
BUS& 101	Introduction to Business (recommended) or another General Education elective	NO	5
NUTR& 101	Human Nutrition (recommended) or another General Education elective	NO	5

Estimated Total Cost for Your AAS Degree: $12,020 plus cost of uniform

Winter

Quarter 1

Winter Start

[Winter] Quarter 1 Course Information
**Estimated tuition and fees: $3,014**
**Description:** This quarter introduces you to the 12-step baking process, including kitchen safety, dough mixing, and eight basic cookie types.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
COL 101	College Success	NO	2
BAK 101	Ovens I	YES	3
BAK 103	Doughnuts	NO	3
BAK 104	Scaling	NO	3
BAK 107	Cookies	NO	3
BAK 109	Pastries	NO	3
BAK 117	Bakery Operations I	NO	3
CUL 105	Foundations	YES	3

Quarter 2

[Spring] Quarter 2 Course Information
**Estimated tuition and fees: $2,044**
**Description:** You will continue to build your skills and learn key calculations to achieve consistency and successful results.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
BAK 105	Mixing I	NO	3
BAK 108	Pies and Tarts	NO	3
BAK 110	Yeast Doughs I	NO	3
BAK 112	Puff Pastries	NO	3
BAK 113	Cakes I	NO	3
BAK 115	Artisan Bread I	NO	3

Quarter 3

[Summer] Quarter 3 Course Information
**Description:** *In this quarter, you learn about bread and pastry doughs; piping and filling; and retail bakery displays. You also practice opening, closing, and storeroom duties related to daily service..*
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
BAK 102	Ovens II	NO	3
BAK 106	Mixing II	NO	3
BAK 160	Bakery Math	NO	5
CMST 280	Intercultural Communication (recommended) or another communication or humanities class	varies by class	5

Quarter 4

[Fall] Quarter 4 Course Information
**Description:** You apply your artistry to intermediate and advanced baking techniques (croissants, sourdough, fondant, special-order cakes). You get the opportunity to manage all production for the RTC bakery.
**It's time to apply for your certificate!**
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
BAK 111	Yeast Doughs II	NO	3
BAK 114	Cakes II	NO	3
BAK 116	Artisan Bread II	NO	3
BAK 118	Bakery Operations II	NO	3
BAK 119	Cakes III	NO	3
BAK 120	French Pastries	NO	3

Estimated Total Cost for Your Certificate of Completion: $10,178 plus cost of uniform

You can continue with Quarter 5 to earn your AAS degree.

Quarter 5

[Winter] Quarter 5 Course Information
**Description:** In this quarter, you complete General Education credits for your Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. You must take a social science class, but you get to choose the other two General Education classes. Recommendations are included below.
It's time to apply for graduation!
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
PSYC& 100	General Psychology (recommended) or another social science class	YES	5
BUS& 101	Introduction to Business (recommended) or another General Education elective	NO	5
NUTR& 101	Human Nutrition (recommended) or another General Education elective	NO	5

Estimated Total Cost for Your AAS Degree: $12,020 plus cost of uniform

Spring

Quarter 1

Spring Start

[Spring] Quarter 1 Course Information
**Description:** This quarter introduces you to the 12-step baking process, including kitchen safety, dough mixing, and eight basic cookie types.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
COL 101	College Success	NO	2
BAK 101	Ovens I	YES	3
BAK 103	Doughnuts	NO	3
BAK 104	Scaling	NO	3
BAK 107	Cookies	NO	3
BAK 109	Pastries	NO	3
BAK 117	Bakery Operations I	NO	3
CUL 105	Foundations	YES	3

Quarter 2

[Summer] Quarter 2 Course Information
**Description:** In this quarter, you learn about bread and pastry doughs; piping and filling; and retail bakery displays. You also practice opening, closing, and storeroom duties related to daily service.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
BAK 105	Mixing I	NO	3
BAK 108	Pies and Tarts	NO	3
BAK 160	Bakery Math	NO	5
CMST 280	Intercultural Communication (recommended) or another communication or humanities class	varies by class	5

Quarter 3

[Fall] Quarter 3 Course Information
**Description:** You apply your artistry to intermediate and advanced baking techniques (croissants, sourdough, fondant, special-order cakes). You get the opportunity to manage all production for the RTC bakery.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
BAK 110	Yeast Doughs I	NO	3
BAK 112	Puff Pastries	NO	3
BAK 113	Cakes I	NO	3
BAK 115	Artisan Bread I	NO	3
BAK 102	Ovens II	NO	3
BAK 106	Mixing II	NO	3

Quarter 4

[Winter] Quarter 4 Course Information
**Description:** You learn to make advanced specialty and wedding cakes as well as classic and contemporary French pastries, petit fours, and simple truffles.
Note: This quarter grants a certificate of completion.
**It's time to apply for your certificate!**
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
BAK 111	Yeast Doughs II	NO	3
BAK 114	Cakes II	NO	3
BAK 116	Artisan Bread II	NO	3
BAK 118	Bakery Operations II	NO	3
BAK 119	Cakes III	NO	3
BAK 120	French Pastries	NO	3

Estimated Total Cost for Your Certificate of Completion: $10,178 plus cost of uniform

You can continue with Quarter 5 to earn your AAS degree.

Quarter 5

[Spring] Quarter 5 Course Information
**Estimated tuition and fees: $1,841**
**Description:** In this quarter, you complete General Education credits for your Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. You must take a social science class, but you get to choose the other two General Education classes. Recommendations are included below.
**It's time to apply for graduation!**
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
PSYC& 100	General Psychology (recommended) or another social science class	YES	5
BUS& 101	Introduction to Business (recommended) or another General Education elective	NO	5
NUTR& 101	Human Nutrition (recommended) or another General Education elective	NO	5

Estimated Total Cost for Your AAS Degree: $12,020 plus cost of uniform

Summer

Quarter 1

Summer Start

[Summer] Quarter 1 Course Information
**Estimated tuition and fees: $3,014**
**Description:** This quarter introduces you to the 12-step baking process, including kitchen safety, dough mixing, and eight basic cookie types.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
COL 101	College Success	NO	2
BAK 101	Ovens I	YES	3
BAK 103	Doughnuts	NO	3
BAK 104	Scaling	NO	3
BAK 160	Bakery Math	NO	5

Quarter 2

[Fall] Quarter 2 Course Information
**Estimated tuition and fees: $2,300**
**Description:** In this quarter, you learn about bread and pastry doughs; piping and filling; and retail bakery displays. You also practice opening, closing, and storeroom duties related to daily service..
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
BAK 105	Mixing I	NO	3
BAK 107	Cookies	NO	3
BAK 108	Pies and Tarts	NO	3
BAK 109	Pastries	NO	3
BAK 110	Yeast Doughs I	NO	3
BAK 117	Bakery Operations I	NO	3
CUL 105	Foundations	YES	3

Quarter 3

[Winter] Quarter 3 Course Information
**Estimated tuition and fees: $2,044**
**Description:** You will continue to build your skills and learn key calculations to achieve consistency and successful results.
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
BAK 102	Ovens II	NO	3
BAK 106	Mixing II	NO	3
BAK 111	Yeast Doughs II	NO	3
BAK 112	Puff Pastries	NO	3
BAK 113	Cakes I	NO	3
BAK 115	Artisan Bread I	NO	3
CMST 280	Intercultural Communication (recommended) or another communication or humanities class	varies by class	5

Quarter 4

[Spring] Quarter 4 Course Information
**Estimated tuition and fees: $2,300**
**Description:** You apply your artistry to intermediate and advanced baking techniques (croissants, sourdough, fondant, special-order cakes). You get the opportunity to manage all production for the RTC bakery.
**It's time to apply for your certificate!**
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
BAK 114	Cakes II	NO	3
BAK 116	Artisan Bread II	NO	3
BAK 118	Bakery Options II	NO	3
BAK 119	Cakes III	NO	3
BAK 120	French Pastries	NO	3
CMST 280	Intercultural Communication (recommended) or another communication or humanities class	varies by class	5

Estimated Total Cost for Your Certificate of Completion: $10,178 plus cost of uniform

You can continue with Quarter 5 to earn your AAS degree.

Quarter 5

[Summer] Quarter 5 Course Information
**Estimated tuition and fees: $1,841**
**Description:** In this quarter, you complete General Education credits for your Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. You must take a social science class, but you get to choose the other two General Education classes. Recommendations are included below.
**It's time to apply for graduation!**
Course ID	Course Name	Materials	Credits
PSYC& 100	General Psychology (recommended) or another social science class	YES	5
BUS& 101	Introduction to Business (recommended) or another General Education elective	NO	5
NUTR& 101	Human Nutrition (recommended) or another General Education elective	NO	5

Estimated Total Cost for Your AAS Degree: $12,020 plus cost of uniform

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