The Culinary Institute of America Externship
- Location Hyde Park, NY
- Nearest ELS Center N.Y., Riverdale,NY

Learn more about University Programs That Provide Work Experience in the U.S.A Frequently Asked Questions
Key Major | Future Job Possibilities | Sample Externship Companies |
Culinary Arts (Associate) | Sous Chef, Food & Beverage Manager, Caterer | Aramark Corporation, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Restaurant Daniel |
Baking and Pastry Arts (Associate) | Pastry Chef, Chocolatier, Cake Decorator | M&M/Mars, Bouley Bakery, Charm City Cakes |
Management (Bachelor) | Executive Chef, Restaurateur/Entrepreneur, Corporate Chef | The Walt Disney Company, Thomas Keller Restaurant Group, American Food & Vending |
Culinary Science (Bachelor) | Recipe Developer, Restaurant Chef, Research & Development Chef | Panera Bread, Signature Blends, Alinea |
Applied Food Studies (Bachelor) | Farm-to-Table Chef, Nutritionist, Culinary Educator | Blue Hill Farms, American Public Health Association, National Dairy Council |
Chef & Restaurant Awards | The Book, Broadcast, and Journalism Awards |
• Outstanding Service (Andrew Chabot ’02) • Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Professional (Rajat Parr ’96) • Best Chef: South (Alon Shaya ’99) • Best Chef: West (Stuart Brioza ’98) |
• Cookbook (Nicolaus Balla ’02) • Best Television Program, On Location (Anthony Bourdain ’78) • Lifetime Achievement Award, Foodservice Educators Network • International (President Tim Ryan '77) |
CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Benefits
Externship, which typically takes place between the freshman and sophomore years, is a full-time commitment of a minimum of 15 weeks or 600 hours of full-time work at a CIA-approved location. Students choose a site from the more than 1,200 leading foodservice establishments that offer a variety of settings—world-famous restaurants, exotic resorts, glamorous magazines, high-profile television networks, and more. Then they go sharpen their skills and make valuable industry contacts in a dynamic real-world environment.
Following the course, students must submit an acceptable externship manual within two weeks. A satisfactory evaluation of the experience is required for students to receive their degree.
Requirements
Externship is considered a requirement and all students must attend externship career planning sessions scheduled during the first and second semesters. Per U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulations, international students with an F-1 visa must complete one full academic year (two semesters) to be eligible to enter the course of Externship. Student Financial and Registration Services will verify that this requirement has been met. International students will need to provide a copy of their completed Training Agreement to the manager of international students in the CIA Admissions Department to have their I-20 form authorized, and then obtain a Social Security card.
Students should begin exploring externship possibilities well in advance to make sure they have secured a position and submitted a training agreement at the end of the second semester. They must select an externship site from an established list of approved sites, and it is each student’s responsibility to initiate contact with these employers and obtain a position as an extern.
To pass the course of Externship, students must achieve a passing evaluation from their externship supervisor, submit all externship assignments on time for grading, and receive a passing grade for these assignments.
Housing | Location Type | Offers Scholarships | Degrees Offered | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Available for Undergraduate | Suburban | Yes | Associate, Career/Undergraduate Certificate, Bachelor, Master | ||
Public/Private | Institution Type | Student Body | Student Population | ||
Private | Baccalaureate College | Co-educational | 2912 (Total) | 424 (International) |
Please Note:While you will build your resume and gain many professional skills during your co-op or internship, participating in a co-op or internship does not guarantee employment. Sample companies and future job possibilities are intended to highlight possible outcomes.