Partnerships
Wake Tech, Johnson & Wales University Announce New Transfer Partnership
Agreement Opens Four-Year Degree Options for Culinary and Baking Graduates
RALEIGH, N.C. (March 28, 2023) – A new academic partnership between Wake Tech and Johnson & Wales University (JWU) makes it possible for Wake Tech Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts associate degree graduates to pursue JWU bachelor's degrees in three food programs.
The new articulation agreement is Wake Tech's first university transfer partnership allowing culinary and baking graduates advanced degree opportunities in their career field.
Wake Tech and JWU celebrated the new partnership today during a signing ceremony held at Flavors, Wake Tech's full-service restaurant operated by students in the Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry Arts and Hospitality Management programs.
The advanced degrees at JWU will expand business and management training for culinary and baking graduates and prepare them for high-demand careers in food product research and development, food service management and food and beverage industry entrepreneurship. Currently, 175 students are enrolled in Wake Tech's Culinary Arts degree program, and 150 students are pursuing their Baking & Pastry Arts degree.
With the new articulation agreement:
- Wake Tech students who earn an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Culinary Arts can transfer into the following JWU bachelor of science degree programs:
- Applied Food Science
- Food and Beverage Industry Management 2+2
- Food and Beverage Entrepreneurship
- Wake Tech students who earn an AAS in Baking & Pastry Arts can transfer into the following JWU bachelor of science degree programs:
- Applied Food Science
- Food and Beverage Industry Management 2+2
Wake Tech's new partnership with JWU is an example of the college's "ladder economics" strategies that offer workforce transfer partnerships through bachelor degree pathways with university partners. All associate degree programs at Wake Tech, including AAS degrees like Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts, have transfer opportunities to a four-year college or university.
"We are excited about our new partnership with Johnson & Wales University and the career and economic mobility opportunity it brings for our Culinary and Baking & Pastry Arts graduates," said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. "Partnering with one of the nation's most renowned institutions in the food and beverage sector furthers the opportunities for residents to ladder into our region's growing hospitality industry jobs through Wake Tech."
"The College of Food Innovation & Technology at Johnson & Wales University is thrilled to launch a formal relationship with Wake Tech through which Culinary and Baking & Pastry Arts graduates will have seamless access to a number of food-related JWU baccalaureate programs," said Jason Evans, dean of JWU's College of Food Innovation & Technology. "Our hope is that this agreement will encourage talented Wake Tech students to continue their educational pursuits and join the ranks of JWU graduates who have become world-class food entrepreneurs, innovators and thought leaders."
JWU plans to offer scholarships to eligible students based on GPA.
Wake Tech's Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts programs are accredited by the American Culinary Federation, the standard of excellence for chefs in North America.
