CIA Online Master’s Programs

Advance your career in today's complex food, beverage, and hospitality industry. Unlike general MBA programs, our Food Business master's combines sustainability, innovation, and food ethics with essential business leadership skills.

Get personalized program information and take the first step toward food industry leadership.

Your career success—and impact—in today’s food, beverage, and hospitality industry depends on a deep understanding of increasingly complex systems. That’s why you’ll find CIA graduates in nearly every corner of the food world, from research and development to health policy to environmental science. And, of course, owning and managing food businesses.

In this renowned business program, you’ll hone the skills you need to successfully assess market opportunities, pitch investors and senior executives, and spearhead the next food movement. Unlike general MBA programs, our master’s in Food Business program combines decades of thought leadership in sustainability, innovation, wellness, and food ethics with traditional business topics such as leadership, finance, human resources, product development, and marketing.

Our master’s degree in Food Business offers students the tactical and strategic skills needed to pursue their ambitions. During the program you will:

Learn how to turn a great idea into a scalable, profitable business.

Gain the strategic, financial, and operational knowledge needed to launch and manage a successful restaurant.

Gain the skills to optimize operations and effectively lead your organization.

CIA’s master’s degree in Food Business is designed for leaders looking to advance their career in the food, beverage, and hospitality industry. Whether you are looking to be the boss of your own business or rise to the executive level at your current company, this is the program for you. Graduates from this program can become:

The two-year, 30-credit Food Business master’s degree program includes:

• 27 credits in online courses covering subjects such as food systems, ethical leadership, business, and design thinking, as well as a capstone project developed with the help of faculty and advisors.
• 3 credits consisting of three short, campus-based residencies at major food hubs in California’s Napa Valley and New York’s Hudson Valley where you’ll experience hands-on learning, network with your cohort and experts, and present your Capstone Project.
• Choose from three specialized tracks that will deepen your focus on Food Products/Concepts, Restaurants/Foodservice, or Strategy/Management.

The asynchronous online learning format of the Food Business master’s degree program is supported by three in-person residencies. Your cohort will gather for hands-on learning and immersive experiences in the major food hubs of California’s Napa Valley and New York’s Hudson Valley including:

• Meet with leading entrepreneurs and get a behind-the-scenes look at how running a business can innovate the food, beverage, and hospitality industry.
• Attend the CIA-Harvard collaboration Menus of Change Leadership Summit and network with leading food industry leaders.
• Collaborate with your fellow cohort members, who all share your passion for the food industry.

The Culinary Institute of America has been educating successful food, beverage, and hospitality industry professionals for decades, helping to launch and advance thousands of careers. As a graduate of CIA, you’ll instantly become a part of the most notable Alumni Network—paving the way for exceptional career opportunities. You’ll also have lifelong access to career resources, including job listings, mentors, and networking events. Our master’s alumni have accelerated their careers to own restaurants and businesses, impact the health of communities, craft signature wine brands, become food writers, and become changemakers in their industry.

That’s the iconic CIA Network.

Our master’s students receive exclusive access to one-on-one mentoring sessions with industry leaders in the world of food, beverage, hospitality, and sustainability. The network includes finance experts, marketing professionals, food business owners, entrepreneurs, and more.

What are requirements for admission?

You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution or hold an international equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. If your first language is not English, you must complete an English proficiency examination.

Do I need to take the GMAT or GRE for admission?

No—CIA does not require GMAT or GRE submittals for master’s degree program applicants.

Will I need to move to a CIA campus location to complete my studies?

No—the online master’s degree program has been designed for distance delivery. Other than the required short residencies (four to six days), students should be able to complete the program from any location with an internet connection. 

Is it possible to work a full-time job while enrolled in the online master’s degree program?

While the academic rigor of the online master’s degree program does require commitment, we believe the workload and pacing will allow most students to achieve a reasonable work/life/study balance. Students will generally be enrolled in two, 3-credit hour courses per 15-week semester. Study time is flexible; students can spread class work across multiple short study sessions or fewer blocks of longer duration to meet their schedule needs. Students can expect to commit an average of 20 hours per week to coursework.

Do I need to be a chef or a food industry veteran to be considered for admission?

No—food industry experience is always a plus, but is not required as long as your application conveys more than a casual interest in the food business.

Can CIA’s online master’s degree program be taken over a longer time period than the prescribed two years?

Students are expected to stay on pace and progress with their original cohort. Our programs been intentionally designed to be delivered in an environment where students bond and develop into a learning community over these two years.

The Culinary Institute of America

1946 Campus Drive

Hyde Park, NY 12590