Prepare for an Exciting Career in Pastry Arts
Westmoreland offers a degree, diploma and certificate in Pastry Arts. This curriculum is designed to prepare students for various positions in the baking industry.
What Will I Learn?
The program of study provides students with skills necessary for
the production of a wide range of bakery products, including:
- Yeast rolls, breads, pies, tarts, cookies, doughnuts
and frozen desserts based on local, regional and international
traditions and diversity - Cakes, cookies and centerpieces
- Pastry items and confectionery items
This program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation
Education Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC).
- View the Pastry Arts, AAS in the College Catalog
- View the Pastry Arts Diploma in the College Catalog
- View the Pastry Arts Certificate in the College Catalog
What Will I Earn?
If you plan to stay in the region, there are many occupations related to this program degree and certificates. In the 10-county region* surrounding Westmoreland County Community College, the earnings for occupations in this field range from $10.73 - $22.09 per hour, with an average hourly wage of $16.26.
It is important to remember that wages vary based on level of education, experience, job location and other factors.
Source: Data provided by Lightcast™ (https://lightcast.io/) 2026.1
* 10-county region includes Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Pastry Arts program may accept positions as: pastry cook, pastry chef, executive pastry chef, baker, cake decorator, baking sales representative, institutional baker/ pastry chef, retail baker/pastry chef, wholesale baker/pastry chef, production supervisor, food batch maker, operations manager, sales representative or training specialist.
Program Fees
In-County
- In-county credit rate: 66 credits x $143 = $9,438
- General fee per credit: 66 credits x $72 = $4,752
- Lab fee per lab class: 9 x $80 = $720
- Uniform: $130
- Tool kit: $261
- ACF one-year membership: $50
- Estimated textbooks: $2,000
- Total: $17,351
Out-of-County
- Out-of-county credit rate: 66 credits x $280 = $18,480
- General fee per credit: 66 credits x $72 = $4,752
- Lab fee per lab class: 9 x $80 = $720
- Uniform: $130
- Tool kit: $261
- ACF one-year membership: $50
- Estimated textbooks: $2,000
- Capital fee per credit: 66 credits x $6 = $396
- Total: $26,789
In-County
- In-county credit rate: 45 credits x $143 = $6,435
- General fee per credit: 45 credits x $72 = $3,240
- Lab fee per lab class: 9 x $80 = $720
- Uniform: $130
- Tool kit: $261
- ACF one-year membership: $50
- Estimated textbooks: $1,200
- Total: $12,036
Out-of-County
- Out-of-county credit rate: 45 credits x $280 = $12,600
- General fee per credit: 45 credits x $72 = $3,240
- Lab fee per lab class: 9 x $80 = $720
- Uniform: $130
- Tool kit: $261
- ACF one-year membership: $50
- Estimated textbooks: $1,200
- Capital fee per credit: 45 credits x $6 = $270
- Total: $18,471
In-County
- In-county credit rate: 16 credits x $143 = $2,288
- General fee per credit: 16 credits x $72 = $1,152
- Lab fee per lab class: 3 x $80 = $240
- Uniform: $130
- Tool kit: $261
- Estimated textbooks: $600
- Total: $4,671
Out-of-County
- Out-of-county credit rate: 16 credits x $280 = $4,480
- General fee per credit: 16 credits x $72 = $1,152
- Lab fee per lab class: 3 x $80 = $240
- Uniform: $130
- Tool kit: $261
- Estimated textbooks: $600
- Capital fee per credit: 16 credits x $6 = $96
- Total: $6,959
Program Outcomes and Success Measures
Pastry Arts, AAS (Apprenticeship & Non)
- Student graduation rate: 62%
- Student job placement rate: 100%
- Students eligible to obtain ACF certification by graduation: 25
Pastry Arts, AAS (Apprenticeship & Non)
- Student graduation rate: 46%
- Student job placement rate: 100%
- Students eligible to obtain ACF certification by graduation: 5