Restaurant managers oversee the day-to-day tasks of a food service establishment, including staffing, inventory, food preparation and customer service. Read on to learn about the curriculum of an associate's degree program in restaurant management.
What Courses Will I Take in a Restaurant Management Associate's Degree Program?
Associate's degree options in restaurant management include Associate in Science in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management, Associate in Applied Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management. While some schools offer this degree through distance learning, online programs are uncommon.
The curriculum typically includes courses in sanitation and business practices related to culinary arts in restaurants. You also learn about dining room operations, beverage service, basic food preparation, nutrition, food cost control and large quantity preparation. You may also take classes in psychology, computer applications, math and writing. If you're enrolled in an online program or course, the exchange of course materials and assignments typically takes place via the Web, either by e-mail or an electronic course management system.
As a member of the culinary arts field, your knowledge of restaurant accounting, nutrition, sanitation, food service and cost control gained through class work may be supplemented through internships and other hands-on opportunities in restaurants and other food service settings.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td> Nutrition, psychology, food preparation, mathematics, computer applications</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Potential Work Environments</b></td><td> Institutional food supplier, fast food eatery, independent restaurant, hotel food service department, chain restaurant</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Certification Requirements</b></td><td> Voluntary; Foodservice Management Professional (FMP) certification is offered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation</td></tr>
<tr><td><b> Median Salary (2020)</b> </td><td> $56,590 (<i>for all food sevice managers</i>) </td></tr>
<tr><td><b> Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 1% growth (<i>for all food sevice managers</i>) </td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCanIDoWithAnAssociateSDegree">What Can I Do With an Associate's Degree?</h3><p>Earning an associate's degree in restaurant management may qualify you for a job at independent restaurants, chain restaurants, fast food eateries, hotel food service departments and institutional food suppliers. You could find yourself as part of a management team or someday owning your own restaurant. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), many employers hiring for restaurant manager jobs prefer candidates with some postsecondary education and a 2-year associate's program in hospitality or restaurant management would prepare you adequately (<i>www.bls.gov</i>).
</p><p>Many of a restaurant manager's duties include business tasks, such as hiring, training and developing staff, managing work flow in the kitchen and on the floor, ensuring adherence to safety, sanitation and liquor laws, maintaining inventory and keeping the books.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatOtherCredentialsDoINeed">What Other Credentials Do I Need?</h3><p>According to the BLS, there aren't any required certifications or other credentials for restaurant managers. You could voluntarily earn Foodservice Management Professional (FMP) certification through the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. The requirements include specialized training, 2-3 years of work experience and a two-part FMP exam.</p>
