Campus Lifestyle

CIA students spend over 1,300 hours in the kitchen or bakeshop and come not only to understand food, but also to understand the business of food. Every day students are on campus and attending the classes. They are receiving the world's best professional culinary education in an ideal environment for culinary learning, in their hands-on cooking and baking courses. Students learn how to manage people, control costs, make financial projections, market restaurant concepts, and more. All while developing a broad base of knowledge, a confidence in their skills, and the fluency to move successfully into the career that will suit their personal passion.

In order to provide an atmosphere where students can grow both personally and professionally, the CIA offers four coed residence halls and six Adirondack-style lodges; a wide range of services, clubs, intramural sports programs, extracurricular activities, recreational facilities; and on-campus events such as movies, parties, casino nights, live music, entertainment, dances, and stand-up comedy. And the CIA has events you won't find elsewhere, such as celebrity cooking demos and industry-sponsored recipe contests. There are also Student Activities-sponsored trips to nearby destinations like New York City, Boston, outlet malls, ski resorts, Minnewaska State Park, and New York metropolitan-area sporting events. For people who love food and cooking, there's simply no other place like it in the world.

At the CIA, the Externship Program is also an integral part of the educational program and it significantly impacts the career development of each student. Students, in both the bachelor's and associate degree programs, will sharpen skills and make valuable industry contacts during an 18-week paid externship at one of more than 1,700 CIA-approved establishments around the world.

And yes, in addition to the classroom and campus activities, students are studying too! The CIA's Conrad Hilton Library houses and outstanding collection of more than 74,000 volumes, 3,500 videos and DVDs, and 270 current periodical titles. Although there is a strong specialization in the culinary field, the collection has a growing liberal arts listing supporting the college's ever expanding educational programs. The library also maintains the CIA's archives and special collections of menus, rare books, and videotapes.

Safety & Security:
A Commitment to Your Safety

CIA Campus Safety Mission Statement: We support the Institute in the protection of life and property.

A Team Effort
At The Culinary Institute of America, we recognize that ensuring a safe campus for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors is of paramount importance. The entire CIA community is involved in fostering an environment where everyone can feel secure. Many of the steps we take to educate and involve people in this collaborative effort are detailed in this brochure. Our safety officers maintain a 24-hour presence on campus; we're here to help, at any time. We in turn ask you to remember that campus safety is everyone's responsibility. Together we can continue to make The Culinary Institute of America a wonderful place to work, live, and learn.

Rich Cullen
Director of Campus Safety

• Safety & Security Brochure (PDF 2.33 MB)