Focusing health care on lifestyle and nutrition is critical to reducing the burden of chronic disease and healthcare costs. The goal of empowering individuals and families to eat healthier is far less costly than the medications and invasive procedures needed to manage chronic disease.
Culinary Medicine is a growing field that blends the art of preparing and presenting food with the science of medicine to target disease processes or overall health. The emphasis is on hands-on participation, including meal preparation and cooking skills, in a kitchen setting while discussing ingredients related to health.
It is a form of preventative medicine or management of various diseases. The program considers food access, environment, and individual and cultural preferences while providing social support, meal preparation, and health literacy.
Culinary Medicine is available as a concentration in the Culinary Arts Associate of Applied Science degree or as a Technical Diploma.
Culinary Medicine coursework is offered online with in-person teaching kitchens at SOWELA's Main Campus in Lake Charles and at Fort Polk.
Culinarians and healthcare professionals can also take modules for continuing education units (CEUs). These CEUs are available through an agreement with the Culinary Medicine Specialist Board.
| Course No. | Course Title | Lecture | Lab | Total Credit Hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||||
| CULN 1103 | Basic Skills Development | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| CULN 1172 | Essentials of Dining Room Service | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| CULN 1133 | Sanitation and Safety | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| CULN 1506 | Introduction to Culinary Principles | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 15 | ||||
| Semester 2 | ||||
| CULN 1223 | Nutrition | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Concentration Course | 3 | |||
| Concentration Course | 3 | |||
| Concentration Course | 3 | |||
| General Education Course | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| 15 | ||||
| Semester 3 | ||||
| Concentration Course | 3 | |||
| Concentration Course | 3 | |||
| Concentration Course | 3 | |||
| General Education Course | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| 15 | ||||
| Semester 4 | ||||
| Concentration Course | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Concentration Course | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Concentration Course | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| AAS – Culinary Arts (60 Credit hours) | 15 | |||
| Total Clock Hours | 1260-1440 | |||
| Course No. | Course Title | Lecture | Lab | Total Credit Hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CULN 2111 | Culinary Medicine I | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| CULN 2121 | Culinary Medicine II | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| CULN 2131 | Culinary Medicine III | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| CULN 2141 | Culinary Medicine IV | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| CULN 2151 | Culinary Medicine V | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| CULN 2161 | Culinary Medicine VI | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| CULN 2171 | Culinary Medicine VII | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| CULN 2181 | Culinary Medicine VIII | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| CULN 2223 | Nutrition and Diet Therapy | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Course No. | Course Title | Lecture | Lab | Total Credit Hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CULN 1103 | Basic Skills Development | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| CULN 1172 | Essentials of Dining Room Service | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| CULN 1133 | Sanitation and Safety | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| CULN 1506 | Introduction to Culinary Principles | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| CTC – Entry Level Cook (15) | 15 | |||
| CULN 1223 | Nutrition | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| CTS – Entry Level Prep Cook (18) | 3 | |||
| CULN 2111 | Culinary Medicine I | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| CULN 2121 | Culinary Medicine II | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| CULN 2131 | Culinary Medicine III | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| CULN 2141 | Culinary Medicine IV | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| CULN 2151 | Culinary Medicine V | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| CULN 2161 | Culinary Medicine VI | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| CULN 2171 | Culinary Medicine VII | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| CULN 2181 | Culinary Medicine VIII | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| CULN 2223 | Nutrition and Diet Therapy | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| TD – Culinary Medicine (45) | 27 | |||
| Total Clock Hours | 1215 |
CIP Code: 120503
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Program Length: 60 Semester Credit Hours
The program has met approval from the following:
Jerry Sonnier
Program Coordinator
Ellen Carlile
Support Coordinator
