The New England Culinary Institute (NECI) is a private for-profit career-oriented culinary institution of higher learning located in Montepelier, Vermont. Its mission is to become a known leader in providing standards-based, practical education for the food and beverage industry. It is committed to providing high quality, career-focused, and student-centered academic programs in culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, and hospitality and restaurant management. It is committed to providing high quality, career-focused, and student-centered academic programs in culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, and hospitality and restaurant management. Its values include commitment, positive attitude, dedication, teamwork, integrity, flexibility, loyalty, passion, and service excellence. Its curriculum is based on practical learning experiences and students are immersed in real kitchen situations. The New England Culinary Institute features a variety of learning methodologies that enable students to develop a wide range of abilities to help them adjust to diverse careers in the food and beverage industry. It is committed to providing small classes that promote active learning and personal attention. It is also dedicated to employing faculty who are highly skilled professionals and helpful teachers. The institute consistently seeks out talented chefs and other restaurant professionals with an interest and talent for teaching. Instructors assist students with mastering specific abilities to success in the industry and measure student performance in various areas specific to individual programs. In all programs, professionalism, management, organization, and teamwork skills are assessed.
The New England Culinary Institute offers an entirely online bachelor’s degree in hospitality and restaurant management. The program allows busy students to complete their education while maintaining jobs or other obligations. The program is about 72 weeks in length and takes about 24 months to complete. Students complete one course at a time, two courses every semester. The program starts six times every year, two during each semester. The program provides instruction on a variety of topics such as financial management in the hospitality industry, ethical and legal issues, marketing theory and research, restaurant operations management, human resources in the food industry, beverage management, strategic restaurant planning, and critical issues in leadership. To be qualified for admission, students must have 60 qualifying credits from an accredited institution of higher learning and relevant or current experience in the food service or hospitality industry. The online courses in the program have been specifically designed for e-learning delivery and maintain the same high standards as campus-based programs at NECI. The online learning portal uses high quality multimedia to provide the best possible learning experience. It enables students to access course information, post assignments, take quizzes, view grades, and communicate with instructors and fellow classmates. The online programs are committed to promoting student success and online faculty members are dedicated to responding to questions within 24 hours and returning assignments with feedback within 48 hours.
Fran Voigt and John Dranow founded the New England Culinary Institute in 1980 and its first graduating class had just 7 students. In 1994, NECI began offering a bachelor’s degree program in hospitality and restaurant management to meet the need for versatile food service professionals. The professional cooking program was established in 1995. An associate degree program in hospitality and restaurant management was created in 2002. In 2006, the completely online version of the hospitality and restaurant management bachelor’s degree program was launched. Throughout its history the New England Culinary Institute has graduated almost 4,000 students.
Accreditation
The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges accredits the New England Culinary Institute.
Scholarships Offered
The New England Culinary Institute offers numerous grants and scholarships including the Academic Excellence Scholarship, Culinary Excellence Scholarship, New Endeavors Scholarship, Life Long Learner Scholarship, Professional Organization Scholarship, Phillip S. Cooke Industry Professional Scholarship, Next Generation Scholarship, Early Commitment Scholarship, Vermont Culinary Preparatory Scholarship, New York ProStart Quick Fire Scholarship, and NECI Grant and NECI Vermonter Grant. The institute also encourages students to apply for outside scholarship opportunities.
Financing Options
The New England Culinary Institute participates in a variety of financial aid programs such as the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work Study, Federal Direct Stafford Subsidized Loan, Federal Direct Stafford Unsubsidized Loan, and Federal Parent PLUS Loan. It also accepts state grants and alternative loans. NECI also offers an interest-free tuition payment plan.
Credit Earning Options
The New England Culinary Institute grants transfer credit for courses completed at other accredited postsecondary institutions. All transfer courses must have a grade of a C or better and completed within the last 10 years prior to enrollment. Students may also receive credit for examinations such as the College Level Examination Program and Assessment of Prior learning. The Assessment of Prior Learning involves compiling a portfolio that documents learning experiences from work, training, or other activities. Student can receive up to 15 percent of the total credits of a particular program through prior learning experiences. Students are able to receive up to 50 percent of the total credits required for a specific program for all types of transfer credit. Transfer students are required to submit official transcripts.