You don’t need any professional experience to begin this program, but admission to the program does require the completion of at least a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited four-year university or college. For more information about applying, you can visit our Apply tab, or you can connect with one of our Online Learning Enrollment Counselors by email at online@louisville.edu or by calling 800.871.8635.
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Cameron Murray-Hicks
Online Enrollment Counselor
Online Distilled Spirits Business Certificate
The online Distilled Spirits Business Certificate is designed for current or future distilled spirits professionals who want to gain broad-based knowledge about business operations within the industry.
Offered by the College of Business, the online UofL Distilled Spirits Business Certificate* blends an industry born of tradition with a university that fosters innovation. Louisville and the surrounding region are home to many of the most storied companies and most innovative start-ups in the U.S. distilled spirits industry. There is no better place to learn the business of the distilled spirits industry than from a university located in its epicenter.
Developed in partnership with industry experts, we offer a one-of-a-kind curriculum that features the most relevant knowledge, skills, and awareness for accelerating your success in the booming distilled spirits industry. The program is co-taught by College of Business faculty and industry leaders from renowned companies like Brown-Forman, Jack Daniels, and more.
*Bachelor’s degree required
Academic Year Tuition
Does your employer offer tuition reimbursement?
Download a sample email template as a starting point for making a request. Sample Tuition Request Message [PDF]
Distilled Spirits Business Certificate Highlights
- Learn how different functions such as finance, marketing, and operations work interdependently.
- Get an insider's view of the industry from guest speakers and corporate fellows embedded in every course.
- Connect and network with other professionals across the industry.
- Learn at the speed of your life—100% online format gives you access anywhere, anytime, and on any device.
- Get a jump start on your MBA—credits earned in the certificate program apply to completion of your UofL MBA, offered online and on-campus (you must apply separately to the MBA).
- Receive a Credly badge upon program completion as a token of your skills and knowledge - add it to your signature, communications, social media, resume or personal branding materials.
START YOUR APPLICATION REQUEST INFORMATION
100% ONLINE COURSES
No matter where you are in the world, learn from the masters of the U.S. distilled spirits industry.
Learn More
6 PROGRAM COURSES
The certificate program is made up of only 6 courses (9 credit hours).
Learn More
5 WEEK TERMS
Each course is completed in just 5 weeks. Take 1 or 2 courses at a time.
Learn MoreOutcomes
The distilled spirits industry has been rapidly growing for more than a decade. In Kentucky alone, the industry is responsible annually for $8.5 billion of economic output, between 15,000 and 17,500 jobs, and $800 million in payroll (Kelly, Kornstein, & Marshall, 2017).
Based on previous education and professional experience, graduates would be well suited for any number of professional positions in business operations, including logistics planner, pricing analyst, data analyst, supply chain manager, marketing specialist, social media manager, promotion specialist, sales manager, distribution coordinator, corporate social responsibility manager, visitor center manager, financial operations accountant, tax accountant, brand ambassador, and more.
Distilled Spirits Business Certificate Application Deadlines
| Application Deadline | Term | Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| May 13 | Summer I | May 27 |
| June 17 | Summer II | July 1 |
| August 7 | Fall I | August 21 |
| September 11 | Fall II | September 25 |
| October 16 | Fall III | October 30 |
| December 8 | Spring I | January 8 |
| January 29 | Spring II | February 12 |
| March 4 | Spring III | March 18 |
Admission Requirements and How to Apply
For more information on the admission and application process, please contact our Online Learning Enrollment Counselor at 800.871.8635 or by email at online@louisville.edu.
To enroll in the online Distilled Spirits Business Certificate offered by the College of Business at the University of Louisville, you must apply as a graduate non-degree seeking student and meet the following requirements:
- Completed online application
- $40 application fee
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university*
- Request official transcripts certifying an undergraduate degree earned from an accredited institution.
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Electronic (recommended):
gradadm@louisville.edu -
Physical Mail:
University of Louisville,
Graduate School
2211 S Brook St, Houchens Bldg, Rm 105
Louisville, KY 40292;
-
Electronic (recommended):
- Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
* See the UofL Transfer Credit Policy for more information.
Distilled Spirits Business Certificate Courses
The online Distilled Spirits Business Certificate consists of 6 courses (9 credit hours) offered each fall and spring semester. Courses do not follow a specific sequence, and can be taken in any order. Courses are delivered asynchronously, in 5-week terms.
| Course List | Hours |
|---|---|
| SPIR 610 Distilled Spirits Industry Overview & Regulatory Issues | 1.5 |
| SPIR 620 Distilled Spirits Finance Fundamentals | 1.5 |
| SPIR 630 Distilled Spirits Operations & Supply Chain | 1.5 |
| SPIR 640 Sustainability in the Distilled Spirits Industry | 1.5 |
| SPIR 650 Spirit Brand Marketing | 1.5 |
| SPIR 660 Three-Tier System of Alcohol Distribution | 1.5 |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS | 9 |
START YOUR APPLICATION REQUEST INFORMATION
Course Descriptions
Distilled Spirits Business Certificate FAQ
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What experience do I need to start this program?
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Will this help me network and get a job in the industry?
While you will have the opportunity to network and connect with industry professionals, we cannot guarantee that this will result in a job or employment within the spirit industry. You will develop skills and gain niche experience that will strengthen your resume and application, which can improve your odds of getting a job in the industry.
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Will I learn the distillery process as part of this program?
This degree provides you with business skills that apply to the spirit industry and processes that distilleries utilize but does not necessarily teach you how to distill spirits.
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Can completion of this certificate bring opportunities for entrepreneurship?
The skills you learn in this degree may be applied to entrepreneurial pursuits; however individual results may vary. Students interested in acquiring experience more beneficial to entrepreneurial endeavors are encouraged to explore our 100% online MBA program. Credits earned in this graduate certificate can also count towards the MBA degree.
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I don’t have a bachelor’s degree. Can I still apply for this program?
This program is designed for students who have graduated with a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university. A bachelor's is currently required to apply. For the most up-to-date information, please see our Apply tab, or connect with one of our Online Learning Enrollment Counselors by email at online@louisville.edu or by calling 800.871.8635.
