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Online Distilled Spirits Business Certificate

Online learning video - 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

How Much Will I Pay?

Tuition & Aid    

This certificate does not qualify for Title IV federal financial aid. Tuition rate does not include costs associated with a specific course or program, such as textbooks


Does your employer offer tuition reimbursement?

Download a sample email template as a starting point for making a request. Sample Tuition Request Message [PDF]

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.


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100% ONLINE COURSES

No matter where you are in the world, learn from the masters of the U.S. distilled spirits industry.

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6 PROGRAM COURSES

The certificate program is made up of only 6 courses (9 credit hours).

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5 WEEK TERMS

Each course is completed in just 5 weeks. Take 1 or 2 courses at a time.

Outcomes

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.


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

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*
  • Official transcript(s) certifying the undergraduate degree
  • Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale)

Note: GMAT/GRE scores are not required for admission.

Send all materials to:
Graduate Admissions
University of Louisville
2211 S. Brook Street
Louisville, KY 40292
gradadm@louisville.edu

* See the UofL Transfer Credit Policy for more information.


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The online Distilled Spirits Business Certificate consists of 6 courses (9 hours), delivered in 5-week terms. Courses are offered each fall and spring semester. Courses do not follow a specific sequence, and can be taken in any order.


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

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Course Descriptions


    FEATURED FACULTY



    FEATURED CORPORATE FELLOWS





      • What experience do I need to start this program?

        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.

      • 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.

      • 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.

      • 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.

      • 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.

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