{"id":68349,"date":"2016-09-26T18:24:21","date_gmt":"2016-09-26T18:24:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2016\/09\/26\/we-asked-6-colleges-to-pitch-their-beer-industry-programs-to-veterans\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T07:37:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T07:37:51","slug":"we-asked-6-colleges-to-pitch-their-beer-industry-programs-to-veterans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/education-transition\/2016\/09\/26\/we-asked-6-colleges-to-pitch-their-beer-industry-programs-to-veterans\/","title":{"rendered":"We asked 6 colleges to pitch their beer industry programs to veterans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Few industries are expanding as ra<\/span>pidly as that of beer brewing and selling. New microbreweries are opening weekly in the U.S., and the creative brews many of these small-batch joints are serving up are dinging the kegs of corporate beer behemoths.<\/span>It\u2019s one thing to crank out a decent batch of suds in your kitchen sink and another to scale your beer vision upward to create and sustain something commercial. Knowledge and skills in areas such as quality control, <\/span>chemistry, sales and distribution, equipment management, retail and hospitality all go into operating a craft brewery.\u00a0Many universities and private institutes are rapidly working to meet that need for skilled brewmasters and microbrewery managers. Here are examples of the range of programs and what you\u2019ll take away:AUBURN UNIVERSITY<\/a>,\u00a0<\/b><\/span>Alabama (online program)<\/b><\/span> Overview: <\/b><\/span>Auburn is in its third year of offering a graduate certificate in Brewing Science and Operations. Managed through the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Hospitality Management, the brewing coursework emphasizes biology, microbiology, chemistry, brewing science, agronomy, facilities and operations, and business planning.<\/span> Unlike many of the institutions offering brewing certificates, Auburn\u2019s program is all distance learning. Students must attend at least one residency weekend during the program at Oskar Blues Brewery, founded by Auburn alum Dale Katechis, at either the Brevard, North Carolina, or Longmont, Colorado, locations. The practicum can be in a student\u2019s immediate locale. Program graduates are eligible to sit for the prestigious Institute of Brewing and Distilling\u2019s General Certificate\/Diploma of Brewing examinations. The program consists of 18 credit hours. Courses include The Business of Brewing, Brewing Science 1 and 2, Facilities and Operations Management, and the Practicum in Brewing Science.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Requirements:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A personal statement (application letter, maximum of 1,500 words) expressing your reasons for pursuing the graduate certificate in Brewing Science and Operations; a statement describing the accomplishments and qualifications that prepare you for graduate study in brewing science, such as education, previous employment, honors and awards; and three letters of recommendation from references familiar with your work ethic, interest in brewing and ability to succeed in a graduate program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost and financial aid:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program costs $18,000. This covers all course materials but doesn\u2019t include personal travel to and from the practicum residency. This breaks out to $920 per credit hour, plus a distance education fee of $80 per credit hour. Students must also pay the Auburn University Graduate Application fee ($60 for U.S., $70 for international applicants). According to Auburn, this program has been approved for Veterans Affairs education benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pitch:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program is directed by Martin O\u2019Neill, Ph. D, who also directs the Nutrition, Dietetics and Hospitality Management program. He said the goal is to limit the course to 15 students annually, but this year Auburn has enrolled 18 due to the quality of applicants. Beyond the stated eligibility for VA benefits, O\u2019Neill also said the institution offers a scholarship through Sweetwater Brewing in Atlanta for wounded warriors. Graduates have gone on to open successful breweries, including Singin\u2019 River in Florence, Alabama, and Omaha Brewing, Heist Brewing and Red Clay Brewing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

O\u2019Neill said veterans should look at Auburn\u2019s program because it\u2019s targeted at new business startups, is offered via distance education \u2014 the first of its kind \u2014 and is partnered with “one of the industry\u2019s best, Oskar Blues.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We were developed based upon sound market research. We are highly relevant as focused on the world of craft, and graduates are eligible to sit for their professional exams with the Institute of Brewing and Distilling in London \u2014 they have vetted our program,” O\u2019Neill said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Metropolitan State University of Denver professor \u2014 and Army retiree \u2014 Michael Wray teaches Beers of the World.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo Credit: Jessica Taves for MSU Denver<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER<\/a>,\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colorado<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/b>MSU Denver is stepping off smartly with its brewing program, offering multiple degree and non-degree options. The beer industry majors offered through the independent degree program include Brewery Operations and Brewpub Operations. MSU Denver also offers a brewing minor\/certificate program. Courses are taken within the school’s Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program supports students pursuing their first degree, those wanting to enhance a prior degree, or those seeking professional or personal development in the field. An industry advisory council advises on curriculum. The program features a mix of classroom and practical brewing experience, partnering with the Tivoli Brewing Co., housed in the campus student union. Students gain experience in the company\u2019s brewing, bottling and distribution center with the capacity of 28,000 barrels a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coursework depends on program type and may include chemistry, biology, business, management, marketing and economics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Requirements:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/b>Apply online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost and financial aid:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MSU Denver\u2019s 2016-17 tuition and fees per semester for 12 or more credit hours comes to $3,464 with the state\u2019s College Opportunity Fund stipend, available for a resident\u2019s first academic degree; and $10,048 for non-residents. MSU Denver\u2019s Veteran and Military Student Services assists veterans and current military members with a veteran-specific new student orientation program; and a Veterans Upward Bound program and a Veterans Education Benefits Office, which serves as liaison with the Department of Veterans Affairs, are also available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pitch: <\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Program director Scott Kerkmans says the new MSU Denver brewing school hopes to become a nationwide center for brewing education. To date, 35 full-time students are majoring in Brewery Operations or Brewpub Operations, and average student age is 27. Early graduates immediately moved into employment, including positions as head brewer and quality assurance chief. Classes are currently held on campus in downtown Denver, but Kerkmans said the university wants to offer condensed and online courses for some future programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Luckily, we have over 300 breweries in the state, so there are a lot of opportunities here once students do graduate,” he said. “Aside from our excellent track record of working with veterans, we are also the only brewing program in the country that isn\u2019t solely a science program. Every other brewery or beer-related degree is over 90 percent biology and chemistry. While those topics are certainly important, we also work closely with our engineering school, hospitality department and business school to make sure that when our brewing students graduate, they can choose the path they want to go down. From brewery marketing to opening up your own brewery with a restaurant, we\u2019ll have you covered,” Kerkmans said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kerkmans said MSU Denver recognizes that many veterans are also working, at least part time, while going to school. “They should know that in the MSU Denver brewing program, we don\u2019t send students through in one big group. Once accepted to MSU Denver, they can declare their major as Brewery Operations and be ready to start taking brewing classes immediately. They don\u2019t have to be accepted separately to the brewing program, and they can keep working or living their lives as they need to and schedule their classes around their work, not the other way around.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

REGIS UNIVERSITY<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

, Colorado<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/b>Regis University, also in Denver, offers a certificate in Applied Craft Brewing. The program is hands-on with support from local brewers who serve on the Professional Brewing Advisory Board. Skills learned help graduates become master brewers or certified beer judges, or to improve home-brewing skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program includes four 8-week evening courses and a 16-week independent internship administered online. It can be completed in a year, with most students finishing in eight months. Classroom work includes some laboratory and brewing site-visit activities. A new group of students starts once a year in August. The program began in 2014. Two classes have graduated. Most of the instructors are professionals working in the brewing industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required course topics (total of 16 semester hours) include Biology of Brewing, Chemistry of Brewing, Business of Craft Brewing, and a supervised Brewing Practicum at a brewery or brewing-related internship site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Regis University’s certificate in Applied Craft Brewing can be finished in a year.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo Credit: Regis University<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Requirements:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Must be 21 years of age by the start of the first program course. Prerequisites include a bachelor\u2019s degree or completion of the following courses: one semester of college-level biology or a passing score on a biology College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam; one semester of college-level chemistry or a passing score on a chemistry CLEP exam; one semester of college-level mathematics or a passing score on a college mathematics CLEP exam; or a passing score on the Regis Applied Brewing Mathematics Placement Exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost and financial aid:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

$50 application fee and $350 deposit for admitted students. Deposit is applied to tuition. Tuition is $485 per semester hour, with a total cost of $7,760 for all 16 semester hours (based on the current tuition rate). Admitted students are eligible to apply for financial aid. Sources state that Veterans Affairs aid for such certificates can be very difficult to obtain, but that it\u2019s worth applying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pitch:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The courses require laboratory work at Regis, but the internship part of the program can be completed anywhere. Program director Allison Peters said interns have traveled as far as Idaho and Wyoming to complete internship hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Our program is unique in that the students move through all the courses as a cohort, meaning they\u2019ll develop strong relationships with their classmates and instructors while meeting other professionals in the industry. Also, all of our courses take place in the evenings, making it possible for students with full-time \u2018day jobs\u2019 who want to gain a deeper understanding of the brewing industry from brewing to distribution to marketing,” Peters said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SEIBEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY<\/a>,\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illinois<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0<\/b> Located in Chicago, the Seibel Institute is well known for producing skilled brewmasters who go on to work for or open breweries. The institute offers certification via multiple courses of instruction. Among them is the two-week Concise Course in Brewing Technology, designed for entry-level preparation and offered via distance education or on the Chicago campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 20-week Master Brewer Program is designed to prepare graduates to advance their commercial brewing careers. It\u2019s divided into 1- to 8-week modules. Each module covers a particular area of brewing technology and addresses issues in brewing from an international perspective. It begins with seven weeks of brewing theory and business training at the Chicago campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afterward, students travel to Doemens Academy in Munich, Germany, for three weeks of study in a practical brewing environment. Students also take part in advanced-level brewing theory training while at Doemens, including techniques used in creating German beer styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next up is the European Study Tour of breweries and industry suppliers. The program wraps up back at Doemens Academy for eight weeks of advanced-level practice dealing in beer production, packaging operations, laboratory work and other areas critical to brewery operations of all sizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Requirements: <\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All students must be at least 21 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost and financial aid:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Concise Course in Brewing Technology costs about $3,800 in residence or online. The Master Brewer Program costs about $28,000 total. According to Keith Lemcke, Seibel Institute vice president, courses do not qualify for Veterans Affairs programs such as the Post-9\/11 G.I. Bill but Siebel Institute is recognized by the VA\u2019s Vocational Rehabilitation program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pitch:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lemcke said the institute\u2019s 12-week diploma program has been offered since 1900. The 20-week Master Brewer Program began in 2010. Including online and campus courses, between 600 and 700 students attend annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We offer the only two-continent brewing program in the world, letting students experience brewing technology from an American and German perspective. They are quite different from each other, I assure you!” Lemcke said. “As well, our Diploma and Master Brewer programs allow students to complete their studies in less than a year, whereas other programs are a minimum of one to two years. Given the current state of brewing, especially craft brewing, the sooner you can enter the marketplace, the better,” he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lemcke said mastering the brewing craft requires a lifelong commitment to learning. “Commercial-level brewing draws a little from a lot of different scientific disciplines, and it takes a long time to be truly considered a \u2018brewmaster\u2019 as there are simply so many things to learn.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO EXTENSION<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/b>This is a part-time, evening and weekend program in residence to earn the UC San Diego Extension Professional Certificate in Brewing. First offered in 2013, the program is designed to “provide fundamental brewing skills for an entry-level position in a craft brewery,” according to its website. San Diego is a major center for craft brewing, with more than 100 local breweries. Some of the practical training takes place in brewery settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some 240 students are active in the program, which is taught by professional brewers and industry experts. The certificate can be completed in 18-24 months. Students schedule as many or as few classes as fit their schedule<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The brewing certificate curriculum provides students with the technical skill and knowledge to select raw materials, produce wort, manage yeast and fermentation processes, and finish and package the product. The business curriculum provides graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to administer all financial and managerial operations of a brewery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three-part course of instruction includes multiple credit blocks in Science and Technology of Brewing, Business of Brewing, and an internship. Two units of electives are also required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Requirements<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All students must be at least 21 years old. For acceptance to the Professional Certificate in Brewing, and to any of the required courses for the certificate, students must show adequate preparation in pre-calculus, the most advanced mathematics course before a calculus course may be taken; and relevant preparation in at least two of the following four areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n