Online Certificate in Distilled Spirits
Blending an industry born of tradition with a university that fosters innovation. There is no better university to learn the business of the distilled spirits industry than from one in its epicenter.
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The Online Certificate in Distilled Spirits 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.
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.
Academic Year Tuition
$800 per credit hour
$600 per credit hour active-duty rate
This program is NOT a Title IV federal financial aid eligible program. Tuition rate does not include costs associated with a specific course or program, such as textbooks. Tuition, fees and charges are subject to change and effective on the date enacted.
For additional information on educational expenses and the Cost of Attendance, please visit the Student Financial Aid Office website.
Be aware! Other fees apply – please check our tuition page for all applicable costs.
Tuition, Fees & Aid
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Distilled Spirits Business Certificate 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.
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 us.
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.
- 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 |
Course Descriptions
SPIR 610 Distilled Spirits Industry Overview & Regulatory Issues
Students will be introduced to an overview of the distilled spirits industry, covering industry outlook, economic impact and key historical development. Students also will learn about key regulatory agencies and the regulations governing the industry, including spirits formulary, permits, labeling, advertising and trademark.
SPIR 620 Distilled Spirits Finance Fundamentals
Students will be exposed to the finance fundamentals of the distilled spirits industry. They will learn how to project sales (including volume and pricing, distributor incentives and marketing and promotion budgets). The course will also cover competitor price analysis, working capital, costs of production and simple tax calculations.
SPIR 630 Distilled Spirits Operations & Supply Chain
Students will get an overview of the operations functions of the distilled spirits industry. They will be exposed to and apply critical elements of planning, sourcing, producing and distributing spirits.
SPIR 640 Sustainability in the Distilled Spirits Industry
Students will learn about the broad array of sustainability issues in the distilled spirits industry and how they are essential to corporate social responsibility initiatives. Key topics include water, grain sources, barrel use (including forestry), energy, spent grains and emissions.
SPIR 650 Spirit Brand Marketing
Students will be introduced to and apply marketing principles driving the creation of a brand. Special attention will be paid to product differentiation, on-premise and off-premise markets and responsible marketing.
SPIR 660 Three-Tier System of Alcohol Distribution
Students will get a broad overview of how the three-tier system operates as the route to market. Special attention will be focused on the distributor, which is the critical link between suppliers and consumer.
Did you Know?
Online Courses
Program Courses
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Distilled Spirits Business Certificate FAQ
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, please connect with our graduate enrollment team.
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.
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.
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 toward the MBA degree.
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.