Craft Brewing Certificate for Graduate Students

Certificate code: CTASBG

Faculty Contact: Dr. Michael Held

Certificate Overview

This specialized, multi-disciplinary certificate aims to provide students with fundamental principles and concepts of biochemistry, microbiology, and engineering, as well as entrepreneurial aspects and small business ownership, all through the lens of craft brewing. Students from diverse educational backgrounds work together in a student-centered, project-based environment and gain valuable hands-on experience through local internships. The certificate can be completed in 3 semesters, normally taking 1 course per semester.

Certificate Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the certificate, students will be able to:

1. integrate knowledge across multiple scientific disciplines, including chemistry, biochemistry, plant biology, and microbiology for professional beer brewing;
2. design and develop new beer recipes for future product development;
3. evaluate and implement various marketing strategies which can be applied broadly, not only to beer brewing;
4. design, evaluate, and implement the process of business planning;
5. apply academic knowledge to solve real world problems in a professional setting.

Opportunities upon Completion

Craft brewing is an excellent and locally relevant model. Ohio is home to ~290 craft breweries and is ranked 4th in the US in total craft beer production volume. It is estimated that craft breweries in the state of Ohio provide an economic impact of $2.7 bill (roughly 10% of the national value). (https://www.brewersassociation.org/statistics-and-data/state-craft-beer-stats/?state=OH ). Small, independent craft breweries are significant job creators, and economic contributors, especially at the local level, including Appalachia. This certificate broadens students’ professional skillsets (e.g. business-minded scientists, scientifically literate businessmen and women), whether it be in craft brewing or other industry.

Admission Requirements

Must be at least 21 years of age for enrollment. No other additional requirements beyond university graduate admission requirements.

International Students: This certificate program alone does not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this certificate. However, this certificate can be completed along with an Athens campus degree program, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to that degree program.

Completion Requirements

Complete 9 credit hours as follows:

Core Brewing Courses

Complete both courses for a total of 6 credit hours.

• CAS 5413 - The Art of Craft Brewing: The Athens Case Study
• CHEM 5500 - Fundamentals of Brewing Science

Experiential/Internship Courses

Complete one of the following courses for a minimum of 3 credit hours.

• MGT 5070 - Managing Innovation and Corporate Entrepreneurship
• MGT 5071 - Ideation, Concept Development and Business Models
• MGT 5072 - New Venture Creation
• CHEM 5911 - Chemistry Internship
• BIOS 6900 - Special Topics in Biological Systems