Graduate Certificate:
Brewing Science & Operations

Application Procedure

Interested students are strongly encouraged to contact the Program Director, Dr. Martin O’Neill who is the Horst Schulze Endowed Professor and Head of the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Hospitality Management. Dr. O’Neill can be reached at moneill@auburn.edu.

Below is the information you will need to complete your initial application to the Graduate Certificate Program

• All interested candidates must apply as a non-degree seeking graduate student through the Graduate School. The online application form can be accessed here.


• Attached to this application you must provide the following:


• Your official Four Year Degree Undergraduate Transcripts showing Grade Point Average. This can be ordered online and sent directly to the graduate school or Dr. O’Neill via email.


• Three letters of recommendation from references who are familiar with your work ethic, interest in brewing, and ability to be successful in a graduate program. At least one of these references must be academic in nature (e.g., professor, administrator).


• A personal statement expressing your reasons for pursuing the Graduate Certificate Program in Brewing Science and Operations – 1500 words max.


• A Statement of Accomplishments and Qualifications describing the features of your background that prepare you for graduate study in Brewing Science (e.g., education, previous employment, honors and awards. This can take the form of your most recent and up to date resume.


• TOEFL scores (international students only). A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper test) or 213 (computerized) or 79 (internet-based test) plus a minimum of 16 on the listening, reading, speaking, and writing components is required to be considered for admission.)

The application process opens February 1 each year and closes when all available slots have been filled. The review process will begin early March with a view to notifying successful applicants by mid-March. Because enrollment is limited to 20 students each year, early application is encouraged. Early applicants will be given preference over later applications. Late applicants may be considered if available positions are not filled. Degree seeking students who plan to add a graduate certificate to their current degree program do not need to apply for admission to the graduate certificate program but must notify the Program Director of their intent to pursue the graduate certificate before completion of their degree program.

Fees/Withdrawals/Refunds

The cost of the program is $18,000. The program will cost $920 per enrolled credit hour, plus a distance education fee of $80 per credit hour. Additionally students must pay the normal Auburn University Graduate Application fee ($60 in the U.S. and $70 for International applicants). Course fees are assessed on a semester-to-semester basis and if not paid by the due date, will lead to a hold being placed on your registration. This hold will prevent you from taking any further classes until lifted. Please note that fees are subject to change. Normal university deadlines and requirements apply with respect to course/program withdrawal. No refunds will be granted beyond the publicized deadline.

IBD General Certificate in Brewing

Upon successful completion of the program, Auburn students will be eligible to sit for the Institute of Brewing and Distilling’s (IBD) General Certificate / Diploma of Brewing examinations. The IBD have reviewed the program proposal and developed a memorandum of understanding that clarifies this fact. In essence Auburn has been approved as a testing center for the IBD.

The General Certificate is the first stage in a sequence of courses leading ultimately to Master Brewer Certification and provides international recognition of a basic, underpinning knowledge and understanding in the principles of brewing operations.

The General Certificate in Brewing has been designed for candidates who may have little or no formal academic or technical qualification. Typically a candidate will be employed as a senior operator or team leader in a brewery or packaging plant, however the scope of these examinations will enable candidates from smaller brewing operations to obtain this recognized qualification. This examination is open to anybody with interest in brewing or beer packaging. They are a measure of basic knowledge (theoretical and practical) underpinning brewing, packaging and associated operations. More information can be found at the following url: http://www.ibd.org.uk/