Course Requirements
The Graduate Certificate Program requires a minimum of 18 semester credit hours to be taken in a prescribed sequence over 3 semesters of study (see below).
- HOSP 7100 (3) The Business of Brewing
- HOSP7110 (3) Brewing Materials
- HOSP 7120 (3) Science of Brewing I
- HOSP 7130 (3) Science of Brewing II
- HOSP 7140 (3) Facilities and Operations Management
- HOSP 7910 (3) Practicum in Brewing Science
Each of the following courses is required for graduation in the sequence set out below:
Fall Semester
HOSP 7110 (3) Brewing Materials
HOSP 7120 (3) Science of Brewing I
Spring Semester
HOSP 7130 (3) Science of Brewing II
HOSP 7140 (3) Facilities and Operations Management
Summer Semester
HOSP 7100 (3) The Business of Brewing
HOSP 7910 (3) Practicum in Brewing Science*
*Please note that you must accumulate the 120 hours of industry experience required to complete the Practicum in Brewing Science course requirement. All 120 hours must be documented, and all practicum course credits can only be awarded upon completion of the summer semester.
Practicum in Brewing Science
The Auburn Creed was written by George Petrie in 1945 and it serves as a guiding statement for Auburn’s faculty and students. The Creed begins by stating “I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.” The Practicum in Brewing Science lives up to this statement by asking students to work hard on a very practical project within a commercial brewery.
The practicum is an opportunity for students to put into action the concepts and processes that they have learned in previous courses. The Program Director works with each student to identify a brewery to serve as the host for the practicum. In close consultation with the brewery staff, the Program Director and the students devise meaningful industrial projects. By working under the mentorship of the brewery staff to complete the projects, students gain valuable “hands-on” experience. Projects are expected to not only serve as learning mechanisms for the students but also be beneficial to the host breweries.
Students must spend a minimum of 120 hours on their practicum.
Industrial Project
All students are required to complete an industrial project over the course of their practicum. This must be agreed to in advanced consultation with the Program Director. The project must be of relevance to the company that the student is completing their practicum hours with and relating to either the science or business aspects of brewing. Students will be required to submit their project report for final grading at least two weeks prior to graduation.
The Distance Learning Experience
This distance education program marries traditional educational approaches with real world applications leading to a state-of-the-art interactive learning experience. To this end, the program has partnered with New Realm Brewing Company and other craft beer industry members to showcase best practices in all aspects of the brewing industry. The distance learning approach combines synchronous and asynchronous delivery mechanisms to highlight the best industry methods and practice. The online learning environment will afford the student seamless transition from classroom-based instruction to in-the-field application making for a much more rewarding and beneficial learning experience. Additionally, each faculty member will be available weekly for one-to-one interaction and study advice and students will participate in online group discussions with peers as they progress through the program.
Course Requirements
Students interested in progressing to the Master of Science Program are required to complete an additional 15 semester credit hours to be taken in a prescribed sequence across over 3 additional semesters of study (see below). Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA from the Graduate Certificate Program to be considered.
- HOSP 7150 (3) Brewing Microbiology
- HOSP 7160 (3) Applied Engineering in Brewing
- HOSP 7170 (3) Beer Distribution Systems
- HOSP 7180 (3) Quality Management and Brewing Analytics
- HOSP 7980 (3) Non-thesis Research
Each of the following courses is required for graduation in the sequence set out below:
Fall Semester
HOSP 7150 (3) Brewing Microbiology
HOSP 7160 (3) Applied Engineering in Brewing
Spring Semester
HOSP 7170 (3) Beer Distribution Systems
HOSP 7180 (3) Quality Management and Brewing Analytics
Summer Semester
HOSP 7980 (3) Non-thesis Research *
*Please note that you must identify a major professor to oversee your non-thesis research hours before the end of the second fall semester. The actual period for the completion of these hours and the related project is during the summer. It is essential that you communicate the name of your major professor, your project theme, and scope and timeline to the Program Director before the end of the second fall semester.
Non-thesis Research Project
The specific focus will depend on the research topic and form selected by the student and his or her major professor. Students will work with their major professor to define their research topic and format so that it meets departmental expectations for a non-thesis project. Meetings will take place via telephone, web conferences, or other electronic means. The major professor will work with the student to establish a reporting schedule that is appropriate for the project and will provide the means to evaluate that satisfactory progress is being made toward completion of the degree. Students are highly encouraged to undertake a project of industrial relevance.
The Distance Learning Experience
This distance education program marries traditional educational approaches with real world applications leading to a state-of-the-art interactive learning experience. To this end, the program has partnered with New Realm Brewing Company and craft beer industry members to showcase best practices in all aspects of the brewing industry. The distance learning approach combines synchronous and asynchronous delivery mechanisms to highlight the best industry methods and practice. The online learning environment will afford the student seamless transition from classroom-based instruction to in-the-field application making for a much more rewarding and beneficial learning experience. Additionally, each faculty member will be available weekly for one-to-one interaction and study advice and students will participate in online group discussions with peers as they progress through the program.
