With the distilled spirits industry expected to continue its expansion in Kentucky for years to come, UofL will help meet the demand for qualified employees through a new, 100% online Distilled Spirits Business Certificate for graduate students.
Classes for the certificate will begin in the Fall 2019 semester. All classes will be online, delivered in five-week terms, and taught by UofL faculty and industry experts. Course credits earned in the certificate program also will count towards completion of an MBA. Tuition for the nine-credit hour certificate will be $6,426*.
“The Distilled Spirits Business Certificate is a unique educational offering that has been designed to serve our students, the industry and the Louisville area,” said Todd Mooradian, dean of the College of Business. “We are aligning the certificate program with the needs of distilled spirits organizations to develop a mutually beneficial talent pipeline that serves our business community and our students.”
The certificate, approved by the Board of Trustees April 18, will be targeted to prospective and recent employees of the industry who intend to work in business operations.
According to the Kentucky Distiller’s Association (KDA), the distilled spirits industry is responsible for more than 20,000 jobs and $1 billion in annual payroll in Kentucky alone. KDA estimates that by 2020, those numbers will grow to 24,000 jobs with a total payroll of $1.2 billion.
Among the topics covered in the certificate curriculum will be regulations, sales and distribution, operations and supply chain management, sustainability and brand marketing.
The certificate joins 36 other programs offered fully online from UofL, including the Franchise Management Certificate – another Kentucky-driven business program that delivers knowledgeable and industry-ready professionals – and the recently launched online MBA.
More information about the Distilled Spirits Business Certificate is available online.
*Tuition rate applies to academic year 2018-2019 and is subject to change without prior notice
