We’re less than two short months from launching our brand new Craft Brewing and Distilling degree program—and we’re currently accepting applications for the first cohort of 30 students.  Since the next class of future brewers, distillers, and cider makers won’t even begin their studies for one to two years from this fall, now is the time to complete your application and get into the inaugural program!

What’s new about the program?

It’s been a while since we’ve spoken with ThurstonTalk or The Olympian with program updates, but we’ve got some exciting news to share.

Online class model:  We can officially welcome students from all over the country as part of our program!  The program is designed to offer most classes online with just one or two intensive weekends per quarter on-site in the Olympia area.  Whether you’re already a working professional or you live somewhere else in the country, the online-plus-intensive-weekend model makes participating in this program a possibility for anyone.

The only program of its kind:  If you haven’t already heard, ours is the only program in the U.S. that offers a degree in all three areas: craft brewing, distilling, and cider making.  That’s why local, domestic, and international experts are excited to work with us to bring an outstanding level of education to the program.

Industry-focused classes:  All classes in the program are contextualized to be industry relevant.  That means that the business plan you create in your business class and the papers you write for English are focused on industry and themes in craft brewing, distilling, and cider making.  Classes during quarter one of the program include Fermentation (instructor to be announced), Business (taught by Tim Madeley), and English (taught by Nancy Miller).

Program approval received: After Board of Trustees and SBCTC approvals, the program has officially been approved by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.  With this approval, SPSCC has begun steps to make the program financial aid eligible.  While the first quarter of the program is not financial aid eligible, the College expects that winter and subsequent quarters will be.

Back to school: The inaugural cohort will be selected this summer and will begin classes in mid-September after an exciting program kick-off party.  If you’ve been waiting for applications to open up for this program, don’t miss your chance to become part of the first 30!

Learn More or Apply Now >>

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