Mar 14, 2026  
2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog

Beverage Scholar Certificate


Rita and Navin Dimond Department of Hotel Management  
School of Hospitality  

About the Program


The Beverage Scholar Certificate program provides an industry-relevant certificate of completion that demonstrates student completion of a broad range of appreciation, production, and service of beverage courses in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including, but not limited to, coffee, tea, beer, wine, spirits, kombucha, water, soju, sake, vermouths, bitters, and more. Students engage in their awareness of beverage styles and service through the process of sensory analysis, evaluation of beverage taste components, and measures of quality. The common industries that value beverage certifications include bars, restaurants, liquor stores, markets, tasting rooms, beverage producers, distributors, and education programs. The Beverage Scholar Certificate provides a strong foundation of beverage styles and service. All courses in the Beverage Scholar Certificate are required, with no additional electives.

The School of Hospitality has existing partnerships with beverage organizations that provide credentials available to students, including, The Society of Wine Educators, National Restaurant Association, Cicerone, Master Brewers Association, and more. The world-class facilities at MSU Denver, and the School of Hospitality include the Degree Brewpub, Charlie Papazian Brewing Education Lab, Beverage Analytics Laboratory, Powered by Siebel, the Springhill Suites Downtown, Sensory Analysis Lab, Culinary Demonstration Theater, Food Laboratories, Wine Cellar Laboratory, Pilot Brewery, Fermentation Laboratory, and state of the art multi-media classrooms.

General Certificate Requirements


Certificate requirements for the university can be found on the page below. All students seeking a certificate at the undergraduate level must follow these requirements in addition to the specifc requirements related to the certificate declared. 

Program Requirements


  • This certificate is a total of 18 credits.
  • A minimum passing grade of “C” is required for all courses within the certificate.

Required Courses: 18 credits


Required courses in the Beverage Scholar Certificate

Summary of Requirements


Required Courses 18 credits
Total for the Beverage Scholar Certificate 18 credits