The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Wine and Beverage Management degree program is offered through the CIA's School of Graduate and Professional Studies. The core of this program involves instruction in those topics critical to professionals working in this area of the industry and will enhance prior education in areas of hospitality management, culinary arts, or other related fields.
The objective is to deliver a comprehensive overview of wines and beverages of the world—from varietals and winemaking practices to wine laws, contemporary business practices, and understanding of distribution channels—that will be of immediate value to employers looking to bring a wine and beverage professional into their organizations.
Graduates of the MPS in Wine and Beverage Management will have the skills and knowledge for entry-level positions in food and beverage management, service, wine hospitality, winery sales, distribution, catering, and wine and food event management.
To qualify for the master's degree, students must successfully complete the entire course of study: four online semesters, three on-site residencies, and a final capstone semester online. The program consists of 30 credits of course work completed 24 months. Once students have successfully completed the required 30 credit hours while maintaining at least a 3.0 grade point average, they will be awarded the Master of Professional Studies in Wine and Beverage Management.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate an advanced level of proficiency in sensory analysis of wines, distilled spirits, and fermented and non-fermented beverages.
- Students will analyze similarities and differences between major wine and selected beverage producing regions of the world.
- Students will analyze complex business issues specifically related to wine and beverages and recommend solutions.
- Students will examine the synergies between food and beverage – focusing on key processes such as marketing, distribution and retail.
- Students will develop effective management strategies for relationships with vintners, distillers, distributors, retailers and beverage leaders throughout the United States.
- Students will demonstrate effective communication skills through collegial online discussion posts, peer reviewing, and developed scholarly writing.
Graduation Requirements
The Master of Professional Studies program is offered once per year, beginning with a residency in September. Online classes begin in September.
Students enrolling in the Master of Professional Studies in Wine and Beverage Management degree program must complete a specified set of courses, with a cohort, in a particular and set order, to meet the graduation requirements of the degree. All courses are online with the exception of Viticulture and Viniculture, Orientation and Cohort Formation, Global Wine Summit + Framing of Capstone; and Capstone Presentation Residency, which are in-person residencies.