Minnesota college expands brewing degree with online-only course
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Dakota County Technical College's beer degree is going digital.
Why it matters: The Minnesota school's new online-only Brewing Science and Production certificate trains aspiring brewers, regardless of where they live or the hours they work.
The big picture: Stagnating consumption and production have sparked closures and consolidations across the Twin Cities' once-booming craft beer scene.
Yes, but: Boosters of the program say those shifts make opportunities for continuing education more important, not less.
- "One of the things about a mature industry is you need a skilled workforce," instructor Andrew Burns told Axios.
- "As much as we see the occasional brewery close, I'm constantly seeing breweries hiring people with skills and knowledge."
How it works: The self-directed curriculum, modeled after the two-year college's ongoing in-person program, covers everything from technical skills to food pairings.
- Instead of brewing their own batches in the on-campus lab, students complete an internship at a brewery for hands-on experience.
Zoom out: The program, believed to be the only one of its kind in Minnesota, is one of several beer certificates or degrees offered by colleges and universities nationwide.
- But at about $3,700 for two semesters, the online certificate will be more affordable than well-regarded programs in other states.
What they're saying: Burns, an alumnus of Pryes Brewing Company, said the goal is to give "anyone with an internet connection" the opportunity to hone their skills or jumpstart a career.
- "Instead of spending several years on the bottom of the pay scale in the brewery world ... [you] come out with so much more knowledge and experience."
How to apply: Fall semester applications for both the online certificate and in-person program, which meets on Saturdays, are due in August.
- Scholarships are available, and Burns noted that students from lower-income families are eligible for the state's new tuition-free college program.
