Wine and Craft Beverage Management Minor
The Wine and Craft Beverage Management Minor teaches students the basic applications of the wine and microbrewing industry.
- Students will acquire the knowledge, operational functions, strategies, and practical skills required for managing and operating businesses within the wine and microbrewing industries.
- Students will gain valuable hands-on experience through a mandatory internship, enabling them to apply the knowledge acquired throughout their classes and gain real-world exposure before graduation.
- Students will develop a clearer understanding of what segment of this industry interests them (wine, beer, distilled spirits, cideries, events management, food distribution) and receive opportunities to network within those sectors.
- Students will have valuable opportunities to work alongside industry professionals who can provide specific training tailored to the industry’s requirements and demands.
What you’ll learn:
The curriculum focuses on providing students with a combination of in-classroom lectures and hands-on experiences in the field, such as visiting venues in northern Virginia.
Coursework covers foundational knowledge in marketing, sales, finance, and accounting for small business management and operations. Additionally, there are elective courses available for students to choose from, allowing them to focus on specific areas such as business management, business development, or product development.
The curriculum places importance on developing skills in customer relations, sales, networking, leadership, and communication. Students will also gain an understanding of the regulatory framework of the industry and learn about the financial pressures involved in running a small business.
Who will benefit from this certificate?
Courses are open to any Mason students with an interest in the wine and microbrewing management and operations.
- This minor is beneficial for students who have an interest in pursuing careers in the winery and brewery business, whether working for established organizations or starting their own ventures.
- This minor equips students with an additional tool to enhance their marketability to potential employers. The transferrable skills gained through this minor offer students a competitive edge as they enter the workforce.
Total credits: 18
Required Courses
Marketing
Select one from the following:
- SPMT 412: Sport Marketing and Sales (3 credits)
- TOUR 412: Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Management Marketing and Sales (3 credits)
- MKTG 303: Principles of Marketing (3 credits)
Cost Control/Finance
Select one from the following:
- ACCT 303: Accounting for Decision Making (3 credits)
- FNAN 303: Financial Management (3 credits) OR MBUS 308: Corporate Finance and Investments in a Global Economy (3 credits)
- SPMT 420: Economics and Finance in the Sport Industry (3 credits)
- TOUR 310: Food and Beverage Management (3 credits)
Total Credits: 9
Electives
Select two from the following: *
- ACCT 311: Managerial and Cost Accounting (3 credits)
- MKTG 353: New Product Development (3 credits)
- MGMT 451: Introduction to Entrepreneurship (3 credits)
- MGMT 452: Experiential Entrepreneurship (3 credits)
- NUTR 430: Introduction to Wine and Beer (3 credits)
- RMGT 310: Program Planning and Evaluation (3 credits)
- RMGT 323: Program Leadership and Evaluation (3 credits)
- TOUR 220: Introduction to Event Management (3 credits)
- TOUR 221: Event Implementation and Evaluation (3 credits)
- TOUR 230: Introduction to Hospitality Management (3 credits)
- TOUR 343: Wine and Food Tourism (3 credits)
- TOUR 414: Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Management Finance (3 credits)
Total Credits: 6
*Tourism and Events Management, BS students are required to select at least one RMGT, MKTG, or NUTR course as an elective.
Field Experience
SRTM 342: Wine & Craft Beverage Field Experience (3 credits)- 3 credits field experience is required at winery, brewery, or distillery
- Students can repeat field experience once
- Students can take the field experience course after completing the three required courses.
Total Credits: 3
Michelle Séki
Academic Advisor
mgnoleba@gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-5200
Thompson Hall, Suite 2300 (Fairfax)