PULLMAN, Wash. — If you do not need a certificate for employment reasons, do not have the time or financial resources for the certificate program, or are anxious to start learning about winemaking and can’t wait until a seat in Washington State University’s professional certificate program opens up, then the new self-directed program may be the option for you.
“This self-directed option is perfect for those who are ready to start their enology education right away,” certificate program coordinator Theresa Beaver said.
The self-directed program provides the opportunity to take individual courses. There are no exams or assignments due, there is no contact with the instructor, there is no requirement to attend the weekend camps, and there is no certificate. However, by purchasing a course, the student receives a link to a Web site where the lectures given by WSU experts and industry specialists can be obtained. The lectures are PowerPoint presentations with audio, and are the same lectures that students in the certificate program receive.
Unlike the professional certificate program, where the waiting list is over 600 people, the self-directed option is available now.
The Web site to take self-directed enology courses is now open and the first six courses are available. More enology courses will be added soon and a site for self-directed viticulture courses will also be available soon.
The six courses currently available for self-directed study are: Wine Production, Wine Chemistry, Winery Sanitation, Winery Equipment, Economics of Starting a Winery, and Enology-Viticulture Interface. These courses range from $75-$400.
To learn more about these self-directed winemaking courses, visit http://cru84.cahe.wsu.edu/cgi-bin/enology. To learn more about WSU’s professional certificate programs in viticulture and enology, visit http://winegrapes.wsu.edu/certificates.html.
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