Western Michigan University Declares Bachelors in Brewing!

[MrKangaruu]

Kalamazoo beer week unveiled a new Bachelors degree program Brewing Sciences. Many local breweries have been involved with class making and degree pathway... Any thoughts???

 

[fivepointslow]

Need to offer this online!! I would be using my GIBill right now!!!

 

[Beek]

I think it's awesome. It's the best craft beer state in the country. So it's perfect. I almost want to go back to college... Almost.

 

[sumbrewindude]

I think a chem or micro degree will have more legs and offer more open doors to a career path than this.

 

[signpost]

That makes two Michigan schools with brewing programs. The first classes for the program at Central Michigan are supposed to start in the fall if I remember correctly.

If I was young college student undecided about a major, I'd definitely go for one of these programs.

What I'm really wondering is if the program at western will include partnership with Bell's or if they're working with another brewery.

 

[Hello]

I think it is wonderful, but I do wonder about the return on investment with these programs. A head brewer job most likely won't be earned just because of the degree. I believe the brewery would want someone to have experience as well. The pay for a head brewer in a small craft brewery isn't fantastic either. So unless they're going to somehow partner with a very big company like AB or something to provide internships and eventual jobs, then I'd be worried about having a job in the industry that lets me support myself when the degree is earned.

Now, if I were younger and lived at home, I probably wouldn't worry at all and I would just go for it because it is a passion.

 

[MaxStout]

I think a chem or micro degree will have more legs and offer more open doors to a career path than this.

The chem/micro with a minor in brewing sciences would be hot combination.

 

[eadavis80]

Fire up for the MAC! I read months ago that CMU was offering a program like that too. As a CMU grad, I'm happy to see the Chips (and dare I say those lousy Broncos) offer these new programs. Wish they were offered when I was there. I wasn't a brewer 18 years ago, but if I was an enrolling freshman now, I think I'd be declaring my major!