Program at a Glance
- Hands-On with Tastings & Food Pairings
- On Campus
- Part-Time Study
- Four Courses
- 8–16 months
- Noncredit
- Tuition & Fees: $6,320–$6,560
A Global Journey in Wine: Culture, Science, and Tasting
The Certificate Program in Wine Studies at Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET) is designed for wine professionals, hospitality leaders, and serious enthusiasts who wish to explore the cultural, scientific, and business aspects of wine in order to develop a well-rounded foundation in viticulture, enology, wine history, and sensory evaluation.
Employing expert-led tastings, food and wine pairing workshops, field experiences, and insight from guest speakers, BU’s noncredit Wine Studies certificate program embraces a global perspective, introducing you to wine regions of Europe, the Americas, Oceania, South Africa, and Eastern Europe. As you learn to critically assess wine quality, understand winemaking practices from grape to glass, and explore current trends and challenges in the global wine market, you will develop your own refined tasting methodology and communication skills.
Whether you aim to advance your career in the wine industry or deepen your personal knowledge, the Certificate Program in Wine Studies equips you to analyze and discuss wine confidently at the highest level.
BU’s Metropolitan College also offers a credit-bearing Graduate Certificate in Wine Studies.
What Are the Strengths of BU’s Certificate Program in Wine Studies?
- Immersive Learning Environment: Along with tastings, pairing workshops, lectures, and assigned readings, BU’s Wine Studies courses often include field visits to vineyards and wineries, hands-on winemaking experiences, guest lectures, and expert-led tastings.
- Engaged Faculty: BU’s highly qualified Wine Studies faculty have decades of experience in the beverage and restaurant industries, as well as wine and food journalism. In addition, you have access to the Jacques Pépin Lecture Series, featuring world-renowned winemakers and wine experts, chefs, authors, educators, and culinary innovators.
- Global Curriculum with Career Impact: Build deep knowledge of international wine regions and trends while developing the confidence and vocabulary to succeed in all aspects of the wine industry, as well as wine education, hospitality, journalism, or retail.
- Elevated Sensory Experience: Benefit from BU MET’s state-of-the-art Groce Pépin Culinary Innovation Laboratory and collaboration with the Professional Culinary Arts Program and the Professional Pastry Arts Program, which elevates the wine tasting and pairing experience with cuisine prepared on-site.
- Extensive Network: The merits of Boston University’s Wine Studies program are recognized by the Massachusetts beverage and restaurant trades. Study alongside peers with industry experience, interact with guest speakers and wine professionals, learn from faculty who have valuable contacts in the field, and benefit from an alumni community with strong professional connections in hospitality, wine production, and beverage media, among others.
- Historic Cookbook Library: Benefit from access to a unique and growing library of more than 3,000 historic cookbooks—including seminal literature on gastronomy, cuisine, and wine studies—and food-related ephemera that is available to you as a research collection. Subjects range from the 19th century into contemporary food trends. The library is also home to the John Mariani menu collection, 40 years’ worth of menus (and growing) collected over the course of one restaurant reviewer’s career.
- Convenient Courses: Study evenings on campus, with courses beginning fall and spring.
- Industry Discount: BU MET offers a 20 percent tuition discount to those in the food, wine, and hospitality fields. For more information, please contact foodwine@bu.edu.
- Track Record: Learn from the best—BU MET’s legacy in food studies goes back to 1991, when the Gastronomy master’s degree program was founded by Jacques Pépin and Julia Child, two legends of the culinary world. The Elizabeth Bishop Wine Resource Center was established in 1996.
Academic Unit Option
BU MET also offers a graduate-level certificate program in Wine Studies, which earns academic units. Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Wine Studies.
Tuition
The total cost for the noncredit Certificate Program in Wine Studies ranges from $6,320 to $6,560, depending on which courses you choose.
Financial Resources
The following scholarships and awards may be available to eligible students:
The Rebecca Alssid Scholarship for Wine Studies
Established through the sponsorship of the Boston Bailliage of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs and the US Chaîne Foundation, the Rebecca Alssid Scholarship for Wine Studies is given to a student who has completed Wine Studies Level 3 (Comprehensive Survey of Wine: The World) with distinction, with the approval by the faculty. The Scholarship comes with a certificate and an award of $250 to be applied towards tuition for Wine Studies Level 4 (Current Topics in Wine Studies).
Wine Studies Certificate Curriculum
Students who are admitted to the Certificate Program in Wine Studies and successfully complete the following courses will receive a Professional Certificate in Wine Studies.
A total of four courses is required, including:
Comprehensive Survey of Wine: Europe
Comprehensive Survey of Wine: The World
Plus two selected from the following:
History of Wine (Online)
Fundamentals of Wine
Advanced Wine Tasting
Introduction to Winemaking
Current Topics in Wine Studies
Why BU’s Wine Studies Programs?
Diverse Wine Studies Curriculum
Develop your ability to identify the names and characteristics of global wine varietals and regions.
Learn from Industry Experts
Study with faculty who have decades of experience in the wine, beverage, and restaurant industries.
Networking and Career Opportunities
Benefit from BU MET’s connections to the Massachusetts beverage and restaurant trades.
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