Program Overview
Ready to take your wine or spirits expertise to the next level? Take courses to earn Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET®), Society of Wine Educators (SWE) or L’Ecole du Vin of Bordeaux certifications at Johnson & Wales University.
Build expertise. Advance your food & wine career. Earn credentials as a (note that offerings may vary by campus):
- Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW)
- Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS)
- French Wine Scholar (FWS; North Miami and Charlotte only)
Refund Policy: In order to receive a full refund, you must cancel your registration up to one full week (7 days) prior to the scheduled class. JWU reserves the right to cancel classes due to insufficient enrollment.
Johnson & Wales is an accredited WSET® Approved Program Provider, offering 3 levels of courses at our Providence, North Miami and Charlotte campuses. In addition, Providence and North Miami offer casual day classes in wine appreciation.
WSET FOUNDATIONS LEVEL I ($250 | One-day session | Dates and times vary)
This entry-level introduction to wine is ideal for consumers, restaurant or retail sales professionals who are new to wine. The class, which includes wine tastings and food and wine pairing exercises, concludes with a short multiple choice exam.
WSET INTERMEDIATE LEVEL II ($950 | 9-week session | Dates and times vary)
The internationally recognized Wine & Spirit Education Trust® offers this intensive program for wine enthusiasts and food & beverage professionals. Expand your knowledge of the major Old and New World wine growing regions, wine production and classification. This course is recommended as a starting point before proceeding to the Advanced Level or the CSW.
WSET ADVANCED LEVEL III ($1,395 | Dates and times vary)
Designed for the wine enthusiast and professional who qualified at the Awards Level 2. This intensive program will examine production methods and global wine labeling laws.
SWE CERTIFIED SPECIALIST OF WINE (CSW) ($1,150 | 11-week session | Dates and times vary)
The advanced level Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) is rigorous and requires intermediate level knowledge of wine (WSET Level II) or industry experience. It tests a candidate’s wine knowledge and mastery of key elements within the worlds of viticulture and wine production.
SWE CERTIFIED SPECIALIST OF SPIRITS (CSS) ($950 | 9-week course | Dates and times vary)
Certification from this course is recognized and highly regarded by the US and international wine & spirits industry. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions based on material in the CSS Study Guide.
BORDEAUX WINE CERTIFICATE ($450 | 4-week course | Dates and times vary)
The Bordeaux Wine Certificate is a four-week long course accredited by L’École du Vin of Bordeaux, the official educational branch of the Interprofessional Bureau of Bordeaux Wines. Upon successful completion of the course, candidates receive a Bordeaux Wine Certificate from L’École du Vin.
FOOD & WINE PAIRING ($125 | 1-day session | Dates and times vary)
A 4-hour class designed to look at new paradigms for pairing wines and food. Food tastings will accompany wines to illustrate the points that are made.
BEER APPRECIATION ($125 | 1-day session | Dates and times vary)
A 4-hour introduction to beer. Learn the basics of the brewing process and how to identify the various classic styles of beer brewed around the world. Tastings will provide the foundations of beer and food pairing.
MIXOLOGY BASICS ($125 | 1-day session | Dates and times vary)
Gain a hands-on overview on building cocktails and mixed drinks using professional techniques. Learn precise methods for building and presenting drinks.
CLASSIC COCKTAILS ($125 | 1-day session | Dates and times vary)
Explore why classic cocktails are enjoying such a Renaissance. Participants will practice correct procedures and produce real cocktails to sample.
CRAFTING COCKTAILS ($125 | 1-day session | Dates and times vary)
Designed for participants who have already taken the Mixology Basics class, this class focuses on best techniques and demonstrates how to approach crafting cocktails.