This Interdisciplinary Program provides students with a broad understanding of the global wine industry. The program prepares graduates for careers in winery and vineyard management, wine merchandising, wholesale, retail, e-commerce, distribution, marketing, import/export, hospitality, entrepreneurship, consulting, and more.
In the major, students complete 52 major core credits to acquire a broad base of knowledge and skills related to wine, wine business issues, and the global wine industry. Students also complete a minor in one of several complementary academic areas. Students will also gain valuable experience by participating in a required international field experience and an internship with a wine-related business, either in the U.S. or abroad.
Admission Requirements
Students must complete the pre-admission requirements prior to admission into the degree program. An overall minimum 2.5 GPA will be required for admission. Students must fill out an application that includes an essay of motivation and goals. Upon approval of the application, an in-person or telephone interview will be conducted between the advisor for the global wine studies major and the prospective student. Permission of the major advisor is required. Upon admittance to the program students must agree to sign a written statement regarding professional conduct and responsibility.
Students must be 18 years of age to apply for the major. It should be understood that all classroom courses involving tasting will require students to taste and spit (Washington State legislation RCW 66.20.010 (12) a-f).
Course Requirements
Students will be expected to spend significant amounts of time outside the classroom on projects, field trips, and assignments. Students must earn a cumulative GPA of 2.7 in the global wine studies core courses.
Tuition
Global Wine Trade (GWT) course tuition is the same as the regular CWU tuition for undergraduates. Some courses have lab fees to cover additional costs.