Degree Title
Bachelor of Science
Summer A 2025 Start Date:
May 5, 2025
Summer B 2025 Start Date:
June 16, 2025
Overview
The Bacardi Center of Excellence is a dynamic learning partnership between Bacardi North America and FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. The vision of this partnership is to inspire and educate the hospitality community on spirits and beyond. To do so, the Bacardi Center of Excellence created a spirits management major exclusively for FIU, available completely online.
This Bacardi Spirits Management Major is available for students who want to pursue a career in the beverage industry. The focus of the program is on the foundations of spirits, the art and science of fine spirits, operational dynamics, marketing, law, and beverage entrepreneurship. Students will be prepared for employment opportunities with international spirit brands, national distributors, beverage marketing agencies, and fill operational positions with hotels, resorts, restaurant groups, and the duty-free segment (cruise ships, airlines and the Caribbean market).
Take the next step.
At FIU, you’ll learn from faculty members with strong academic credentials, excellent teaching skills and extensive executive-level industry experience. We’ve designed our online undergraduate degree programs with all the support you need to thrive as a student. With 24/7 access to interactive technology, real-time feedback from faculty and the one-on-one guidance of a dedication success coach, we’re with you every step of the way.
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Why Apply?
The curriculum for this fully online program blends academic instruction with hands-on experience, including at the prestigious South Beach Wine and Food Festival, which benefits FIU's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. For graduation, each student must have worked a minimum of 1,000 hours in the industry and completed an advanced internship of an additional 300 hours.
The program offers a comprehensive set of core requirements and practical experiences that provide a solid foundation in business management, finance, logistics, accounting, operations and more, preparing you to excel and lead in the biggest industry in the world.
Partnerships
The Chaplin School, in partnership with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, supports the annual production of the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capitol One (SOBEWFF®). The event, which is the largest of its kind in the U.S., generates experiential learning opportunities for as many as 1,200 FIU students each year. Additionally, the Chaplin School has developed many other long-standing relationships with major global hospitality and tourism corporations such as Sandals Resorts, Carnival Corporation & PLC (funder of the Carnival Gold Scholars and the Carnival Student Center on our BBC campus) and Marriott International (namesake for the school’s Marriott Tianjin China Program). The school also has partnerships with some well-known names like the Fontainebleau Miami Beach which hosts the world renowned nightclub, LIV® and food and beverage producers such as Bacardi USA, and Badia Spices.
Jobs in Spirits Management include those in:
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International Spirit Brands
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Beverage Distribution
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Hotel or Resort Beverage Management
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Duty Free Market – Cruise Ships, Airlines, & Caribbean Market
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Bar or Nightclub Management
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Beverage Sales & Marketing
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Specialty areas such as Distilling, Mega Events/Festivals & Brand Ambassador
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Courses
For more information on the Hospitality Management - Spirits Management Major program please visit the FIU Course Catalog. If you would like to view the specific courses related to the program, please use the breadcrumbs on the Course Catalog to go back and select the “Courses” tab.
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Admissions
For more information on the admissions process and how to apply please visit the FIU Admissions website.
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Tuition and Aid
We’re thrilled that you’re considering online education and want you to know exactly what to expect for tuition and fees. Education is an investment in your future. Use the following student tuition and fees calculator to determine your costs.
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Top Faculty
Cristina Moguel
Adjunct Professor and founding Program Coordinator of the Bacardi Center of Excellence at FIU's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, Cristina Moguel, leads courses in Advanced Food & Beverage Operations, Leadership & Entrepreneurship (with David Grutman & Groot Hospitality), and a study abroad course on the Origin of Coffee in Costa Rica. A distinguished FIU alumna and founder of the Student Guilds, Cristina has 17+ years in the industry. She's excelled in roles from General Manager to Bar Manager, with a reputation for quality, presentation, and innovation in the restaurant and bar industry.
Nathan Dodge
Associate Teaching Professor at FIU's Chaplin School and founding Bacardi Center of Excellence faculty member, Nathan Dodge, MBA, started his hospitality journey in 1995 with Alamo Rent-A-Car. Holding a BS and MBA from Lynn University, his career spans facilities management and marketing, including a stint with Bureau Veritas. He co-hosts the podcast "2 Barstools and a Knife," teaches various hospitality courses, and leads international study programs. An FIU Faculty Senate officer, Dodge's greatest joy is travel, shared with his wife Dawn, influencing his educational approach.
Gabe Urrutia
Gabe Urrutia brings two decades of hospitality expertise to his professor role at FIU's Chaplin School. An accomplished trainer and cocktail menu designer, he's a former St. Germain and Dekuyper Challenge competitor, with an FIU degree and an MBA in Marketing. His career includes key positions with Anheuser Busch, Grey Goose, Bacardi USA, and Jordan Vineyard & Winery. An author and podcast host, Urrutia is a recognized industry tastemaker and will teach Beverage Marketing & Distribution at FIU's Bacardi Center of Excellence.
120 Credits Required
235.57 Per Credit Hour (In-State) + Fees
648.87 Per Credit Hour (Out-of-State) + Fees
* Total tuition and fees are subject to change.
Highlights
Fully Online Degree
Every online student is paired with a success coach
Program starts: Fall, Spring, Summer
Become part of an exceptional community and make the most of your education. Join the Honors College.
#1 Best Online Bachelor's Degree for Hospitality Management, BestColleges.com, 2019-2020
#9 Best Hospitality Management Degrees Online, GuidetoOnlineSchools.com, 2020
#1 Best Programs for Online Hotel Management Degrees, AffordableCollegesOnline.org, 2020
#1 Best Colleges for Hospitality Management in Florida, CollegeFactual.com, 2020
Chaplin School ranked in top 50 worldwide, QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2019
#1 Hospitality Management Bachelor’s Degree Online Programs, BestHospitalityDegrees.com, 2018
#2 Best Online Bachelor's Programs, CollegeChoice.net, 2017
