Undergraduate Certification Programs
FERMENTATION & DISTILLATION SCIENCE
The Certificate in Fermentation and Distillation Science prepares students to work in the distillation, brewing and fermentation industries
by providing real-world, hands-on experience in the chemistry, food safety, and marketing
and management
required in these growing fields.
The bourbon industry, based in the heart of central Kentucky near Kentucky State University’s Frankfort campus, has a $8.6 billion economic impact on the state and provides more than 20,100 jobs to Kentuckians. The craft beer industry, which has grown 600% over the past five years, contributes $657 million and provides 18,000 jobs in Kentucky. The state’s wine and specialty food industries as well as its value-added markets are also growing at a steady pace.
Students who earn their certificate in this area will receive hands-on training in unique product development research in areas such as kimchi, soy sauce, ginger beer, fermented vinegar, hemp biomass, beer, bourbon, wine, and more. They will also have the opportunity to work with Kentucky State University Land Grant Program partners such as Three Boys Farm Distillery, Glenns Creek Distilling, Sig Luscher Brewery and Rising Sons Winery and use state-of-the-art equipment at the Atwood Research Facility and the Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm fermentation facility.
FOUR COURSES FOR CERTIFICATE:
AFE 118: Intro to Fermentation & Distillation Science
Identify the crops used as the raw ingredients of beer, wine, and distilled spirits
and understand the molecular transformations
of brewing and distilling. Field trips will include Glenns Creek Distilling, Sig Luscher
Brewery, Rising Sons Winery.
AFE 130/CHE 108: Fermentation & Spirits Chemistry
Chemical processes and reactions that are necessary in the
process of fermentation and distillation. Specific chemical
bonding and reactions that are necessary for successful brewing
and distillation as well as acid/base chemistry will be covered.
AFE 359: Fermentation of Food & Food Safety
Issues and concerns related to food safety and microbiology focusing on fermented
foods. This course includes hands on/practical approaches in microbial food processes,
general food safety, public health and epidemiology.
AFE 459: Directed Studies in Fermentation & Distillation Science
Course with a mentor on or off campus with a project involving the creation of fermented
foods or beverages or distillation of spirits. This project could include areas such
as food safety, flavor, business aspects, marketing, or other similar topic.
To learn more, contact:
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Undergraduate Certification Programs Table of Contents
AQUACULTURE and AQUATIC SCIENCES
The Certificate in Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences is an undergraduate, career-focused educational opportunity that helps learners from all backgrounds develop skills needed for careers in aquaculture and related fields. Aquaculture is the rearing of aquatic organisms under controlled or semi-controlled conditions. Aquaculture is the fastest growing food producing activity in the world and now produces over 50% of the world’s seafood. In Kentucky and the southern U.S., aquaculture production focuses on raising freshwater species commercially.
COURSES FOR CERTIFICATE:
Choose 12 hours from the following—
AQU 407: Fish Genetics
AQU 409: Biostatistics
AQU 411: Fish Diseases
AQU 413: Aquatic Ecology
AQU 421: Fish Nutrition
AQU 422: Principles of Aquaculture
AQU 427: Fish Reproduction & Spawning Techniques
Students must receive a “C” in these courses.
To learn more, contact:
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Undergraduate Certification Programs Table of Contents
ENVIRONMENTAL MEASUREMENTS |
The Certificate in Environmental Measurements is an undergraduate, career-focused educational opportunity that prepares learners from all backgrounds for careers that require professional skills including acquiring, analyzing and interpreting field data. Traditional and non-traditional students, high school teachers, and government and private industry employees can earn this certificate in order to develop unique skills and specific tools and procedures for measuring impacts of different practices on the environment. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates an expected growth of 5% to 7% for positions in agriculture related fields by 2024.
COURSES FOR CERTIFICATE: |
All of these 14 hours are required—
AQU 480: Introduction to GIS
AFE 489: Remote Sensing of the Environment
AQU 460/461: Water Quality Management (w/lab)
BIO 417: Ecological Field Methods
Students must receive a “C” in these courses.
To learn more, contact:
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Undergraduate Certification Programs Table of Contents
ELEMENTS OF FASHION AND HOME DECOR |
The Certificate in Elements of Fashion and Home Décor is an undergraduate, career-focused educational opportunity that surveys an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to the study of design including fashion, interior decor, home environments, housing, and related consumer concerns. This certificate will address design elements and principles for the consumer including application of the arts and appreciation for the aesthetics of design; apparel construction and analysis which incorporates garment construction, fundamentals of fashion apparel production, and more.
COURSES FOR CERTIFICATE: |
All of these 12 hours are required—
FCS 201: Design Elements and Principles for the
Consumer
FCS 202: Apparel Construction and Analysis
FCS 303: Consumer Economics and Resource
Management
FCS 304: Housing and Home Environment
Students must receive a “C” in these courses.
To learn more, contact:
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Undergraduate Certification Programs Table of Contents
FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCE |
The Certificate in Family and Consumer Science is an undergraduate, career-focused educational opportunity that will enable students from a variety of backgrounds to learn key consumer topics that relate to family functioning including food preparation, consumer education, financial management, housing, home environments, and lifespan development. Students will gain hands-on experience in creating aesthetically pleasing and healthy home environments. They will also study family resource management, consumer education and food, nutrition, and health.
COURSES FOR CERTIFICATE: |
All of these 12 hours are required—
FCS 303: Consumer Economics and Resource
Management
FCS 304: Housing and Home Environment
FCS 305: Principles of Food Preparation
PSY 303: Theories and Methods in Developmental
Psychology
Students must receive a “C” in these courses.
To learn more, contact:
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Undergraduate Certification Programs Table of Contents
FOOD SAFETY |
The Certificate in Food Safety is an undergraduate, career-focused educational opportunity that focuses on meeting
food safety standards and how to implement these best practices in a variety of environments.
Employees of careers in food safety are responsible for overseeing the processing,
packaging and preparation of food in accordance with standards. Typical employers
include food production companies, federal organizations such as the U.S. Department
of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, local and state health departments,
and other regulatory agencies. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that
employment of agricultural and food science technicians is
projected to grow 5% to 7% by 2024.
COURSES FOR CERTIFICATE: |
All of these 12 hours are required—
FNU 104: Fundamentals of Nutrition
AFE 425: Organic Agriculture
AFE 455: Food Safety and Microbiology
AFE 465: Food Systems
Students must receive a “C” in these courses.
To learn more, contact:
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Undergraduate Certification Programs Table of Contents
GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION |
The Certificate in Geospatial Technology Application is an undergraduate, career-focused educational opportunity that helps learners from
all backgrounds develop basic skills in acquiring, analyzing and interpreting spatial
databases and preparing standard cartographic maps using 21st century mapping and
visualization techniques. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates an
expected growth of 5% to 7% for positions in agriculture and related fields by 2024.
This certificate creates educational opportunities for students and non-traditional
students as well as high school teachers and government and private industry employees
for professional development.
COURSES FOR CERTIFICATE: |
All of these 12 hours are required—
AFE 366: Climate Change Studies
AFE 489: Remote Sensing of the Environment
AQU 480: Introduction to GIS
COS 364: Data Storage & Data Mining
Students must receive a “C” in these courses.
To learn more, contact:
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Undergraduate Certification Programs Table of Contents
HUMAN HEALTH AND NUTRITION |
The world faces important nutrition and wellness issues as society manages global
food challenges as well as community health issues. The Certificate in Human Health and Nutrition is an undergraduate,
career-focused educational opportunity that prepares learners from all backgrounds
for careers that focus on nutrition in the context of community education and human
health. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of agricultural
and food experts is projected to grow 5% to 7% by 2024.
COURSES FOR CERTIFICATE: |
All of these 12 hours are required—
FNU 104: Fundamentals of Nutrition
AFE 405: Research & Extension in Nutrition
AFE 416: Society & Nutrition
AFE 417: Modern Nutrition & Disease
Students must receive a “C” in these courses.
To learn more, contact:
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Undergraduate Certification Programs Table of Contents
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE SYSTEMS |
The Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture Systems is an undergraduate, career-focused educational opportunity that prepares learners from all backgrounds for careers focusing on the sustainability of agriculture practices and alternative production practices. Classes provide knowledge on soil and energy inputs and the future of the agriculture industry. This course work supplies a solid background for students interested in gaining knowledge of sustainable agriculture and the issues being faced in agriculture production today.
COURSES FOR CERTIFICATE: |
Required courses—
AFE 334: Soil Science
AFE 340: Environmental Science & Agroecology
AFE 425: Organic Crop & Livestock Production
AFE 445: Agriculture & Energy
Select one class from the list provided–
AFE 407: Agroforestry
AFE 435: Urban Agriculture
AFE 442: Plant Propagation
AFE 443: Apiculture/Pollination Biology
Students must receive a “C” in these courses.
To learn more, contact:
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Undergraduate Certification Programs Table of Contents
Business & Management |
The Certificate in Agriculture Business is an undergraduate, career-focused educational opportunity that focuses on management
and marketing aspects of the agriculture industry. In partnership with the university’s
School of Business, courses will prepare students for careers in agriculture management,
business and/or marketing. This certificate provides students the background they
need for a greater understanding of and professional positions supporting the issues
that the
agriculture industry faces currently and those that will be faced in the future. The
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates an expected growth of 5-7% for positions
in agriculture and related fields by 2024.
COURSES FOR CERTIFICATE: |
All of these 12 hours are require—
AFE 215: Agriculture Management
AFE 426: Principles of Ag Economics & Marketing
ACC 301: Principles of Accounting
MGT 465: Entrepreneurship
Students must receive a “C” in these courses.
To learn more, contact:
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Undergraduate Certification Programs Table of Contents
Animal agriculture |
The Certificate In Animal Agriculture is an undergraduate, career-focused educational opportunity that gives a more in-depth preparation for students who are interested in a greater focus in livestock, animals, and agriculture production. This certificate program is designed to assist students in obtaining the training and experience needed for improved employability in animal agriculture and related businesses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates an expected growth of 6% in animal science Jobs by 2026.
COURSES FOR CERTIFICATE: |
Required courses-
AFE 211: Introduction to Animal Science
AFE 307: Animal Nutrition
AFE 309: Livestock Reproduction
AFE 415: Livestock Production Practices
Select one class from the list provided-
AFE 215: Agribusiness Management
AFE 426: Agricultural Economics and Marketing
ECO 201: Principles of Economics
Students must receive a “C” in these courses.
To learn more, contact:
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