Brand-New: SCA Skills Diploma

Recognizing job readiness in the specialty coffee industry.

A new set of diplomas that give you in-depth knowledge and practical experience you can immediately apply in an industry setting.  

Each diploma requires a combination of advanced level learning and foundational coursework.  Explore each diploma below to learn about their specific focus and required courses.  

Have you completed your diploma’s requirements? Apply here

SCA Café Diploma

This collection of courses is designed to prepare the learner for leadership in creating, preparing, and promoting specialty coffee experiences, while communicating with customers and colleagues about the retailer’s role in promoting a more sustainable coffee industry.  

  • Coffee Skills Program

    • Barista Skills

      • Foundation

      • Intermediate

      • Professional

    • Brewing

      • Foundation

      • Intermediate

      • Professional

    • Roasting

      • Foundation

    • Sensory Skills

      • Foundation

    Coffee Sustainability Program

    • Foundation

    Coffee Technicians Program

    • Water and Preventive Maintenance

      • Foundation

SCA Roastery Diploma

This collection of courses is designed to prepare the learner for leadership in the development, production and quality assurance of roasted coffee; while communicating with customers and colleagues about the roaster’s role in promoting a more sustainable coffee industry.  

  • Coffee Skills Program

    • Brewing

      • Foundation

    • Green Coffee

      • Foundation

    • Roasting

      • Foundation

      • Intermediate

      • Professional

    • Sensory Skills

      • Foundation

      • Intermediate

      • Professional

    Coffee Sustainability Program

    • Foundation

    Coffee Technicians Program

    • Water and Preventive Maintenance

      • Foundation

SCA Coffee Trade Diploma

This collection of courses is designed to prepare the learner for leadership in the handling, evaluation, and trade of green coffee; while communicating with customers and colleagues about their role in promoting a more sustainable coffee industry.  

  • Coffee Skills Program

    • Brewing

      • Foundation

    • Green Coffee

      • Foundation

      • Intermediate

      • Professional

    • Roasting

      • Foundation

    • Sensory Skills

      • Foundation

      • Intermediate

      • Professional

    Coffee Sustainability Program

    • Foundation

    Coffee Technicians Program

    • Water and Preventive Maintenance

      • Foundation

SCA Sustainable Coffee Diploma

This collection of courses is designed to prepare the learner for leadership in the development and implementation of best practices and special projects that promote a more sustainable coffee industry, while having a broad understanding of the skills applied in different sectors of the supply chain.  

  • Coffee Skills Program

    • Barista Skills

      • Foundation

    • Green Coffee

      • Foundation

      • Intermediate

      • Professional

    • Roasting

      • Foundation

    • Sensory Skills

      • Foundation

    Coffee Sustainability Program

    • Foundation

    • Intermediate

    • Professional

    Coffee Technicians Program

    • Water and Preventive Maintenance

      • Foundation

The Retired SCA Coffee Diploma (100-point Diploma)

With the launch of the SCA Skills Diplomas, the former SCA Coffee Diploma (100-Point Diploma) was retired on December 31, 2023. The 100-Point Diploma remained available for an extended transition period throughout 2023. Now, the SCA Skills Diploma has completely replaced the 100-Point Diploma.

Even though the SCA Coffee Diploma has been retired, it is still recognized and celebrated by the Specialty Coffee Association as a valid representation of a learner’s achievement.

All certificates in a learner’s course history will count toward the new SCA Skills Diplomas.