Students tasting during a Cabrillo College Wine Studies class.
New Credit for Prior Learning Pathway Accelerates Wine Studies Pathways for Students
Cabrillo College is the first community college in California to award college credit for Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) certifications. Through the state’s Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) program, the pathway creates opportunities for both aspiring and established wine professionals.
Students who take classes in Cabrillo College’s Wine Program, which includes an Associate in Science degree and a Certificate of Achievement in wine studies, can leverage existing WSET certifications to obtain their degree or certificate. In addition, current wine professionals who hold WSET certifications can receive credit towards a degree or certificate.
“This program fast-tracks the completion of degrees and certifications to help students reduce costs and advance their careers,” said Deborah Parker Wong, DipWSET, associate instructor in wine studies. “I’m proud Cabrillo College is the first to offer a pathway that awards academic equivalency for wine industry trade certifications. With the A.S. degree, students can complete a four-year wine studies program at a UC or CSU in record time.”
WSET’s Level 3 Award in Wines is an advanced, globally recognized certification that provides an in-depth understanding of production factors, regions, and business dynamics shaping global wine style, quality, and price. To earn the certification, students must pass a rigorous two-part exam consisting of a theory paper and a blind wine tasting.
Success at Cabrillo College
“Through this program, I achieved an academic degree with the help of my trade certification, which made it easier for me to find jobs in the wine industry,” said Celeste Leon, who earned both a degree and a certificate in Wine Studies. “Cabrillo College’s wine program teaches the Systematic Approach to Tasting, which I used to analyze over 200 wines for customers in my wine club. The program also teaches wine styles in the most notable wine growing regions in the world. I can now share my knowledge with clients and consumers, make excellent recommendations for purchasing wine, and order excellent quality for value wines in my retail job.”
Just two years ago, Cabrillo College announced the introduction of its inaugural Wine Studies Associate in Science degree in 2024. The CPL equivalency for WSET trade certification marks the next milestone that underscores Cabrillo College’s commitment to fostering educational pathways aligned with burgeoning industry demands.
“We currently have half a dozen graduates and several more in the pipeline. Celeste will be our first to use CPL to complete the degree and a certificate,” said Parker Wong.
Leon began taking wine studies classes at Cabrillo College in spring 2024. During that time, she also earned the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 Award in Wines in spring 2026. Leon is the first student to apply her certification to fulfill the remaining units needed to complete an A.S. degree and a certificate of achievement.
Leon was formerly a physical therapist who transitioned into the wine industry (which was always her love!) after sustaining a serious shoulder injury at work that curtailed her PT career. It was serendipity and propelled her to start something new. She is a wine steward and wine club manager of over 400 members for the Truckee Grocery Outlet. She is also a tasting room associate at Truckee River Winery and contributing writer to the Tahoe Quarterly, where she writes feature articles about wine and the wine industry.
“By assisting with winemaking at Truckee River Winery, I made the transition from the classroom to the barrel room. I was duly impressed with the exceptional quality of education at Cabrillo College and the dedication of the faculty,” said Leon.
Cabrillo College Foundation President Julie Thiebaut is an alumnus of the wine studies program. “I took my first wine class at Cabrillo College after retiring early from years as an executive in financial services. I didn’t know much about wine,” said Thiebaut. “Three friends and I decided to take an Intro to Wine class. That first class piqued my interest, then my passion and that turned into three classes, then five, then eight, and then certifications.”
Thiebaut has since gone on to judge wine competitions, consult and work for numerous wineries, and serve on the advisory board for the Cabrillo College Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management program.
“As a graduate of Cabrillo College’s excellent wine program, I can attest to the doors that certification has opened. This new CPL initiative builds on that and will benefit students even more. I’m pleased to see that Cabrillo College is out in front on initiating this in the state of California,” said Thiebaut.
This recognition was made possible through the California Community Colleges (CCC) Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Initiative, a state-funded program that awards students academic credit for verified skills and knowledge acquired outside the traditional classroom. Guided by the system’s strategic plan, the initiative aims to help at least 250,000 working adults, apprentices, and military veterans receive credits by 2030 to accelerate degree completion and improve economic mobility.
Cabrillo College is building capacity for CPL across career education fields, including Accounting, Fire Technology, Construction, HVACR, Culinary, and Computer Technology. Learn more about CPL courses on the Credit for Prior Learning dashboard.
About Cabrillo College
Cabrillo College is a leading California community college serving Santa Cruz County with locations in Aptos and Watsonville. It is ranked #1 in transfers to UC Santa Cruz. Founded in 1959, the college offers over 300 academic and career technical education programs that serve educational goals, like A.A. and A.S. degrees, certificates, transfer to 4-year institutions, or for lifelong learning and personal enrichment. With a commitment to quality and equity, Cabrillo College connects all learners to pathways that propel them from where they are to where they aspire to be, including: academic, personal, and career growth.