SCA Skills Diplomas
Demonstrate your expertise and readiness for industry leadership with an SCA Skills Diploma, designed to recognize comprehensive knowledge across key areas of specialty coffee
Four Specializations, One Global Standard
The SCA Skills Diploma program offers focused pathways that align with key industry roles. Each diploma combines advanced-level learning with foundational coursework to ensure comprehensive knowledge and practical skills.
Café Diploma
Creating, preparing, and promoting specialty coffee experiences.
Roastery Diploma
Development, production, and quality assurance of roasted coffee.
Coffee Trade Diploma
Handling, evaluation, and trade of green coffee.
Sustainable Coffee Diploma
Developing and implementing best practices to promote sustainability.
How to Build Your Diploma
1) Plan Your Path
Review the specific courses needed for your chosen diploma path and identify which certificates you already hold.
2) Build Your Skills
Book and complete any outstanding required certificates. Gain hands-on experience through structured learning and practical assessments.
3) Get Your Diploma
Submit your diploma application through your SCA learner portal. Receive your diploma and join a global network of coffee experts.
Café Diploma
Lead café operations and deliver exceptional coffee experiences. Perfect for café managers and baristas seeking advanced skills in coffee preparation, customer service, and retail operations.
Completed all the modules? Apply now to earn your Café Diploma and showcase your expertise!
Required Certificates:
Barista Skills
Coffee Skills
Foundation
Barista Skills
Coffee Skills
Intermediate
Barista Skills
Coffee Skills
Professional
Brewing
Coffee Skills
Foundation
Brewing
Coffee Skills
Intermediate
Brewing
Coffee Skills
Professional
Roasting
Coffee Skills
Foundation
Sensory Skills
Coffee Skills
Foundation
Coffee Sustainability Foundation
Coffee Sustainability
Water and Preventive Maintenance
Technicians
Foundation
Roastery Diploma
Master coffee roasting and production management. Ideal for roasters who want to excel in profile development, quality control, and roastery operations.
Completed all the modules? Apply now to earn your Roastery Diploma and showcase your expertise!
Required Certificates:
Brewing
Coffee Skills
Foundation
Green Coffee
Coffee Skills
Foundation
Roasting
Coffee Skills
Foundation
Roasting
Coffee Skills
Intermediate
Roasting
Coffee Skills
Professional
Sensory Skills
Coffee Skills
Foundation
Sensory Skills
Coffee Skills
Intermediate
Sensory Skills
Coffee Skills
Professional
Coffee Sustainability Foundation
Coffee Sustainability
Water and Preventive Maintenance
Technicians
Foundation
Trade Diploma
Specialize in green coffee sourcing and evaluation. Designed for coffee buyers, traders, and quality control professionals who focus on coffee selection and trade.
Completed all the modules? Apply now to earn your Trade Diploma and showcase your expertise!
Required Certificates:
Brewing
Coffee Skills
Foundation
Roasting
Coffee Skills
Foundation
Green Coffee
Coffee Skills
Foundation
Green Coffee
Coffee Skills
Intermediate
Green Coffee
Coffee Skills
Professional
Sensory Skills
Coffee Skills
Foundation
Sensory Skills
Coffee Skills
Intermediate
Sensory Skills
Coffee Skills
Professional
Coffee Sustainability Foundation
Coffee Sustainability
Water and Preventive Maintenance
Technicians
Foundation
Sustainable Coffee Diploma
Drive sustainability across the coffee value chain. Built for professionals who want to implement effective sustainability programs and lead industry change.
Completed all the modules? Apply now to earn your Sustainable Coffee Diploma and showcase your expertise!
Required Certificates:
Green Coffee
Coffee Skills
Foundation
Green Coffee
Coffee Skills
Professional
Barista Skills
Coffee Skills
Foundation
Roasting
Coffee Skills
Foundation
Sensory Skills
Coffee Skills
Foundation
Coffee Sustainability Foundation
Coffee Sustainability
Water and Preventive Maintenance
Technicians
Foundation
Climate & Coffee
Coffee Sustainability
Coffee Economics
Coffee Sustainability
Governance, Compliance & Reporting
Coffee Sustainability
Changes To The 100-Point Diploma
The 100-Point Diploma system ended in 2023, but existing diplomas remain valid. Your earned points can now count toward our new Skills Diplomas.
Find Available Courses
Know which certificate program and level you want to take? Use our Course Finder to browse upcoming courses in your region.
FAQs
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Certificate Programs are individual courses that teach specific skills - like how to make espresso or roast coffee. You earn a certificate after completing each course.
Skills Diplomas prove you're job-ready for specific coffee careers. They combine multiple certificates to show you have all the skills needed for roles like café manager or coffee trader. As SCA Education courses are modular, each certificate course contributes towards your eligibility to one of the Skills Diplomas. Each Skills Diploma requires a combination of certificates across our Certificate Programs – the Coffee Skills Program, Coffee Sustainability Program, and Coffee Technicians Program.
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With modular courses, you can start anywhere and be on track towards a rewarding coffee career. A popular certificate course that gives a solid foundation is the Introduction to Coffee module within the Coffee Skills Program.
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Most courses combine online theory with in-person practical training. Some foundation-level content can be fully online, but all practical skills require hands-on assessment.
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Use the SCA Course Finder on our website. Enter your location to see the latest courses in your area.
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Each diploma needs a specific mix of certificates across all of the three SCA Certificate Programs – the Coffee Skills Program, Coffee Sustainability Program, and Coffee Technicians Program. Check the requirements for your chosen diploma path on the SCA Skills Diploma page.
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All SCA courses are taught exclusively by certified Authorized SCA Trainers (ASTs). Each trainer sets their own pricing, so check the Course Finder to see current costs and dates in your area.
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Yes, all valid SCA certificates count toward Skills Diploma requirements, including those earned before 2024.