A BA in craft beer would be a pretty awesome thing to have on your college diploma. But while South Carolina isn’t quite there yet, one Lowcountry technical college is looking to give students an education in the brewing and distilling fields.

Last week, Horry-Georgetown Technical College in Conway received the OK to begin offering an associate degree in applied science with a major in brewing, distillation and fermentation. The program is expected to begin next year and would the first of its kind in the state.

“We’re the renegades here – there’s no other [brewing] program in the state,” said Marilyn Fore, the executive vice president for academic affairs at HGTC. “Every single comment to me about the program has been positive, and there’s excitement over the college offering not only a program that is going to provide students with a new kind of occupation, but one that is personally appealing to a lot of people.”

The five-semester culinary program would include hands-on experience at a local brewery or distribution facility. Students would have to be 21 to participate, and there are health and strength requirements as well. While the program still has to go through an approval process, HGTC officials believe the booming craft beer industry will show there is a need and desire for such a program.

You can read more about the degree here.