ADVANCE YOUR CAREER WITH

SCA DIPLOMAS

SCA Diplomas are built for real roles in the coffee industry. By combining certificates across different areas, they help you develop the skills needed to succeed in specific careers, whether that's managing a café, working in roasting, or sourcing green coffee.

Overview Diplomas Q Grader Coffee Business Education Master of Speciality Coffee

Why earn an SCA Diploma?

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Why earn an SCA Diploma?

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VP one

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VP two

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VP three

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  • “A professional team that delivers on their promises.”

  • “Their attention to detail and commitment to quality truly stood out.”

  • “Every detail was thoughtfully executed. We're thrilled with the outcome.”

Meet the Team

  • Monet Goode

    FOUNDER

    With a vision for building something meaningful, our founder brings a blend of big-picture thinking and hands-on experience.
    They set the tone for everything we do.

  • Emmett Marsh

    SALES MANAGER

    Focused, approachable, and driven by results, our sales manager is all about building strong relationships. They help connect people to the right solutions—with clarity and care.

  • Eleanor Parks

    MARKETING DIRECTOR

    Creative and strategic in equal measure, our marketing director brings fresh ideas to every campaign. They turn insights into action and help our message resonate with the right audience.

  • Karl Holland

    CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

    Friendly, attentive, and always ready to help, our customer service manager ensures every interaction is a positive one. They keep communication clear, timely, and human.

  • James N., Head Barista & Trainer

    “The Café Skills Diploma gave me the language and the confidence to train my whole team. Six months after completing it, we doubled our revenue and opened a second site.”

  • Emmett Marsh

    SALES MANAGER

    Focused, approachable, and driven by results, our sales manager is all about building strong relationships. They help connect people to the right solutions—with clarity and care.

  • Eleanor Parks

    MARKETING DIRECTOR

    Creative and strategic in equal measure, our marketing director brings fresh ideas to every campaign. They turn insights into action and help our message resonate with the right audience.

  • Karl Holland

    CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

    Friendly, attentive, and always ready to help, our customer service manager ensures every interaction is a positive one. They keep communication clear, timely, and human.

Explore SCA Education Pathways

SCA offers education that supports different roles, goals, and stages in your coffee career.

Café Diploma

For those working in cafés or managing day-to-day service. Focuses on coffee preparation, workflow, and maintaining consistent quality in a service environment.

Roastery Diploma

For those working in roasting and production. Focuses on building consistency, managing quality, and understanding the full roasting process from green coffee to final profile.

Trade Diploma

For those working in cafés or managing day-to-day service. Focuses on coffee preparation, workflow, and maintaining consistent quality in a service environment.

Sustainable Coffee Diploma

For those working in cafés or managing day-to-day service. Focuses on coffee preparation, workflow, and maintaining consistent quality in a service environment.

How to earn your SCA Diploma

1

Choose Your Pathway

Select from certificates across brewing, roasting, green coffee, and sustainability. Choose a diploma pathway based on your interests, or start with individual courses that count toward a diploma as you progress.

2

Complete Your Training

Take part in a mix of hands-on and remote learning, delivered by Authorized SCA Trainers. The delivery method of your course will depend on your location and module, either in-person, online, or a mix of both.

The cost of your individual courses is also based on your region.

To get started, view the diploma pathways and log in or create an account to track your completion status.

View Diploma Pathways

3

Pass Your Assessment(s)

Demonstrate your knowledge and skills through practical and written assessments. Once you pass, you'll earn a globally recognized certificate and make progress toward an SCA Skills Diploma.

Browse SCA courses

The Diploma is made up of SCA courses across different areas of coffee. By completing courses at different levels, you build the knowledge and skills required to progress and earn points toward the Diploma.

If you're looking to build skills in a specific area, you can also choose to start with individual courses.

Explore courses

Learn more

FAQs

Q Grader

The Q Grader License is one of the most important credentials in specialty coffee, recognized globally across sourcing, roasting, and quality control.

It represents proof of a coffee professional's ability to evaluate, describe, and communicate coffee quality using internationally recognized standards, Coffee Value Assessment (CVA), and a shared industry vocabulary.

This course is designed for:

  • Coffee professionals working in quality control, sourcing, or roasting

  • Individuals with experience in cupping or sensory evaluation

  • Those looking to deepen their expertise in specialty coffee

If you're earlier in your coffee journey, SCA Coffee Skills courses such as Sensory Skills or Introduction to Coffee can help you build foundational knowledge before pursuing the Q Grader License.

What is the Q Grader license?

The Q Grader License is an internationally recognized credential for coffee professionals with experience in cupping and sensory analysis.

Issued by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), the license is awarded to individuals who successfully complete the Q Grader course and all required assessments.

The license is renewable every three years and requires continued professional development for renewal.

Upon completing the Q Grader course, you will:

1

2

3

4

Strengthen sensory analysis skills

Evaluate coffee using standardized methods

Improve accuracy and consistency in cupping

Develop a clear vocabulary to describe coffee quality

Career pathways for Q Graders

A Q Grader License can support a wide range of roles in the coffee industry, including:

Coffee Quality Analyst

Exporter or Importer

Green Coffee Buyer

Sensory Specialist

Roaster or Quality Lead

Q Instructor

(with additional certification)

The license strengthens professional credibility and opens opportunities across both producing and consuming markets.

How to become a Q Grader

The Q Grader Course runs over six days and is designed to assess a learner's readiness to evaluate coffee in a professional setting.

Rooted in the Coffee Value Assessment (CVA), the course enables experienced coffee professionals to assess coffee across its physical quality, flavor and aroma, overall cup quality, and origin characteristics.

Course Structure

Duration: 6 consecutive days

Focus: Sensory evaluation, cupping, and green coffee grading; Coffee Value Assessment (CVA)

Outcome: Q Grader license (valid for 3 years)

Assessments

9 total assessments: 8 practical evaluations and 1 written exam

Attempts: Two attempts allowed per assessment during the course

Requirement: All assessments must be passed to earn the Q Grader License

From 2026, learners can take a third attempt for individual practical exams after the course

License and Renewal

Validity: 3 years

Renewal: License must be renewed every three years through continued professional development

Note: Retaking the full six-day course is not required for renewal.

Sample schedule

Here's an example of how the Q Grader Course is typically structured across multiple days.

Day 1

Introduction to the Course

Cupping: Key Concepts and Skills

Introduction to Coffee Value Assessment

CVA Physical Assessment and Form

Day 4

Day 2

Introduction to the Course

Cupping: Key Concepts and Skills

Introduction to Coffee Value Assessment

CVA Physical Assessment and Form

Day 5

Day 3

Introduction to the Course

Cupping: Key Concepts and Skills

Introduction to Coffee Value Assessment

CVA Physical Assessment and Form

Day 6

Get started

Ready to take the Q Grader Course?

If you have experience in cupping and sensory analysis, are familiar with Coffee Value Assessment (CVA), and have a high level of sensory skill, you may be ready for the Q Grader Course.

Book a course

Already registered for a course?

If you have experience in cupping and sensory analysis, are familiar with Coffee Value Assessment (CVA), and have a high level of sensory skill, you may be ready for the Q Grader Course.

Book a course

Ready to take the Q Grader Course?

If you have experience in cupping and sensory analysis, are familiar with Coffee Value Assessment (CVA), and have a high level of sensory skill, you may be ready for the Q Grader Course.

Book a course