Barista Masterclass | July 25-27, 2026

Join us at DOCR Headquarters for our three-day Barista Masterclass!

The Barista Masterclass is DOCR Academy's most comprehensive offering, offering a three-day, certification-bearing program hosted at Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Headquarters + Cafe in Ferndale, Michigan. Spanning 24 hours of structured instruction across three consecutive days, the course covers the full scope of professional barista practice, espresso theory and execution, milk science and steaming, latte art, drink construction, bar flow, team coaching and equipment maintenance. It is the most complete pathway to DOCR Academy certification currently available.

Instruction moves between lecture and hands-on workshop throughout all three days, with direct access to Educators during each session. Students work both independently and alongside peers, developing not only technical proficiency but the ability to lead and support other baristas in a professional environment.

Each day runs from 9am-5pm with a one hour break. Students are encouraged to bring a notebook and to arrive with questions.

Upon completion, students will receive official DOCR Academy certification of completion suitable for display for the Espresso Masterclass curriculum, printed supplemental course materials, a special designed print to commemorate their time at the Academy, and a personalized letter of recommendation from DOCR's Education Department. Students may also cite DOCR Coffee Educators as professional references.

Barista Masterclass graduates are additionally invited to participate in quarterly check-ins with DOCR's EDU DEPT in the months following the course, providing continued access to our educators and industry connections as their careers develop.

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On the class agenda:

Day 1 — Espresso

• Coffee as a craft: context and history
• The specialty coffee movement and its standards
• Espresso defined: origins, mechanics, and purpose
• Extraction theory and the science of the shot
• Brewing variables and how to control them
• Building and refining an espresso recipe
• Hands-on espresso workshop

Day 2 — Milk and Espresso-Based Beverages

• Milk chemistry and its role in espresso-based drinks
• Steaming technique: structure, texture, and temperature
• Latte art theory and foundational pours
• Hands-on latte art workshop, with instruction available at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels based on student experience
• Drink construction and quality standards for espresso-based beverages

Day 3 — Bar Operations, Service, and Equipment

• Speed, efficiency, and bar readiness under service conditions
  Coaching baristas: how to lead and develop a team on shift
  Bar setup, workflow, and station organization
  Equipment training: grinder calibration and espresso machine maintenance