The cannabis business sector is one of the fastest growing in the world. In fact, global sales may surpass $33 billion by 2025! Positive public sentiment and increased legalization push throughout the US is the primary driver for growth in this industry. Online cannabis degree programs can equip modern students with the skills and knowledge necessary to start cannabis businesses or work in existing dispensaries as employees.
Fortunately, there are plenty of accessible online cannabis degree programs you can pursue. Read on for more information about cannabis degrees and certificates and learn which online cannabis educational pathways are most worthwhile.
Article Navigation: What is Cannabis? | Online Cannabis Degree Programs | How To Choose The Right Program | Top Cannabis Schools Online | Certifications & Licenses in the Cannabis Industry | What Can I Do with This Degree? | Professional Organizations | FAQs | Apply to a Cannabis College Program Today!
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis, or marijuana, is a recreational and medicinal drug created from the dried flowers, leaves, seeds, and stems of the plants Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica. Cannabis is most often enjoyed as a relaxing and recreational drug. It is illegal in some states but is becoming legal in more areas of the US as time passes.
What is a Cannabis Online Degree?
A cannabis online degree is a credential proving your knowledge about the cannabis industry, including but not limited to:
- How to grow cannabis
- How cannabis strains are different from each other
- The rules and regulations surrounding the cannabis industry
Cannabis Degrees vs. Cannabis Certificates
To begin with, cannabis degrees are more in-depth and take longer, often including more credit hours. Many also focus more on the business or research-related aspects of cannabis growth or sales. However, cannabis certificates are shorter and more concentrated.
How is a Cannabis Studies Minor Different from a Cannabis Studies Certificate?
Cannabis studies minors are different from cannabis studies certificates because minors accompany full degrees. For example, you can acquire an online MBA with a cannabis studies minor to get the skills necessary to start and run a marijuana dispensary business. A cannabis studies certificate may not include business classes like an MBA.
Online Cannabis Degree Programs
Many online cannabis degree programs share certain core similarities.
What To Expect
Generally, an online cannabis degree program will focus on what cannabis is, how it affects the body, how to grow it, and how the various strains differ. Cannabis education programs may include concentrations or classes about cannabis businesses and laws and regulations surrounding legal cannabis sales.
Courses
Depending on your degree program and its concentration, you may take online cannabis courses like:
- The history of cannabis horticulture
- Cannabis horticulture practices and principles
- Cannabis strains
- US cannabis laws and regulations
Admission Requirements for Online Cannabis Degree Programs
Most online cannabis degree programs have standard admission requirements, such as:
- A minimum GPA of 2.5 to 3.0
- One or more letters of recommendation
- A high school diploma or equivalent
Note that some advanced degree or certificate programs may also require you to have some experience in the cannabis industry as a dispensary operator or retail worker.
Acquired Skills
In an online cannabis degree program, you’ll acquire skills related to cannabis horticulture and business operations. You’ll also learn much more about cannabis laws and regulations, so you will know what is and is not legal in your state.
Timeline
Most online cannabis degrees and certificates take anywhere from one to four years to complete, depending on the degree level or the certificate’s credits.
Paying for Your Online Cannabis Degree Programs
Fortunately, many online cannabis degree programs are more affordable than they initially appear. Many of the best schools include scholarship or financial aid opportunities you should consider taking advantage of.
Cost
Always consider cost first and foremost. In general, out-of-state degree programs are more expensive than in-state programs.
How To Choose The Right Program
Choosing an online cannabis degree program means considering a few key factors, so you pick the right program for your needs:
Admission Requirements
Be sure to check the admission requirements as well. Most cannabis degree programs require you to have a minimum GPA, some experience in the industry, or letters of recommendation.
Program Format
Some cannabis degree programs are 100% online, while others are hybrid and require some in-person attendance. Be sure you know what your chosen program requires before applying.
Accreditation
You’ll want your online cannabis degree program to be offered by an accredited university. Accreditation means that the cannabis education online program is academically acceptable and provides up-to-date, accurate information.
Certification Opportunities
Some cannabis degree programs offer cannabis certification online opportunities. These allow you to specialize your professional credentials further or pursue specific career paths in the broader cannabis industry.
Degree Level
Lastly, be sure to consider the degree level you want to pursue. Master’s degrees in business or cannabis studies are often required for research positions or for those who wish to successfully start dispensary businesses.
Top Cannabis Schools Online
You’re in luck if you want to grow weed legally or work in cannabis research. You can pursue many different quality online cannabis degree programs at various academic levels.
Undergraduate Certificates
Let’s start with undergraduate certificates. Undergraduate cannabis certificates are ideal for those who don’t have a college degree and want to work at a dispensary or start a business selling cannabis. Education credentials may be required in a state that mandates a proven practical knowledge of cannabis horticulture.
1. Saint Louis University
Accreditation: HLC
Program Offered: Certificate in Cannabis Science & Operations
Program Duration: 1 year
Saint Louis University’s cannabis science and operations certificate is perfect for future employees of cannabis dispensaries. It covers topics ranging from cannabis cultivation to growing to producing and more.
The program is notable for its multiple start dates, and its courses are available in eight-week terms. Thus, it’s a very flexible and accessible online cannabis certificate program ideal for working adults. The program requires a high school diploma or GED and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
2. University of Rhode Island
Accreditation: AACSB
Program Offered: Certificate in Cannabis Studies
Program Duration: 6-8 months
The University of Rhode Island’s cannabis studies certificate includes four 3-credit courses. It is ideal for those pursuing a foundation in cannabis studies. Topics covered include the evaluation of cannabis therapeutic potential, natural product separation and analysis, and product development and manufacturing.
Multiple start dates are available, and students can complete the program in as few as two semesters. It is 100% asynchronous, and classes are conducted over seven-week modules.
Graduate Certificates
Graduate certificates are perfect for those with bachelor’s degrees (in business, cannabis studies, or something else). They equip students with further business-related information for cannabis horticulture and operations. They could be perfect for you if you want to start a successful cannabis business and already have a business-related degree.
1. Thomas Jefferson University
Accreditation: MSACS
Program Offered: Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Business
Program Duration: 6-8 months
Thomas Jefferson University’s graduate certificate in cannabis business provides graduates with the knowledge and skills they need to create a thriving cannabis operation. Over the program’s duration, students will understand the economic impacts of cannabis, plus learn how to design and manage projects related to the cannabis industry.
Students can count this certificate toward Thomas Jefferson University’s MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Business. Those who aren’t sure about their future academic paths can take one or two courses as non-degree students to try out the program themselves.
2. Rowan University
Accreditation: MSCHE
Program Offered: Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Commercialization
Program Duration: 1-2 years
Rowan University offers a cannabis commercialization graduate certificate that equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to commercialize cannabis-related products, like new cannabis strains. This certificate is valuable as a standalone credential and a stepping stone toward a master’s degree, such as an MBA.
Interested students can transfer all the credits from this certificate to Rowan University’s MBA program with a cannabis commercialization concentration. Regardless, the certificate program includes three courses and nine credits in total. It can be completed in as little as one to two years.
3. Excelsior College
Accreditation: MSCHE
Program Offered: Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control
Program Duration: 1-2 years
Excelsior College’s graduate certificate in cannabis control requires a related bachelor’s degree for admission. Students will benefit from an interdisciplinary program that prepares them to interact with regulatory and authoritative bodies surrounding the cannabis industry, such as lawmakers and company stakeholders.
The program is notable as it prepares graduates for operating as cannabis business leaders, regulators, or policymakers. Students can complete the program in six months, and courses begin every eight weeks. It is nine credits or three courses in total. Course topics include:
- Risk assessments in cannabis control
- Complexities of cannabis as commerce
- Implications of the legalization of cannabis
4. University of Colorado Denver
Accreditation: HLC
Program Offered: Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Science & Medicine
Program Duration: 1-2 years
The University of Colorado’s Denver campus offers an online graduate certificate in cannabis science and medicine comprised of nine credit hours. Courses cover therapeutics, legal and regulatory issues surrounding cannabis use, and pharmacology.
Students have the option to complete two extra credit hours, which revolve around chemical analysis for all plant-based medicines. Those who complete this certificate program can apply their credits toward an MS degree from the same school. This program is ideal if you want to proceed into the healthcare industry or offer cannabis products in a pharmaceutical context to customers.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
Post-baccalaureate certificates are perfect for those who have a bachelor’s degree in a field unrelated to the cannabis industry but who wish to transition their careers into this field.
1. Maryland University of Integrative Health
Accreditation: MSCHE
Program Offered: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Cannabis Science: Therapeutics, Product Design & Quality Assurance
Program Duration: 1 year
The Marilyn University of Integrative Health offers a certificate in cannabis science with various focuses on topics. It’s 15 credits and takes three trimesters or approximately one year to complete. Students can choose to enter in the fall or spring, but all students complete the program 100% online.
The program’s topics address hemp-based, CBD-dominant dietary supplements and wellness products. It also covers recreational marijuana and THC-dominant medical products that can be commercialized and regulated safely. The program is designed for students who want to know how to participate in or support the cannabis industry while accounting for health effects, safety, and quality assurance.
2. Saint Louis University
Accreditation: HLC
Program Offered: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Medical Cannabis Science & Therapeutic Management
Program Duration: 1-2 years
Saint Louis University’s online post-baccalaureate certificate for medical cannabis science is ideal for future cannabis business owners. It can be completed in four courses or 12 credits total, and each class is taught by industry expert faculty. Students will learn the scientific evidence to support claims for using medical cannabis to help different health conditions.
This 100% online degree’s courses are offered in eight-week terms. Completion of the program allows students to transfer their credits to a master’s degree. This post-baccalaureate medical cannabis certification could be perfect for future cannabis pharmacists, nurses, physicians, social workers, dispensary operators, and more.
Master’s Degrees
There are several online master’s degrees related to the cannabis industry. These are ideal for those who want to open cannabis dispensaries or related businesses.
1. Excelsior College
Accreditation: MSCHE
Program Offered: Master of Business Administration/Cannabis Control
Program Duration: 1-3 years
Excelsior College’s MBA offers a concentration in Cannabis Control. This concentration gives graduates the tools to start and run cannabis businesses like dispensaries while accounting for regulations and quality assurance needs.
Coursework can be completed in as little as one year and is 100% online. It’s easy to apply for, and every class is taught by expert faculty. Students will complete 33 credit hours over the MBA’s duration, some of which are MBA core courses that tackle business and management topics.
2. University of Maryland-Baltimore
Accreditation: MSCHE
Program Offered: Master of Science in Medical Cannabis Science & Therapeutics
Program Duration: 2-3 years
The University of Maryland’s Baltimore campus offers an MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics. The programming equips students with the knowledge necessary to research cannabis in a medical context, develop medical cannabis policies, and support patients in the medical cannabis industry.
It is two years and blends online instruction with in-person experiences, so it’s not 100% online. Nevertheless, the in-person requirements, like live symposia, offer networking opportunities that could help future cannabis business owners.
3. University of Colorado Denver
Accreditation: HLC
Program Offered: Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences – Cannabis Science and Medicine
Program Duration: 2-2 years
The University of Colorado’s MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences allows students to tailor their degree concentration toward cannabis studies and operations. This flexible degree program includes 10 hours of core curriculum classes plus 20 to 26 credit hours in one’s chosen specialty track.
The cannabis science and medicine concentration takes two years to complete. It provides healthcare professionals and scientists with the skills they need to perform clinical research on medicinal cannabis plants. Students must have a 3.0 GPA from an accredited college or university, a written statement of interest, and three letters of recommendation.
Certifications & Licenses in the Cannabis Industry
Many of the above schools offer cannabis certificates or certificate programs. These provide extra knowledge related to the cannabis industry or cannabis science and research. They can equip you to open your own cannabis-related business or acquire a research position in this industry.
However, some cannabis positions at existing businesses, like head marijuana dispensary horticulturalists, require you to prove your knowledge practically through acquiring different certifications and licenses.
Certificates
According to the National Career Certification Board, some of the most crucial cannabis career certifications to pursue include:
Licenses
Every state has its own marijuana business licensure requirements. For example, California has a state-run portal where you can sign up to license your marijuana business. Check your state’s business license requirements if you plan to open up a marijuana dispensary or research firm in the future.
What Can I Do with This Degree?
An online cannabis degree or certificate can equip you for various career opportunities as a business owner, dispensary operator, or something else.
Career Outlook
The cannabis industry has produced many jobs in recent years. According to reports, the sector added over 107,000 new jobs in 2021 alone. Therefore, getting a cannabis degree or certificate could result in excellent career stability for your professional future.
Career Paths
Once you have cannabis-related certification, you can follow many different career paths.
Jobs
With a cannabis degree or certificate, you can open up your own business selling medicinal or recreational marijuana (provided you live in a state where that is legal). Alternatively, you can work as a medical researcher, adding to research about the medicinal or therapeutic effects of marijuana and hemp.
Suppose you just want to work in the industry. In that case, you can join an existing dispensary and work as a packager, shipper, retail worker, etc.
Salaries
The average salaries for those working in the marijuana industry can vary dramatically. Packagers and similar retail workers earn about $14-$20 an hour. However, cannabis business vice presidents or executives can earn up to $140,000 or much more – some vice presidents of retail operations, for example, earn up to $200,000 annually.
You might instead opt for a research-oriented position. In that case, you could earn up to $95,000 yearly.
Continuing Education
Once you have a cannabis certificate, you can often apply those credits to a master’s degree in business administration or medicinal cannabis research.
Professional Organizations
You might wish to take advantage of major academic and business professional organizations related to the cannabis industry, including:
- American Herbal Products Association (AHPA)
- California Cannabis Industry Association
- Society of Cannabis Clinicians (SCC)
- American Cannabis Nurses Association
- Doctors for Cannabis Regulation (DFCR)
- Global Alliance for Cannabis Commerce (GACC)
- Association of Cannabis Specialist
- Cannabis Certification Council
FAQs
What to major in to own a dispensary?
If you want to own a dispensary, you should major in business administration with a concentration in cannabis commercialization.
How to get into the weed industry
To get into the weed industry, acquire a cannabis certificate and start working at a local dispensary.
How to become a legal grower
To become a legal grower, acquire a cannabis certificate so you know how to grow marijuana safely. Then apply for a business license in a state with legal marijuana sales.
Is Oaksterdam University accredited?
No. Unfortunately, that means students can only earn certificates from this school, not full-on, accredited degrees.
What do you learn in cannabis studies?
In cannabis studies programs, you learn how to make or grow cannabis strains and follow the laws and regulations surrounding this industry.
Will an online cannabis education certificate increase your chances of getting a job?
An online cannabis certificate can increase your chances of getting a job in the industry, depending on which position you pursue.
Who should take a cannabis certificate online program?
You should take a cannabis online certificate program if you want to start your own business or work in the cannabis industry.
Is there an internship required with a cannabis certificate?
Most cannabis certificates do not require an internship or prior experience in the industry.
Do I need a degree to take the cannabis studies certificate?
No, cannabis studies certificates don’t require a degree in cannabis studies or horticulture.
How long does a cannabis certificate program take?
Most cannabis certificate programs take less than two years, with many taking less than one year to complete.
What is the Cannabis & Hemp Research Initiative at Stockton?
This unique initiative was founded at Stockton University to prioritize and conduct hemp cultivation research. It also offers nonmedical research opportunities to cannabis-related businesses, like dispensaries.
Apply to a Cannabis College Program Today!
The right online cannabis degree program or certificate program could be just what you need to start your cannabis business or jump into this rapidly growing industry. Rely on GetEducated’s extensive resources and online school catalog to find the perfect online educational resource for your professional goals!