Cannabis Plant Biology Professional Certificate

Participants must verify that they are 18 years of age or older, have a bachelor’s degree, and have completed college-level foundational science courses in Biology. Note that you are not required to submit transcripts and relevant career experience can replace academic requirements. For example, experience as a Registered Nurse will void the science course requirement.

This course is an academic course based on scientific literature. If you do not meet the prerequisites, you will need to prepare and demonstrate baseline academic skills on your own, including critical thinking, objectivity, data analysis, and problem solving. Please note the estimated time commitment of 8-10 hours per week is projected based on meeting these prerequisites.

If you are motivated and feel confident in your ability to succeed in this program, you can request instructor permission to participate. To request instructor permission, please email a brief explanation of your qualifications for this program to learn@uvm.edu with the subject line “Cannabis Plant Biology Certificate Instructor Permission Request.”

The Professional Certificate in Cannabis Plant Biology is based on the same theory as Cannabis Science & Medicine, but rather than focusing on how the cannabis plant affects the human body, the focus is on how products are made (i.e. how cannabis is grown and turned into therapeutic products).

Both certificates are based on the same theory and cover cannabis history, law, policy, business, and basic human pharmacology.

• Cannabis Plant Biology dives into what affects the way cannabis is grown, the chemicals it produces, harvesting, storage, shelf life of consumer products, and consumer safety.
• Cannabis Science & Medicine goes into depth about how cannabis is affecting the human body.
• If you are interested in taking both courses, it is best to take the Cannabis Plant Biology course first.

Our 8-week, online professional certificate is designed for:

•     Directors of Extraction
•     Directors of Cultivation
•     Compliance Managers
•     Retail Sales Management
•     Dispensary Store Managers
•     Outside Sales Representatives
•     Grow House Managers
•     Quality Controllers
•     Lab Technicians

●      Master Growers

We estimate that students will spend an average of 8-10 hours a week on course instruction. This will be a combination of readings, viewings, discussion boards, assignments, and research.

Live sessions are on Thursdays from 1-2pm EST. Live sessions will be recorded and attendance is not mandatory. These sessions will be used to discuss key concepts related to the modules, to ask questions of faculty, and to share peer-to-peer knowledge on the topic. Live sessions may be added or canceled at the discretion of the instructor.

Please note students enrolled in either Professional Certificate in Cannabis Plant Biology course or Cannabis Science and Medicine Professional Certificate course are welcome to participate in all live sessions.

There is no required textbook for this Certificate. All course readings and assignments will be regularly distributed online to students via Brightspace.

Learn about options for discounts, grants, loans, scholarships, and more on our tuition and financial aid page.

Students may register by paying the full $2,250 program fee online via credit card or by calling us at 802-656-8407 to make a partial payment of $500. Should you make a partial payment, the remaining $1,750 must be paid in full no later than two weeks prior to the start of this offering. If payment is not received by then, you will automatically be dropped from the course the following business day. Refunds will be issued less a $25 cancellation fee.

Payment plans are not currently available for this program. Tuition must be paid in full two weeks prior to beginning the program.

If you need to cancel your attendance, you must notify us via email at learn@uvm.edu or call us at (802) 656-2085 at least three business days prior to the start date of the course to receive a full refund, less a $25 cancellation fee. If a medical condition necessitates cancellation/withdrawal (documentation to be provided), this will be reviewed by our Studies Committee for any type of refund.

1098-T forms are not issued for this program. However, you may be eligible for a tax credit without this form if you meet IRS requirements. For more information, please see this link or consult with a tax professional.h.

You will be assessed on your attendance and participation in class, completion of homework assignments, and comprehension of the course material. Some assignments may be project based, along with online student discussions, and readings. The instructor may also give a quiz periodically to assess comprehension of the material. Students must successfully participate in 70% of the program in order to receive a printed Certificate of Completion. Because this is a non-credit program there is no transcript.

If you are a non-credit student seeking accessibility support, please email access@uvm.edu and the UVM Student Accessibility Services team will be able to assist. In your email, please include that you do not have a 95 number/NetID.

• Have questions about taking an online or distance education course? Visit the Online and Distance Education FAQ page
• Have more basic questions about Professional and Distance Education? Visit our About US and FAQs page