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Graduate Certificate

Medical Cannabis Graduate Certificate

Advance your career with a graduate certificate grounded in the science, manufacturing, quality assurance, and regulatory landscape of the medical cannabis industry.

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About the Online Graduate Certificate in Medical Cannabis

The medical cannabis market is expanding, creating new opportunities for professionals to meet the increasing demand across applied positions. Our Graduate Certificate in Medical Cannabis is designed to provide students with a broad range of knowledge and skills in research and development, analytical techniques, policy, and formulation within the cannabis industry.

This online asynchronous part-time program is fully accredited and recognized as part of the School of Pharmacy’s online M.S. in Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis. Credits earned from this one-year certificate program can be applied toward the online master’s program, making it easy to transition to advanced education.

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    Program Information

    Degree

    N/A

    Emphases

    Medical Cannabis

    Required Credit Hours

    12

    Program Type

    Program Location

    Online

    School

    School of Pharmacy

    Duration

    1 Year

    Are you ready to earn a graduate certificate?

    Learn more about earning an online graduate certificate at the University of Mississippi.

    Begin Your Journey

    This program is designed for entry and mid-level professionals seeking to advance their knowledge and career opportunities in manufacturing, research and development, regulatory affairs, quality control, formulation, and analytical chemistry within the medical cannabis industry. It is especially well-suited for:

    • Professionals in the medical cannabis industry are seeking advanced scientific and industry knowledge
    • Scientists and researchers interested in cannabinoid chemistry and related natural products research
    • Regulatory affairs professionals looking to deepen their understanding of industry standards and regulations
    • Working professionals aiming to transition into medical cannabis, product development, and research-focused careers

    Complete the Certificate in 1 Year

    Industry-Relevant

    Gain knowledge and skills directly applicable to the medical cannabis industry.

    Experienced and Research-Focused Faculty

    Learn from experienced professionals and researchers in the field.

    Flexible Course Selection

    With only one required course, you can choose any three of the remaining four to customize your learning experience.

    Applications to the Online Graduate Certificate in Medical Cannabis must be submitted through the Graduate School website. All materials must be submitted through the online application system; please do not send any documents directly to the department. Admission decisions are based on a holistic review of all submitted materials and the criteria listed below.
    • GRE Score
      • A GRE score is not required for admission.
    • Grade-Point Average (GPA)
      • Applicants should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for the last 66 hours of undergraduate coursework. At least 22 hours must be in basic or applied sciences. Prerequisite coursework includes chemistry and biology, though relevant work experience may substitute for these courses. Official transcripts must be sent directly from your institution to the UM Graduate School. Only the Graduate School can post transcripts to your application file.
    • Personal Statement
      • Applicants must submit a personal statement describing:
      • Career goals
      • Academic and professional preparation for graduate study
      • Motivation for Pursuing the Graduate Certificate in Medical Cannabis
    • Letters of Recommendation
      • At least two letters of recommendation are required from professional or academic references. Recommenders must upload their letters directly through the online application system.
    • Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
      • Applicants must provide a current resume or CV that outlines:
      • Educational background
      • Professional experience
      • Relevant skills, certifications, or other experiences
      • This document helps the admissions committee evaluate your readiness for graduate-level study and the professional context of your application.

     

    Fall: July 1
    Spring: November 1
    Summer: April 1

    This fully online certificate features classes that explore:

    • Subjects such as phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology.
    • Research and development.
    • Analytical techniques.
    • Policy and formulation in the medical cannabis industry.

    Fall and Spring term courses are completed in 6 weeks, while the Summer term course is completed in 4 weeks.

    Students choose three of the remaining four courses to tailor the program to their goals:

    Fall 1: BMSC 6620 Cannabis Policy and Law (3 hours) REQUIRED
    Fall 2: BMSC 6630 Formulation and Manufacturing of Cannabis Products (3 hours)
    Spring 1: BMSC 6610 Cannabis Identification, Genomics and Engineering (3 hours)
    Spring 2: BMSC 6640 Chemistry and Standardization of Cannabis (3 hours)
    Summer 1: BMSC 6650 Pharmacology and Toxicology of Cannabinoids (3 hours)

    The certificate program is part-time and can be completed within one year. Students are required to complete 12 credit hours.

    Tuition

    The cost per credit hour for the Graduate Certificate in Medical Cannabis is $675 for the Fall/Spring 2026–2027 academic year. Students can use the Tuition Calculator for additional assistance in estimating total program costs.

    Financial Aid

    At this time, financial aid is not available for students enrolled in the certificate program. However, financial aid opportunities are available for students pursuing the online M.S. in Dietary Supplements & Medical Cannabis program.

    Due to the continued federal prohibition of cannabis, Congress has not authorized any exceptions permitting the use of VA education benefits for coursework related to cannabis. As such, VA education benefits cannot be applied to cannabis-related programs at this time.

    Until further notice, students enrolling in such programs will be fully responsible for all associated tuition, fees, and program costs, as no VA funding will be approved.

    We encourage students to consult with the School Certifying Officials in the Veteran and Military Services office for guidance prior to enrolling in any program involving cannabis related courses.

    Contact veterans@olemiss.edu for more information.

    Continue your studies!

    Advance from the Graduate Certificate to the Master of Science in Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis.

    What classes do you take to get an online graduate certificate in Medical Cannabis?

    These are the courses you can take to earn your graduate certificate.

    GR-PH

    BMSC 6620: Cannabis Policy & Law

    3 credits

    BMS 662 is an asynchronous online course designed to provide students with a foundational understanding of the ever-evolving regulatory landscape related to cannabis. We will begin by exploring the historical context of cannabis use and criminalization and highlight key legislative turning points. Students will navigate through conflicting laws and regulations specifically within the United States. By the end of the course, students will be able to critically evaluate the current regulatory framework and contribute to policy discussions at various levels, ranging from local to federal.

    GR-PH

    BMSC 6630: Formulation & Manufacturing of Cannabis

    3 credits

    BMS 663 is an asynchronous online course in which students will learn about the formulation and manufacturing of cannabis products. We will briefly highlight the cGMPs that govern this area; however, most of the course will be spent working through manufacturing from start to finish including areas such as research and development, sourcing, formulation from conception, sustainability, and testing. The culmination of this course will equip students with the ability to formulate a cannabis product from concept to market ready while maintaining cGMP compliant records along the way.

    GR-PH

    BMSC 6610: Cannabis Identification, Genomics, & Eng

    3 credits

    BMS 661 is an asynchronous online course where students will gain a foundational knowledge of cannabis botany from distinguishing features to growing cycles. Students will learn the pros and cons of techniques employed in industry to make informed decisions within their future workplaces. We will introduce and cover genomics and engineering at a base level with the opportunity to dive further. By the end of the course, students will be able to propose a controlled cultivation experiment to manipulate cannabis genetics.

    GR-PH

    BMSC 6640: Chemistry & Standardization of Cannabis

    3 credits

    BMS 664 is an asynchronous online course where students will learn how to identify and standardize Cannabis spp. and individual molecules including cannabinoids and terpenes. We will cover the macro and microscopic botanical characteristics of cannabis before learning optimal extraction methodology and analytical machines, as well as how to standardize previously identified constituents. By the end of the course, students will be able to demonstrate their ability to develop a hypothetical extraction and/or standardization scheme based on their foundational knowledge.

    GR-PH

    BMSC 6650: Pharmacology & Toxicology of Cannabinoid

    3 credits

    BMS 665 is an asynchronous online course focused on the pharmacology and toxicology of cannabinoids. Through the exploration of basic principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, students will gain a thorough understanding of how cannabinoids interact with the body. The course will then focus on honing skills to critically analyze reliable scientific literature along with exploring pertinent case studies. Students will develop the ability to make informed decisions regarding the use of cannabinoids, identifying potential adverse effects and evaluating drug interactions.

    FAQs

    Have questions about the program? Find more information below.

    The Graduate Certificate prepares students for a variety of careers within the growing medical cannabis industry. Graduates gain knowledge and skills applicable to roles in formulation and manufacturing, quality control and assurance, laboratory operations, regulatory affairs, product development, supply chain management, consulting, project management, sales and technical support, research coordination, and education and training. The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates to contribute across multiple sectors of the industry and adapt to its evolving needs.

    Yes. Students who successfully complete the online Graduate Certificate program may apply all 12 credit hours toward the online M.S. in Dietary Supplements and Cannabis. To continue into the master's program, students must complete the certificate, formally apply for admission to the M.S. program, and meet all remaining degree requirements if admitted.

    The Graduate Certificate is a great option if you're looking for a shorter, more focused program or want to explore the medical cannabis field before committing to a master's degree. If you later decide to pursue the M.S. program, you may apply for admission, and credits earned in the certificate program can be applied toward the master's degree.

    Yes. The Graduate Certificate is designed with working professionals in mind. All courses are delivered online in an asynchronous format, giving you the flexibility to complete coursework when it best fits your schedule while staying on track with course deadlines. This format makes it easier to balance graduate education with work, family, and other professional responsibilities.

    No. Previous work experience in the medical cannabis industry is not required for admission. However, applicants with relevant professional experience may be able to use that experience to satisfy certain prerequisite coursework during the admissions review process. The program welcomes students from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds.
    Headshot of Colby

    Get to know the Graduate Program Coordinator

    “This program is the first of its kind in the nation and addresses a major need in the workforce through the strengths of faculty at the School of Pharmacy.”

    David Colby

    Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Research Professor in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Director of Online Graduate Programs for BioMolecular Sciences

    Connect with us on LinkedIn!

    Receive the latest news on our programs through our LinkedIn page, and connect with industry and academic professionals in the field.

    Ole Miss Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis Online Programs on LinkedIn    

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