Graduate Certificate in Medical Cannabis

• This program is designed for entry-level and mid-level professionals looking to advance in opportunities in manufacturing, research and development, regulatory affairs, quality control, formulation, and analytical chemistry, including:
• Professionals in the medical cannabis industry who are seeking advanced knowledge
• Scientists and researchers interested in the chemical space around cannabinoids
• Regulatory affairs specialists looking to deepen their understanding of industry regulations
• Working professionals aiming to transition into medical cannabis and associated research & development fields

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.

Complete the Certificate in 1 Year

Applications to the Online Graduate Certificate in Medical Cannabis must be submitted through the UM 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.
• 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 Dietary Supplements

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.

We offer rolling admissions with three possible program start dates.

Fall term: July 1

Spring term: November 1

Summer term: 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.

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

• BMS 662 Cannabis Policy and Law, First Fall REQUIRED
• BMS 663 Formulation and Manufacturing of Cannabis Products, Second Fall
• BMS 661 Cannabis Identification, Genomics and Engineering, First Spring
• BMS 664 Chemistry and Standardization of Cannabis, Second Spring
• BMS 665 Pharmacology and Toxicology of Cannabinoids, Second Summer

Students who complete the online Graduate Certificate can apply the 12 hours earned from certificate courses to our online M.S. in Dietary Supplements and Cannabis degree. Once admitted to the certificate program, students will need to meet all remaining requirements for the M.S. degree.

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.