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Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis, M.S. (Online)

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About the Masters of Science in Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis

The online M.S. in Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary exploration of two rapidly evolving industries. Building on the University of Mississippi’s more than half-century legacy of research in cannabis and dietary supplements, this SACSCOC-accredited program provides students with a strong foundation in the history, science, regulation, research, development, and consumer use of both fields.

Delivered online in an asynchronous, part-time format, the program is designed for working professionals seeking to advance in the dietary supplement or medical cannabis industries. The curriculum dedicates equal focus to both disciplines, preparing students to contribute to areas such as government regulation, research, product innovation, quality assurance, and industry leadership.

As medical cannabis continues to expand in highly regulated markets and the dietary supplement industry grows in response to consumer interest in health and wellness, this program equips students nationwide with the knowledge and expertise needed to support and shape these evolving industries.

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    Program Information

    Degree

    M.S. in Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis

    Required Credit Hours

    30

    Program Type

    Master's Program

    Program Location

    Online

    School

    School of Pharmacy

    Duration

    2 Years

    Are you ready to earn a graduate degree?

    Learn more about earning an online graduate degree with the University of Mississippi.

    Begin Your Journey

    The online M.S. in Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis is a part-time, 30-credit-hour program designed to be completed over two years. All coursework is completed online and delivered asynchronously, allowing students to access course materials and complete assignments on their own schedule, provided deadlines are met. This flexible format is especially well-suited for working professionals balancing graduate study with professional and personal responsibilities.

    Although coursework is completed online, students are required to travel to Oxford, Mississippi, once during the two-year program to attend the International Conference on the Science of Botanicals. This in-person symposium, hosted at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, provides students with valuable opportunities to connect with classmates, faculty, industry leaders, researchers, and government professionals.

    Applicants who are unable to attend the conference in person are not eligible for enrollment in the M.S. program and should consider pursuing one of the online certificate options instead.

    Applications to the online M.S. in Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis must be submitted through the University of Mississippi Graduate School website. All application materials are accepted only through the online application system; applicants should not send documents directly to the department. Admission decisions are based on a holistic review of all submitted materials. Because admission is competitive, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.

    • GRE Score
      • A GRE score is not required for admission.
    • Grade-Point Average and Prerequisites
      • Applicants should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for the last 66 hours of undergraduate coursework. At least 22 hours should be in basic or applied sciences.
      • Prerequisite coursework includes chemistry and biology, though relevant work experience in dietary supplements, medical cannabis, or related fields may be considered as a substitute for certain prerequisite courses.
      • Official transcripts must be sent directly from the applicant’s institution to the University of Mississippi Graduate School.
      • While a strong science background can be helpful, the program is designed to be accessible to students from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds.
    • Bachelor's Degree
      • Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree, and the curriculum provides opportunities for students to build and deepen their scientific knowledge throughout the program.
    • Personal Statement
      • Applicants must submit a personal statement that describes their career goals, academic and professional preparation for graduate study, and motivation for pursuing the M.S. in Dietary Supplements and 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
      • Applicants must provide a current resume or curriculum vitae that outlines their educational background, professional experience, relevant skills, certifications, and other experiences.
      • This document helps the admissions committee evaluate each applicant’s readiness for graduate-level study and understand the professional context of the application.

     

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

    The School of Pharmacy’s Department of BioMolecular Sciences offers the M.S. in Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis as a non-thesis, online graduate program focused on the fundamental and applied knowledge of natural products. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in the dietary supplement, nutraceutical, and medical cannabis industries.

    Students complete 30 hours of online asynchronous coursework over two years. Coursework in the first year focuses on dietary supplements and nutraceuticals, while coursework in the second year focuses on medical cannabis. Two courses are taken consecutively in the fall semester, two courses consecutively in the spring semester, and two courses during the summer semester between Year 1 and Year 2.

    Year 1

    Fall 1: BMSC 6520: Regulation of Dietary Supplements (3 hours)
    Fall 2: BMSC 6530: Formulation and Manufacturing of Dietary Supplements (3 hours)
    Spring 1: BMSC 6510: Fundamentals of Phytochemistry and Pharmacognosy (3 hours)
    Spring 2: BMSC 6540: Identification and Authentication of Dietary Ingredients (3 hours)
    Summer 1: BMSC 6550: Pharmacology and Toxicology of Dietary Supplements (3 hours)

    Year 2

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

    The curriculum does not include instruction on the cultivation, sale, or distribution of cannabis. This curriculum does not offer an accelerated option.

    Graduate students are required to complete an online professional portfolio during the curriculum. Students are also required to attend the International Conference on the Science of Botanicals in Oxford, Mississippi, at least once during the program. The cost of registration and accommodations is the student's responsibility.

    Travel Information for ICSB

    Students who are unable to participate in the conference in person are not eligible for enrollment in the M.S. program and should consider one of the online certificate options instead.

    The cost per credit hour for the M.S. in Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis is $675 for the Fall/Spring 2025–2026 academic year. Tuition is paid by semester. Students can use the cost of attendance calculator for additional help estimating total program costs.

    Federal financial aid is available to eligible students enrolled in the M.S. program. Many students utilize financial aid to support their graduate education. For more information, students should contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@olemiss.edu.

    Aeroma Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis Scholarship

    • Award: Two scholarships of $500 each
    • Eligibility: Available to online students enrolled in the master’s degree program in Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis.
    • Application Requirements:
      • One-page personal statement describing your academic and professional achievements, reasons for applying, and how this scholarship will support your career goals.
      • Resume
      • Electronic copies of graduate-level transcripts (official or unofficial are accepted)
    • Application Deadline: December 15, 2025

    Sky-High Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis Scholarship

    • Award: Two scholarships of $500 each
    • Eligibility: Available to online students enrolled in the master’s degree program in Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis.
    • Application Requirements:
      • One-page personal statement describing your academic and professional achievements, reasons for applying, and how this scholarship will support your career goals.
      • Resume
      • Electronic copies of graduate-level transcripts (official or unofficial are accepted)
    • Application Deadline: December 15, 2025

    Scholarship Application

    Due to the continued federal prohibition of cannabis, Congress has not authorized the use of VA education benefits for cannabis-related coursework. As a result, VA education benefits cannot currently be applied to this program.

    Until further notice, students enrolling in cannabis-related programs are responsible for all associated tuition, fees, and program costs, as no VA funding will be approved. Students are encouraged to consult with the School Certifying Officials in the Veteran and Military Services office before enrolling in any program that includes cannabis-related coursework. The office can be reached at veterans@olemiss.edu.

    Not ready for a full master’s degree?

    Start with one of our Graduate Certificates to gain essential skills and credentials that can later be applied toward the M.S. program.

    Explore our Graduate Certificate in Dietary Supplements

    Explore our Graduate Certificate in Medical Cannabis

    What classes do you take to get a Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis Master's Degree?

    These are the courses you will take to earn your degree.

    GR-PH

    BMSC 6510: Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytoc

    3 credits

    BMS 651 is an asynchronous online course designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the field of pharmacognosy. Students will learn about the historical basis of pharmacognosy, including landmark events that have shaped its evolution. Throughout the course, students will gain a deeper understanding of the chemical space around dietary supplements and develop skills in analyzing and synthesizing reliable scientific literature. By the end of the course, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge by authoring key monograph sections such as identity, and chemical composition for a dietary ingredient.

    GR-PH

    BMSC 6520: Regulation of Dietary Supplements

    3 credits

    BMS 652 is an asynchronous online course designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the regulatory landscape of the dietary supplement industry. By exploring key legislation, going over cGMPS, as well as challenges related to monitoring safety, enforcement, and compliance, students will be able to make informed decisions around compliance. The course will also provide students with hands-on experience in responding to FDA Form 483s, creating compliant product labels, and identifying cGMP violations with case studies. By the end of the course, students will have the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and mitigate compliance risks and ensure products and operations meet regulatory requirements.

    GR-PH

    BMSC 6530: Formulation and Manufacturing of Dietary

    3 credits

    BMS 653 is an asynchronous online course in which students will learn about the formulation and manufacturing of dietary supplements. 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 dietary supplement from concept to market ready while maintaining cGMP compliant records along the way.

    GR-PH

    BMSC 6540: Identification and Authentication of Die

    3 credits

    BMS 654 is an asynchronous online course designed to equip students with comprehensive knowledge of the identification and authentication of dietary ingredients. Students will learn nomenclature specific to individual ingredient identification as well as the terminology associated with this field. Throughout the course, students will gain an understanding of the analytical tools and techniques utilized in evaluating raw and processed materials and products for identity, purity, strength, and composition (IPSC). A final report will demonstrate students' ability to profile an unknown dietary ingredient with fit for purpose proposed analyses to determine IPSC.

    GR-PH

    BMSC 6550: Pharmacology and Toxicology of Dietary S

    3 credits

    BMS 655 is an asynchronous online course focused on the pharmacology and toxicology of dietary supplements. Through the exploration of basic principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how dietary ingredients interact with the body and their potential contraindications. Students will learn how to evaluate products and individual ingredients for potential interactions, and the culmination of the course will prepare students with the skills to make evidence-based decisions regarding formulating products with minimized risks.

    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 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 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.

    Headshot of Bonds

    Hear what our students are saying,

    “This program has truly changed everything for me. From day one, I’ve been applying what I’ve learned—it’s so relevant and practical that you can’t help but use it right away. I’ve stepped into a leadership role, gained the confidence to grow our supplement line, and learned how to turn an idea into a finished product backed by science and market research. The return on investment has been incredible—it’s truly been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

    Caroline Bonds

    Graduate Student

    FAQs

    Have questions about the program? Find more information below.

    The M.S. in Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis prepares professionals to advance or transition into careers within the dietary supplement, nutraceutical, and medical cannabis industries. Students develop expertise in the science, research, regulation, safety, quality assurance, and product development of dietary supplements and medical cannabis while gaining knowledge in areas such as pharmacology, phytochemistry, plant genetics, manufacturing, labeling, marketing, and public health.

    Graduates are well prepared for careers 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.

    No. Previous work experience in the dietary supplements or medical cannabis industries 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.

    Courses in the M.S. program are offered for academic credit and do not provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs). If you are interested in auditing a course instead of earning academic credit, auditing is permitted at the discretion of the course instructor.

    No. The M.S. program requires students to attend the in-person International Conference on the Science of Botanicals. If you are unable to meet this requirement, you should consider one of the program's fully online certificate options instead.

    No. Admission to the M.S. program does not include automatic admission to a certificate program. Applicants who are not admitted to the M.S. program are encouraged to apply separately to a certificate program or contact the program's administrative team to discuss available options.

    No. Coursework completed as part of the M.S. degree program cannot be applied toward a certificate. Students who leave the M.S. program after completing degree coursework are not eligible to receive a certificate based on those completed hours.

    Courses are taught by award-winning School of Pharmacy faculty and guest speakers recognized as experts in their fields. Students learn from instructors who combine academic expertise with industry experience, providing practical insights into dietary supplements, natural products, medical cannabis, policy, regulation, and product development.

    Yes. Students who complete the M.S. program are eligible to participate in both the University of Mississippi Commencement ceremony and the School of Pharmacy graduation ceremony. An additional graduation event is also held during graduation week for online students. Students officially graduate in the spring following their second year.
    Headshot of david colby

    We're Here For You

    Welcome! I am the Program Coordinator for the new Master of Science in Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis, and I am here to help you with whatever you may need. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if I can be of any assistance.

    David A Colby

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

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