Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis, M.S.

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.

Admissions and Industry Experience

Previous work experience in the dietary supplements or medical cannabis industries is not required for admission into the program. However, applicants with relevant professional experience may be able to use that experience as a substitute for certain prerequisite coursework during the admissions review process. We value the diverse educational and professional backgrounds our students bring to the program.

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

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

The M.S. in Dietary Supplements and Medical Cannabis supports professionals seeking to advance in the dietary supplement, nutraceutical, and medical cannabis industries. The program is especially well-suited for current industry professionals looking to expand their knowledge base, researchers and scientists interested in natural products and cannabinoids, and professionals seeking to transition into these growing fields.

The curriculum helps students understand the scientific foundation, historical context, research, policy, safety, quality assurance, public health considerations, and regulatory frameworks connected to dietary supplements and medical cannabis. Students gain exposure to topics such as pharmacology, phytochemistry, plant genetics, product design, development, labeling, marketing, and good manufacturing practices.

Graduates of the program are well prepared to pursue a wide variety of career opportunities within the dietary supplement and medical cannabis industries. The curriculum equips students with the knowledge and skills needed for 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.

Students who are unable to attend the required in-person International Conference on the Science of Botanicals should consider one of the online certificate options instead of the M.S. program.

Applicants who are denied admission to the M.S. program are not automatically admitted to a certificate program. However, they are encouraged to apply to a certificate program or contact the administrative team at dsmcadm@olemiss.edu to discuss available options.

Students enrolled in the M.S. degree program cannot apply degree-program hours toward a certificate. Therefore, an M.S. student who leaves the program after the first year cannot request to be awarded a certificate based on completed degree-program coursework.

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.