Become a Cannabis Professional in Nine Weeks
Study Online and On Your Own Time
Earn a Credential and Access to Cannabis Job Networks
Learn 100% Online - With 24/7 access to course material, you can fit your coursework into your existing schedule. Our user-friendly interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it simple for anyone to access our program from anywhere in the world.
“These programs provide a great foundation for anyone interested in a career in the cannabis industry. This type of training will help you stand out to hiring managers and companies alike in this highly competitive industry.”
Why Enroll
- Study On Your Own Time: As soon as you enroll, you'll have instant access to our online program, allowing you to study at your own pace, whenever and wherever it suits you.
- Expert Instructors: Crafted by top industry leaders, our program is tailored to provide you with the essential knowledge required to thrive as a cannabis professional.
- Top Cannabis Curriculum: Acquire the fundamental knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to thrive in the dynamic cannabis industry.
- Employer Network: Completing a cannabis certificate program gives you exclusive access to the GF Institute Employer Network.
Find a Rewarding Career in Cannabis
Our certificate programs are designed to prepare you for a wide range of cannabis jobs that can lead to a fulfilling and rewarding career in this fast-growing industry. Whether you’re interested in working in cultivation, manufacturing, retail, or any other aspect of the cannabis industry, our programs will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed. Our expert instructors provide hands-on training and real-world experience, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.
With our certificate programs, you’ll be well-prepared to pursue a fulfilling career in the cannabis industry, helping to shape this exciting field and make a positive impact on people’s lives. There is a wide range of available positions, ranging from entry-level to executive-level roles in this fast-evolving industry.
Join A Fast-Growing Industry
The cannabis industry is growing at an unprecedented rate, and the demand for skilled professionals is higher than ever. As the industry continues to expand, new opportunities are emerging in fields such as cultivation, retail, extraction, product development, and more. Joining the cannabis industry means being part of a movement that’s changing lives and creating positive change. Plus, with a wide range of positions available, from entry-level to executive roles, there’s a place for everyone in this rapidly growing industry.
To become an in-demand cannabis professional, it’s important to have the right education and training. By investing in your education, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in this dynamic industry and advance your career to the next level. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the cannabis industry’s growth and secure a promising future – take the first step today and start your journey towards a rewarding career in cannabis.
Explore Cannabis Programs
Cannabis Cultivation Specialist Certificate 9 weeks | 100% Online | $750
Our 9-week online certificate program offers a comprehensive understanding of the cannabis industry and cultivation best practices. The program features a diverse range of learning resources, including engaging video lectures, informative readings, and interactive e-learning modules that equip you with the requisite skills and knowledge to excel in the thriving cannabis cultivation industry. Upon completion, you’ll have the credibility and knowledge necessary to establish a successful career in cannabis cultivation, work in indoor or outdoor grow operations, or even launch your own cultivation business.
Cannabis Retail Specialist Certificate 9 weeks | 100% Online | $750
Delivered through a blend of engaging video lectures, comprehensive readings, and interactive e-learning modules, our 9-week online certificate program is exclusively taught by distinguished industry experts and operators. This program is designed to equip you with the fundamental knowledge of the cannabis supply chain, as well as the essential skills to succeed in the dynamic cannabis retail environment. By completing this program, you’ll acquire the credibility and knowledge required to build a rewarding career in cannabis retail, work in a dispensary, or even start your own dispensary.
Learn More and Register
Cannabis Extraction & Product Development Specialist Certificate 9 weeks | 100% Online | $750
Our 9-week online certificate program, taught exclusively by renowned industry experts and operators, aims to empower you with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a highly-regarded and sought-after cannabis professional. With a focus on developing and manufacturing various cannabis products, including edibles, tinctures, and topicals, this program provides a comprehensive understanding of the cannabis supply chain and foundational skills required to excel in the industry.
Learn More and Register
What You'll Gain
- A Certificate of Completion: Upon completion of the program, you’ll earn a certificate of completion from Southern Connecticut State University that you can add to your resume to help advance your career.
- A Digital Credential: Your digital credential, issued through Credly, is a digital badge that you can publish on LinkedIn and other online platforms to highlight your accomplishment.
- Advanced Rankings for Relevant Job Openings: Careersincannabis.com allows certificate holders to incorporate their digital badge into their profile on this industry job board which is utilized by some of the largest and most well-respected cannabis companies in the world, automatically improving your ranking and FitScore for relevant job openings.
- Access to an Exclusive Employer Network: You’ll gain access to the GF Institute Employer Network, designed to help you propel your career forward with employment-focused webinars and opportunities.
Exclusive Benefits with CareersinCannabis.com
Recognizing the quality of education offered through the cannabis certificates available at Southern Connecticut State University, CareersinCannabis.com is offering an exclusive benefit to certificate holders. Upon completion, you’ll be able to incorporate your digital credential directly into your profile on careersincannabis.com, a cannabis industry-specific job board that’s utilized by some of the largest and most well-respected cannabis companies in the world.
Features include:
- Profile & Badge: When you create your profile on careersincannabis.com, your Southern Connecticut State University digital badge will be automatically pulled into your profile, improving your ranking and FitScore for relevant job openings.
- Custom Resume: In just a few easy steps (directly from your smartphone!), you can create a professional, custom resume that stands out and can easily be saved as a PDF to download, email, and print.
- Job Openings: Gain immediate access to open positions. Search by job title, keyword, company, zip code, or city.
- Job Alerts: Get notified immediately of new positions posted to careersincannabis.com.
GF Institute Employer Network & Digital Badges
All participants will earn access to the GF Institute’s Employer Network upon completion of one of the cannabis certificate programs. The GF Institute is the academic and professional membership body designed to promote the highest standards of professionalism, credibility, and equity in the cannabis industry.
As a member of the institute, you’ll have access to exclusive virtual cannabis career events and other opportunities designed for those interested in advancing their career.
Upon completion, you’ll also be awarded a digital badge backed by the GF Institute. These badges, offered through Credly’s digital badge platform, provide you with a digital version of your qualifications and skills earned through the cannabis program.
Earn your certificate in 9 weeks, and unlock your digital badge.
The programs are self-paced and begin every other month. Once you complete your registration, you’ll receive an email with course access information.
We recommend registering before the course start date. However, students may register until Monday after the start date. To register past that date, please contact us to see if we can accommodate your request.
These programs can be completed on your own time. They are designed to be completed in nine weeks. However, they can be completed sooner, depending on how much time you devote to the courses each day. Students should expect to dedicate around six hours per week to complete coursework in this program.
Yes. Your complete registration for your cannabis certificate program can be completed directly on our website. Just choose your program of interest, enter in your information, choose your payment option, and checkout. Once you go through the checkout process and register, you’ll receive an email with course access.
Our cannabis certificate programs were designed in direct response to job demand needs within the industry. We have four certificate options available, each designed to provide you with a streamlined educational experience focused on the sector of the industry that you are most interested in pursuing. You will learn career-focused skills in retail, cultivation, extraction, and product development.
These programs are a great stepping stone to greater opportunities, whether you want to break into the industry or level up your current skills and experience.
Already have extensive experience in the cannabis industry? There is always more to learn! If you have experience in cultivation, branch out and learn the business side of things, dive deeper into the healthcare and medicine aspect of cannabis, or educate yourself on the extensive rules and regulations in our cannabis compliance program.
Cannabis is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. In addition to positions in cultivation that are hands-on with the plant, there are also career opportunities available in other sectors like retail and product development.
While we cannot guarantee job placement, our programs will provide you with career support and resources available through the GF Institute Employer Network to help propel your career and opportunities forward. For example, you’ll gain priority ranking on careersincannabis.com, a top industry employment site utilized by some of the most well-known cannabis companies in the country.
The cannabis certificates are non-credit, so they are not eligible for federal aid. Scholarships are not currently available for these programs.
While federal financial aid is not available for these programs, we strive to offer flexible payment options for all students. Upon registration, you’ll be able to pay in full, or you can choose the monthly installment option for three monthly payments of $266.67 each.
If you are currently employed in the cannabis industry, your employer may offer tuition reimbursement for these programs.
Our cannabis certificate programs are open to everyone over the age of 18. There are no prior education requirements or admissions process. Just register directly on our website to begin the program.
Each certificate program costs $750 when you pay in full. If you choose the monthly payment option, the price is $266.67 per month.
You can generally use any laptop, computer, or tablet for these online courses. Courses are also available on mobile so that you can watch the video content from your phone.
In addition to a certificate of completion in the program that you choose, you’ll receive a digital badge and verification of the skills that you’ve learned throughout your program.
Digital badges can be used in email signatures or digital resumes, as well as on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. This digital image contains verified metadata that describes your qualifications and the process required to earn them. Additionally, they allow employers searching for candidates with those skills and qualifications to find your profile and connect you with relevant job opportunities. Plus, you can search for relevant job opportunities that align with your skills.
Learn more about our digital credentials.
About Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University provides exemplary graduate and undergraduate education in the liberal arts and professional disciplines. As an intentionally diverse and comprehensive university, Southern is committed to academic excellence, access, social justice, and service for the public good.
Southern's Office of Workforce and Lifelong Learning (OWLL) offers non-credit and workforce training and a variety of low-cost professional development opportunities to build and refresh a learner’s skill set while connecting learners to SCSU's undergraduate and graduate credit-level certificate programs.
For more information, please contact OWLL@SouthernCT.edu.
SCSU, 501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515