Be on the frontier of this fast-paced, emerging opportunity.

Degree requirement: no degree required
Semester: Spring, fall
Program length: 4 university courses
Format: Online
Estimated Cost: $4,576 (non-degree seeking students)
More detailed information below.

The Cannabis Certificate program will help you build a foundation of cannabis production skills from classification to physiology to production management.

The online Cannabis Certificate is designed to provide students with an understanding of the cannabis classification system, including subspecies and varieties, and proper management practices for target compounds and products.

Understanding cannabis biology and taxonomic classification is critical for proper management practices for the production of essential oils, psychoactive compounds, fiber, and seed oil and protein, and applications of those products. Discrepancies between scientific and vernacular names of cannabis and the inconsistency of vernacular names mislead producers and consumers.

This cannabis certificate program will help students become equipped with knowledge for cannabis indoor, outdoor, and large-scale field production; classification of subspecies and varieties, biology, propagation, planting, pest management, and harvesting of target compounds and products.

cannabis varieties
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Use the form below to express your interest in pursuing a certificate. Once accepted, you will receive an email with further instructions for registration.

Non-students Current UIUC students

Program Requirements

Undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree seeking students wanting to learn more about cannabis production and seeking jobs in these emerging industries.

​All course credits from the Certificate Program are transferable academic credits from the Certificate Program.

Certificate Requirements

  • Complete a minimum of 11 credit hours within the Department of Crop Sciences
    • Earn a grade of C or better in 11 credit hours of classwork
    • Coursework cannot be used to qualify for multiple certificates.

    Certificate Completion

    Upon completing your required coursework, you will need to submit a completion request for your certificate. Once we have verified that you have met the requirements, your certificate will be printed and signed off on by the Dean of the College of ACES, Crop Sciences’ Department Head, Director of Online and Continuing Education (CITL) and the Online Program Coordinator.

    Certificate completion form

    Course Descriptions

    Introduction to Horticulture

    HORT 100, 3 credits, online asynchronous in Spring

    Basic principles of plant growth and development as they apply to the production, marketing, and utilization of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants.

    Medical Plants and Herbology

    CPSC 180, 3 hrs., in-person in Spring/online asynchronous in Fall

    The use of cultivated and wild plants in medicines and health products according to Eastern and Western medical traditions. Consideration of herbal medicine use from ancient times to the present, important medicinal chemicals produced by plants, and the evaluation of plant chemical products as potential human medicines.

    Cannabis Classification and Management

    CPSC 480, 3 hrs., in-person in Spring/online synchronous in Fall

    Designed to provide students with an understanding of the cannabis classification system and proper management practices for target compounds and products. Understanding cannabis biology and taxonomic classification is critical for proper management practices for the production of essential oils, psychoactive compounds, fiber, and seed oil and protein, and applications of those products. Discrepancies between scientific and vernacular names of cannabis and the inconsistency of vernacular names mislead producers and consumers. This course will discuss the taxonomy and vernacular nomenclature of cannabis and cannabis biology will be discussed based on individual subspecies. The subspecies classification will be necessary for proper management practices and harvesting of target compounds and products. 

    Cannabis Flower Production

    CPSC 499, 2 hrs., online synchronous in Spring

    This course explores indoor and outdoor Cannabis cultivation techniques for the small-scale grower. Topics covered include botany, the Cannabis growth cycle, growing systems and media, nutrients, environmental controls such as lighting, media, ventilation, etc., strain selection, and sanitation/disease/pest control. This section is restricted to online programs only.

    Department Contact

    D.K. Lee
    Director of Online Programs
    Contact
    D.K. Lee