Cannabis Degree Programs
• 100% ONLINE •
The cannabis industry shows fast growth — and with that growth comes a wide range of new jobs. Beal’s online cannabis science degree programs provide the skills and knowledge you need to enter this thriving field. Select from four online cannabis science degree courses programs to fit your desired path and interests: Medicinal Plant Sciences (B.S.), Cannabis Sciences (A.A.S.), Cannabis Business Administration (A.A.S.), or Cannabis Business Operations (Diploma). Take courses online, learn from anywhere**, and earn your cannabis degree in as little as 18 months or your diploma in 10 months.
100% online cannabis degrees
Our cannabis degree programs are completely online. Complete your coursework from home or anywhere in the world**.
4 program options
Choose the program that fits your educational and career goals. Earn a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree or a diploma.
Since 1891
Located in Bangor, Maine, Beal University has been providing exceptional, career-focused education for more than 130 years.
Is Cannabis Business Sciences Right for You? Find Out! Take the Beal University 'Cannabis Education Readiness Quiz'
This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Get Your Education Readiness score now.
What is Cannabis Business Sciences?
Industry Growth & Career Opportunities
Source: New York Times
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Learn more about our online cannabis degree programs to find the right fit for you.
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Request more information about our online cannabis degree options, financial aid and more.
Transfer Credits Accepted
Have you already taken courses at other universities in the past? You may be able to transfer the credits you have earned and graduate sooner. Request more information today to learn if you qualify.
Career Opportunities and Cannabis Business Sciences Average Salary
Cannabis Industry Jobs & Statistics
Why consider a degree in cannabis or medicinal plant sciences? The numbers speak for themselves. Here are some of the latest figures on the fast-growing cannabis industry. You can also visit our Cannabis Information page for industry salaries, detailed program descriptions and more!
33% increase in jobs
In 2021, America’s cannabis industry created 428,059 full-time jobs – a 33% increase over the previous year.
Source: 2022 Leafly Jobs Report
280 new jobs a day
Cannabis is driving job growth. Last year, the industry created an average of 280 new jobs every day.
Source: 2022 Leafly Jobs Report
$25 billion industry
Legal cannabis is now a $25 billion industry in the United States. The industry is expected to nearly triple by 2030.
Source: Leafly & New York Times
30% increase in businesses
Cannabis business is booming. The number of cannabis-related businesses has grown between 20% to 30% over the last few years.
Source: EisnerAmper
National Cannabis Salary Guide (2024): CannabizTeam’s updated salary guide contains Cannabis Salaries for important and popular roles in cannabis, CBD, and hemp businesses. The report is essential for cannabis business leaders and job seekers alike, providing essential information to guide compensation and the hiring process.
Cannabis Business Sciences Degree: Curriculum Overview
Beal University’s online cannabis degrees are designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to enter this fast-growing industry. With four distinct online program options, you can target your education to specific fields that match your interests and goals. Immerse yourself in the fundamentals of medicinal plant sciences or focus specifically on cannabis science or the cannabis business. Regardless of which program you select, you’ll gain the education you need to thrive in your chosen field.
Medicinal Plant Sciences
Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)
Length: 34 months*
Our Medicinal Plant Sciences program offers a well-rounded education in the physical, chemical, and biological sciences, as well as a foundational introduction to the medicinal plant sciences, including cannabis-specific instruction.
Cannabis Sciences
Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
Length: 18 months*
Our Cannabis Sciences program offers a broad survey of the fundamentals of cannabis sciences, including cannabis cultivation, testing, and extraction, as well as a solid foundation in biological, chemical, and plant sciences.
Cannabis Business Administration
Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
Length: 20 months*
Our Cannabis Business Administration program prepares students to enter the expanding cannabis business landscape. The program includes foundational business topics including accounting, law, marketing, ethics, and management, as well as cannabis-specific instruction, including an up-to-date overview of legal, regulatory, and operational considerations for cultivation as well as adult-use and medical dispensary businesses.
Cannabis Business Operations
Diploma
Length: 10 months*
Our Diploma in Cannabis Business Operations prepares students to enter the expanding cannabis business landscape. The program includes an overview of foundational business topics including management and law, as well as cannabis-specific instruction, including an up-to-date overview of legal, regulatory, and operational considerations for dispensary and cultivation businesses.
Bachelor of Science in Medicinal Plant Sciences
Location: Online
Length: 34 months*
Credential: Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)
The Medicinal Plant Sciences program is a Bachelor of Science degree that is designed to offer students a broad survey of the physical, chemical, and biological sciences, as well as provide a foundational introduction to the medicinal plant sciences. Additionally, the Cannabis Training University’s online program offers an array of cannabis-specific instruction, including an overview of analytical methodologies. Upper-level coursework emphasizes critical thinking, research, and communication skills.
This degree prepares students for direct entry into research, laboratory, manufacturing, cultivation, and product development roles.
At the completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate competency across the physical and biological sciences, including biology and chemistry.
- Demonstrate competency across the medicinal plant sciences, including plant biology, phytochemistry, and ethnobotany.
- Demonstrate a foundational understanding of cannabis analytical methodologies.
- Demonstrate competency in critical thinking, research, and both written and oral communication.
- Plant Biology
- Plant Physiology
- Ethnobotany
- Introduction to Cannabis I & II
- Cannabis Product Development
- Plant Sciences Research
- Phytochemistry
- Pharmacognosy
- Cannabis Laboratory Fundamentals
- Medicinal Plant Sciences Capstone
- Those who are interested in any aspect of plant sciences, such as cannabis or other medicinal plants, naturopathy, or plant biology more broadly.
- Anyone seeking employment in a medicinal plant science-related field, such as research, laboratory, manufacturing, cultivation, and product development.
- Existing biological sciences professionals who wish to further their careers.
Take a short quiz to find out. Our Medicinal Plant Sciences Career Readiness Quiz takes just 3 minutes to complete. You’ll get a personalized report identifying your strengths and social style, plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Start the quiz now to see your career readiness score.
Get more details about our online Cannabis and Medicinal Plant Sciences programs.
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Associate of Applied Science in Cannabis Sciences
Location: Online
Length: 18 months*
Credential: Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
The Cannabis Sciences program is an Associate of Applied Science degree that is designed to offer students a broad survey of the fundamentals of cannabis science. The Cannabis Training University’s online program includes an overview of cannabis cultivation, testing, and extraction methodologies, as well as a solid foundation in biological, chemical, and plant sciences.
This cannabis science degree prepares students for direct entry into laboratory, manufacturing, cultivation, and product development roles.
Upon successful completion of this cannabis degree program, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate competency across the physical and biological sciences, including biology and chemistry.
- Demonstrate a foundational understanding of the plant sciences, including plant biology, plant physiology, and ethnobotany.
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of cannabis cultivation, testing, and processing methodologies.
- Demonstrate competency in critical thinking and both written and oral communication.
- Plant Biology
- Plant Physiology
- Ethnobotany
- Introduction to Cannabis I
- Introduction to Cannabis II
- Cannabis Product Development
- Anyone seeking employment in a cannabis science-related field, such as research, cultivation, testing, or processing.
- Those who are interested in the science of cannabis and the role it plays in human health and industry.
- Existing cannabis-industry workers who wish to further their careers.
Take a short quiz to find out. Our Cannabis Sciences Career Readiness Quiz takes just 3 minutes to complete. You’ll get a personalized report identifying your strengths and social style, plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Start the quiz now to see your career readiness score.
Get more details about our online Cannabis and Medicinal Plant Sciences programs.
Tell Me More
Associate of Applied Science in Cannabis Business Administration
Location: Online
Length: 20 months*
Credential: Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
The Cannabis Business Administration program is an Associate of Applied Science degree that is designed to prepare students to enter the expanding cannabis business landscape. The program includes an overview of foundational business practices including accounting, law, marketing, ethics, and management. The program also offers cannabis-specific instruction, including a survey of cultivation, testing, and extraction methodologies, as well as an up-to-date overview of legal, regulatory, and operational considerations for cultivation as well as adult-use and medical dispensary businesses.
This degree prepares students to start their own business or obtain entry-level employment at a cannabis-related business.
Upon successful completion of this cannabis degree program, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate competency in foundational business practices, including management, accounting, law, marketing, and ethics.
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of cannabis-specific regulations and business practices.
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of cannabis cultivation, testing, and processing methodologies.
- Demonstrate competency in critical thinking and both written and oral communication.
- Introduction to Cannabis I
- Introduction to Cannabis II
- Cannabis Product Development
- Cultivation Operations
- Dispensary Operations
- Cannabis Tax and Legal Regulations
- Anyone seeking employment at a cannabis-related business.
- Those who are interested in the business or regulatory aspects of the thriving cannabis industry.
- Entrepreneurs and aspiring or existing business owners.
- Existing cannabis-industry workers who wish to further their careers.
Take a short quiz to find out. Our Cannabis Business Administration Career Readiness Quiz takes just 3 minutes to complete. You’ll get a personalized report identifying your strengths and social style, plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Start the quiz now to see your career readiness score.
Get more details about our online Cannabis and Medicinal Plant Sciences programs.
Tell Me More
Diploma in Cannabis Business Operations
Location: Online
Length: 10 months*
Credential: Diploma
The Cannabis Business Operations program is a Diploma program that is designed to prepare students to enter the expanding cannabis business landscape. The program includes an overview of foundational business topics including management and law. The program also offers cannabis-specific instruction, including a survey of cultivation, testing, and extraction methodologies, as well as an up-to-date overview of legal, regulatory, and operational considerations for dispensary and cultivation businesses.
After successful completion of the Cannabis Business Operations program, students may seek jobs in the cannabis industry or another business field. Jobs include but are not limited to Dispensary Worker, Visual Merchandiser & Planner, Budtender, Packager and more.
At the completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate competency in foundational business practices, including management and law.
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of cannabis-specific regulations and business practices.
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of cannabis cultivation, testing, and processing methodologies.
- Introduction to Cannabis I
- Introduction to Cannabis II
- Cannabis Product Development
- Cultivation Operations
- Dispensary Operations
- Cannabis Tax and Legal Regulations
- Anyone seeking employment at a cannabis-related business.
- Those who are interested in the business or regulatory aspects of the thriving cannabis industry.
- Entrepreneurs and aspiring or existing business owners.
- Existing cannabis-industry workers who wish to further their careers.
Take a short quiz to find out. Our Cannabis Business Operations Career Readiness Quiz takes just 3 minutes to complete. You’ll get a personalized report identifying your strengths and social style, plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Start the quiz now to see your career readiness score.
Get more details about our online Cannabis and Medicinal Plant Sciences programs.
Tell Me More
In the News
The cannabis industry continues to make headlines. Browse some of the recent stories covering industry job growth, research, and business activity
U.S. Cannabis Sales Hit Record $17.5 Billion
Legal sales across the U.S.—14 states allow adult use, 36 allow for medical sales—hit a record of $17.5 billion, a 46% increase from 2019, according to a new report.
Read more via Forbes
Hartford Cannabis Business Owner Expects ‘Budding’ Industry to Thrive
Anticipation is building in the cannabis industry—with [Connecticut’s] adult-use sales expected by the end of the year. One Hartford cannabis business owner is confident this budding industry will thrive in Connecticut.
Read more via WTNH
Booming US Cannabis Industry Seen as Fertile Ground for Union Expansion
As cannabis legalization has spread throughout the US, workers in the now booming new industry are pushing to unionize, seeking to ensure the sector provides good-paying union jobs with benefits throughout its supply chain.
Read more via Guardian
First Month of Adult-Use Cannabis Sales in N.J. Brings in $24 Million
One month into the nascent cannabis industry’s launch, consumers have purchased $24 million in recreational weed, regulators said during a meeting Tuesday where more permits for dispensaries were approved.
Read more via New Jersey Monitor
Why to choose Beal University to get certified?
Founded in 1891 as Bangor Business College, Beal University has evolved into a comprehensive institution with diverse academic offerings that serve a wide range of students in the state of Maine and beyond. From the beginning, Beal has remained focused on providing programs that give students real-world skills for careers in high-demand fields. Today, Beal offers programs from diploma to graduate-level degrees facilitating all levels of academic pursuits.
History
Based in Bangor, Maine, Beal University was first established in 1891 as Bangor Business College by Mary Beal.
Mission
To become partners with our students in their journey to improve their career opportunities through Beal’s many academic programs.
Vision
To be the most prominent educational institution in the region by providing exceptional academic programs that empower our graduates to excel in their careers.
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* Program length when completed in normal time.
** Does not include California