Among the first states in the nation to legalize cannabis for adult use, Colorado is still widely known for its cannabis economy and cannabis culture despite now being one of many states boasting legal recreational cannabis programs.
While the state’s industry has slowed down a bit in recent years, there is no shortage of prospective employees looking to enter the industry. With that in mind, the University of Denver (DU) has introduced a series of four new classes starting this semester for those looking to press forward with their cannabis careers.
On the DU cannabis program website, the college points to the “unprecedented” rate of growth for the cannabis industry and the high demand for skilled cannabis professionals, with new opportunities in cultivation, retail, extraction, production 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,” the site states, emphasizing the importance of having the right education and training “to become an in-demand cannabis professional.”
DU’s New Online Cannabis Program: Four Certificate Paths
The four certificate paths include cannabis healthcare and medicine, cannabis agriculture and horticulture, the business of cannabis and cannabis compliance and risk management.
The cannabis healthcare and medicine program will “delve deep into the intricacies of cannabis medicine, empowering you to feel confident in offering precise product recommendations and assisting individuals in treating various ailments and conditions with cannabis.” The certificate is geared toward those looking to provide accurate information and advice to clients and patients looking to treat a variety of ailments and conditions with cannabis.
The cannabis agriculture and horticulture certificate is focused plant care, cannabis botany and genetics and plant growth techniques, designed for “both novice and experienced growers” paired with information around production, management and cultivation in the cannabis industry.
The business of cannabis certificate is meant to provide students with a “comprehensive understanding of the cannabis industry, its evolution, and its future trajectory.” This option, focusing on cannabis business management fundamentals, explores a variety of topics like marketing, brand strategies, business plans, financing, operational processes and more as they pertain to cannabis businesses.
The final offering, cannabis compliance and risk management, aims to give students an understanding of risks related to operating cannabis businesses and mitigating them “with a proven Cannabis Risk Management Framework.”
Associated Fees and Additional Program Details
Each certificate is a six-month online program, requiring a $750 upfront fee followed by $499 each month, a total of $2,750 in full.
“These programs provide a great foundation for anyone interested in a career in the cannabis industry,” said Canna Advisors Founding Partner Jay Czarkowski. “This type of training will help you stand out to hiring managers and companies alike in this highly competitive industry.”
DU offers new course start days approximately every six to eight weeks, and all programs begin on the same dates. The most recent round of courses began on Jan. 8, and the next batch of courses starts on March 4. The site says that students should expect to dedicate six to eight hours a week on coursework, though they are allowed to complete the week’s assignments on their own schedule.
According to Fox 31, the certificate programs are considered non-credit programs, so they don’t count toward any graduation requirements and also are not covered by federal aid. Though, DU does offer veterans discounts along with other limited discounts for the program.
There is also incentive for students to earn more that one certificate, as those who take on additional programs receive a 33% discount. As mentioned by the DU program website, students are also able to complete subsequent courses in 16 weeks instead of 24 weeks, since the first course is the same across all of the programs and does not need to be repeated.
The only requirement for enrollment is that students are over the age of 18.
