Cannabis Business

The purpose of this program is to provide learners with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to obtain gainful employment in the cannabis industry. The intended audience includes but is not limited to those who want to develop their existing career in the cannabis industry (leadership roles), learners who want to compete for positions in the cannabis industry and those who are interested in working in government/regulatory affairs in relation to cannabis. The duration of the certificate program ranges from 9 months to a year. The goal of this program

is to provide learners with the problem-solving skills that are needed to succeed in the cannabis industry. The rationale for proposing this program was founded based on the changes in laws throughout the United States that support both medicinal and recreational cannabis use. The program provides a foundation for learners to understand the history of cannabis laws and the evolution of cannabis as both medicine and a profitable recreational commodity. Learners will also develop entrepreneurial skills that may influence the creation of businesses that support the cannabis industry (ancillary).

Program learning objectives.

• Apply the principles of cannabis business as practitioners/future practitioners in the industry.
• Demonstrate the skills necessary to identify and solve complex problems in the cannabis industry.
• Develop skills to inspire innovation and entrepreneurialism in the cannabis industry.
• Explore the principles of marketing for the cannabis industry into practices
• Establish leadership skills to support the needs of consumers, patients, and cannabis businesses.
• Apply best practices for serving medical cannabis patients.

To be considered for admission into a degree or professional certificate program, students must be a high school graduate or have received a General Equivalency Diploma (GED), Pennsylvania Home School Diploma or other recognized equivalency diploma. High School Students applying with an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher may be considered for regular admission. Students applying with a GPA below a 2.0 in high school or from another college or university, if accepted, will be admitted conditionally. Please submit an application for admission and a copy of high school and/or college transcript(s). Some applicants may be required to attend a personal interview with the Admissions Office.

An admission essay may be deemed optional for all applicants whose GPA meets or exceeds the minimum for acceptance into the desired program. For certificates and degrees in the Schools of Humanities and Business, the minimum GPA for acceptance is 2.0. For most Health Sciences certificates and degrees, unless otherwise specified, the minimum GPA is 2.2.

In order to be successful in an online environment, students must have consistent and reliable access to a computer and reliable internet connection. Students are permitted to enroll in completely online degree programs during the program's scheduled enrollment availability.

Online courses follow the College's year-round schedule of quarterly, 11-week terms. Students need reliable access to the internet and a computer capable of running current software; access to speakers, a microphone, webcam, printer, and scanner may be necessary for online courses.

This program has Spring and Fall starts. Upcoming start dates: April 12, 2027, October 11, 2027.

Tuition and fees. Undergraduate tuition is $525 per credit for all majors. A Student/Technology Fee of $510 per term (5 or more credits) or $315 (4 or fewer credits) is required. A one-time $150 graduation fee applies.

Books and other expenses. Variable expenses per term (estimates): textbooks $350–$450; course material fees approximately $50–$150 per course; personal $150–$250; transportation $150–$300.

Financial aid. The catalog does not state whether this certificate is an eligible program for federal financial aid; contact the Financial Aid Office (financialaid@centralpenn.edu, 1-800-759-2727). To receive financial aid a student must be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program and be enrolled on at least a half-time basis (4 credits). Central Penn’s FAFSA school code is 004890.

Payment options. Tuition and expenses are paid each term approximately three weeks before the term starts. Central Penn has a short-term three-month payment plan through CASHNet that divides the balance of the tuition owed by three payments; there is a $35 non-refundable application fee paid with the first payment. An Employer Reimbursement Tuition Agreement Plan lets students who receive tuition reimbursement from their employer defer payment until the specified dates.

Military benefits. Military benefits accepted include the Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapters 30 and 1606), Veterans Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31), the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) and Yellow Ribbon Program, Dependents’ Education Assistance (Chapter 35) and Tuition Assistance.

Net price calculator. Use Central Penn’s Net Price Calculator at https://npc.collegeboard.org/app/centralpenn for an early estimate of your total annual cost.

Careers you can pursue. Dispensary Manager, Budtender, Cannabis Cultivation Technician, Quality Assurance/Control Specialist, Cannabis Compliance Specialist, Cannabis Laboratory Technician, Marketing and Sales, Inventory Manager, Cannabis Product Development Specialist, Cannabis Consultant.

College-wide outcome. 89.2% of Central Penn graduates were employed in their chosen field or continuing their education within one year of graduation (graduates July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025; One-Year Graduate Follow-up Report published July 1, 2026).