Cannabis Studies: Business

With in-person and fully online classes available, our Cannabis Business degree program aims to provide committed learners with quality, collegiate, and career-enhancing cannabis-based business education. We build a supportive environment that promotes personal growth, preparing graduates for successful careers and college transfer opportunities.

About Our Cannabis Business A.S.

Cannabis Business students will focus on a combination of pathways to determine the most promising path for their careers. Students enrolled in our cannabis business courses will be exposed to all levels of vertically integrated business models through a careful examination of the science, botany, marketing, and accounting aspects of a cannabis business.

As medicinal and recreational cannabis business opportunities continue to expand, employment opportunities are emerging and growing by leaps and bounds. To take advantage of this, our online cannabis degree program prepares graduates to start their own business, work for a dispensary or grow operation, or transfer credits to earn a bachelor’s degree!

The national cannabis sales figures for 2021 ($25 billion) were about 25% of the industry’s potential. It is projected that cannabis revenue is expected to almost double in 2025, and even then it would be less than half of the total potential market.

In 2021, America’s legal cannabis industry created more than 280 new jobs every day. A person was hired for a marijuana-related job every two minutes of the work day, on average. The employment prospects in 2025 will greatly exceed this amount.

Why Choose P.I.T.

P.I.T. has been making a difference in the lives of students for over 70 years, helping prepare them for high-demand, rewarding careers. By choosing Pennsylvania Institute of Technology’s Cannabis Business program, you’ll reap a variety of benefits such as:

• Unique learning approach – We supply you with a career-focused education, providing you with cutting-edge knowledge and skills.
• Experience in your desired field – P.I.T. gives you guidance from an industry-experienced, caring, mentoring faculty dedicated to helping you grow. With their help, you’ll gain experience through class assignments, research projects, internships, co-ops, and more!
• Extensive support services – Ranging from individualized professional tutoring to job placement, we offer support services to ensure your success.
• Flexibility – Our cannabis business courses are offered online, meaning you can complete your work on your own schedule. In person instruction is also available.

In addition to these benefits, by taking our cannabis business courses, you’ll also receive:

• A 15-1 student-to-faculty ratio
• Free tutoring
• The opportunity to apply for financial aid
• Transfer assistance, career help, counseling, and more!

P.I.T. is an open admissions college for most of our programs. Admission requirements vary according to majors. At a minimum, all applicants must be graduates of an accredited high school; hold a diploma issued by the PADOE or have a recognized equivalent, such as a General Educational Development (GED). High School diplomas/transcripts from other countries are acceptable as long as they are equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma, as determined by an evaluation service approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

Although enrollment is open to high school graduates or those with a GED, all new students must meet minimum academic skill levels. Applications for admission are accepted throughout the year, and acceptance is offered on a rolling basis.

Applicants to the Cannabis Studies Program who meet the following requirements are eligible for admission: an official high school transcript or GED diploma with scores; at least 18 years old; a US citizen, permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen; a completed application; and official college or post-secondary transcripts, if applicable.

P.I.T. operates on an accelerated 11-week academic term. Format: Traditional, Hybrid, Online. Scheduling: Full-Time and Part-Time. The Cannabis Studies program is a twenty-four (24) month program with both a live and 100% virtual option.

The next start date is January 11, 2027.

Tuition. Tuition is $505 per credit hour for 26/27. A full-time student is enrolled for 9 credits or more per term; part-time students enroll in 5-8 credits per term. A Technology Fee ($50 per credit) is assessed to cover the costs of P.I.T.’s online learning platform, classroom laboratory equipment, software, and related technology.

Other fees. Graduation Fee $100 (caps and gowns, degree or certificate, and commencement expenses); Transfer Credit Fee $150 per evaluation; Assessment of Experiential Learning Fee $150 plus $25 per credit; Return Check Fee and Stop Payment Fee $35 each (non-refundable).

2026-2027 Cost of Attendance (full-time undergraduate, estimated). Direct costs: tuition $13,635 and technology fees $1,350 (subtotal $14,985). Estimated indirect costs: books, course materials, supplies and equipment $1,316; transportation $5,455; living expenses off campus (housing and food) $18,216 or with parent $5,089; personal expenses $1,641; loan fees $149. Students are billed separately for each term, so the annual amounts may be divided by three to estimate a single term. Some programs may charge additional course fees when applicable.

Textbooks. Students may purchase the required textbooks through any bookseller of their choice; for some programs and courses, the college may supply books or online resources. Students whose funding includes a book allowance may request a stipend through the Business Office.

Paying for college. Full payment of tuition and fees is expected before each term begins; students must pay the balance in full or be approved for a College-acceptable payment plan. P.I.T. participates in the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Direct Loan, and Federal Work-Study programs, and eligible Pennsylvania residents may receive the PHEAA State Grant. Most programs at P.I.T. are approved for VA benefits. P.I.T. also offers scholarships, lists alternative private lenders through ElmSelect, and accepts employer tuition reimbursement.

FAFSA. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and add P.I.T.’s federal school code: 010998. Estimate your costs with P.I.T.’s Net Price Calculator.

Career Opportunities For Graduates

When you take our cannabis business classes and graduate from our program, you’ll be able to choose from a wide variety of careers, as there are many positions available in the medical marijuana and CBD industries.

Some of the possible roles you could find yourself in include:

• Dispensary Manager
• Product Formulation
• Marketing and Sales
• Compliance Specialist
• Product Advisor

Institution-wide outcomes (P.I.T. consumer disclosures). Job placement rates: 25% (1/2020–12/2020), 51% (1/2021–12/2021), 65% (1/2022–12/2022), 60% (1/2023–12/2023). Graduation rate within 150% of normal time: 19.5% for the Fall 2019 cohort (2025-26 reporting year).

Job Placement Services offer job search coaching, résumé and cover letter assistance, interview techniques and mock interviews; lifelong job placement services are available free to all degree graduates.