Cannabis Studies: Horticulture

As a burgeoning industry, Cannabis Horticulture provides an untapped well of potential career opportunities. That is why our industry-experienced faculty and staff at the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology want to highlight our cannabis studies programs, all of which have been designed to explore the opportunities afforded by this emerging field.

About Our Cannabis Horticulture A.S.

The Cannabis Horticulture associate degree program prepares graduates to start their own businesses, manage a grow and extraction operation or pursue a career in in businesses supporting the cannabis horticulture industry. Our Cannabis Horticulture degree even allows students to transfer credits to a transfer credits earned at P.I.T. to other universities and expand their knowledge in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree!

Through a careful examination of the botany, growing, harvesting, and extraction aspects of careers in Cannabis Horticulture, students will be exposed to all levels of a grow operation. As you complete each of our Cannabis Horticulture courses, you can expect to further expand your knowledge in the field before taking on a rewarding career in the cannabis industry.

Benefits of Pursuing an In-Person or Online Cannabis Horticulture Degree

Legal cannabis is currently one of the greatest job-creation machines in America. The Leafly Jobs Report found 428,059 full-time equivalent jobs supported by legal cannabis as of January 2022. Leafly also reported that during the previous year the cannabis industry created an average of 280 new jobs per day. The future looks even brighter!

Cannabis is now a 25-billion-dollar business in the United States. That’s a 33% increase in jobs in a single year. Annual job growth has been greater than 27% for five years in a row.

As the cannabis industry continues to grow and evolve, so does the need for individuals to work in these specialized positions. With that in mind, upon graduating with your Cannabis Horticulture degree, some benefits of pursuing a career in the field include the following:

• Contributing to the overall expansion of health and wellness
• Practicing sustainable efforts that give back to the environment
• Providing cutting-edge research on new possible strain formulations
• Challenging the stigma of medical and recreational marijuana use
• Connecting with like-minded individuals in the industry
• Pursuing a passion for cannabis growth and distribution

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 Horticulture 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 horticulture 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 horticulture 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.

This program is currently an eligible program under the PHEAA Grow PA Grant Program for eligible Pennsylvania students.

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

Graduates of P.I.T.’s Cannabis Horticulture program are prepared for careers focused on cannabis cultivation, production, and facility operations. Potential career paths include:

• Cannabis Cultivation Technician
• Grow Facility Manager
• Greenhouse or Indoor Grow Specialist
• Propagation and Plant Care Technician
• Harvest and Post-Harvest Technician
• Irrigation and Nutrient Management Specialist
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Technician
• Cultivation Operations Supervisor

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.