Cannabis Production and CBD Extraction Certificate

As the cannabis and hemp industries grow, so does the need for qualified professionals to fill a variety of positions. With the Cannabis Production and CBD Extraction certificate from Wilkes, you will learn CBD extraction and hemp growing techniques to properly and safely meet public demand and enhance your career potential.

You may also want to explore the bachelor of science degree in Cannabis Chemistry.

Program Snapshot

Program Type Format Credit Hours
Certificate Hybrid 16

Why Pursue a Cannabis Production and CBD Extraction Certificate at Wilkes?

The certificate is designed to serve the needs of current pharmacy, biology and chemistry students, as well as those working in the industry who want to advance their careers.

Full-time, doctoral-level members of the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥app faculty teach all of the courses in the program. The cross-disciplinary nature of the certificate, featuring experts from pharmacy, biology and chemistry, provides you with a broad perspective on analytical methods and side effects of cannabis-derived compounds.

You’ll have access to cutting-edge facilities including growth chambers and greenhouses, as well as sophisticated equipment used for extractions and chemical analysis. Over two years, you’ll gain vital hands-on experience, which culminates in capstone research, demonstrating your knowledge of cannabis quality and safety.

As legislation changes and medical and recreational use of cannabis increases, your certificate completion will enhance your employment opportunities and give you a competitive advantage in this soon-to-be billion-dollar industry.

What Will You Learn in the Cannabis Production and CBD Extraction Certificate Program?

  • Explore the growth and use of hemp, as well as the THC threshold to meet legal compliance.
  • Learn about the horticulture and chemical analysis of cannabis plants.
  • Examine medical uses of cannabis.
  • Explore pharmacology, toxicology and chemical analysis of cannabis and cannabinoids.
  • Investigate the physiology of cannabis plants and the effects of cannabinoids on the nervous and immune systems.

Curriculum

Required

Based on educational and professional experience, some required courses may be waived.

  • PHA 461 – Cannabis Law and Policy – 1 credit
  • PHA 462 – Hemp Biology and Physiology of Hemp with Lab – 3 credits and 1 credit
  • PHA 463 – Cannabis and Cannabinoids – 3 credits
  • PHA 464 – CBD Analysis and Extraction Lab – 2 credits
  • PHA 465 – Therapeutics of Medicinal Cannabis – 3 credits
  • PHA 466 – Capstone Research – 3 credits

Optional Electives

  • Medical Botany
  • Pain Management
  • Neuro Psychology

Pre-requisites

Pre-requisites required for the certificate program include:

  • CHM 115 – Elements and Compounds
  • CHM 116 – The Chemical Reaction
  • MTH 111 – Calculus I
  • CHM 235 – Essentials of Organic Chemistry
  • BIO 121 – Principles of Modern Biology I
  • BIO 122 – Principles of Modern Biology II
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It's helpful to understand the science of why certain products are going to be more effective for certain conditions. Providing increased education will make people more valuable to the cannabis industry, which is continuing to grow and expand both in PA and throughout much of the country

Lexie Panek '21 - PharmD

Program Highlights

Cross-Disciplinary Expertise

During this two-year certificate program, you will learn from doctoral-level faculty in pharmacy, chemistry and biology, providing you with broad knowledge of topics needed for success in the cannabis industry.

Room To Grow

Gain practical experience through ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥app’s facilities including a greenhouse and eight growth chambers.

Industry Leader

With medical cannabis use allowed in Pennsylvania and the potential to follow neighboring New York and New Jersey with recreational legalization, you can position yourself as a knowledgeable professional in a rapidly growing, job-creating industry.

Careers & Outcomes

Job opportunities in the legal cannabis industry continue to increase, with the 2022 Leafly Jobs Report citing 33% growth in job numbers in a single year. Average annual wages for chemists in all industries range from about $48,000 to $134,780, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Popular Careers

  • Analytical Chemist
  • Quality Assurance Chemist
  • Quality Control Chemist
  • Product Manager
  • Laboratory Manager
  • Method Development Chemist
  • Extraction Chemist
  • Extraction Technician
  • Extraction and Refinement Manager
  • Research Chemist
  • Research & Development Chemist
  • Laboratory Supervisor
  • Director of Manufacturing