Cannabis Business Certificate

Discover this 100% online Cannabis Businesss Certificate

We believe education in emerging industries should be flexible, affordable, and accessible to all learners. That’s why this University of Maine at Farmington Cannabis Business certificate, powered by YourPace at UMPI, allows you to earn your credential fully online and at a pace that fits your life. YourPace is designed to help you balance your studies with work and family while gaining the practical and interdisciplinary skills you need to succeed in a growing, regulated industry.

The Cannabis Business Undergraduate Certificate offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary curriculum designed for students aiming to launch their own cannabis-related enterprise, or to find work in this field. The program blends key courses in chemistry and biology, equipping students with the scientific knowledge necessary to understand cannabis cultivation, production, and product safety. Political science courses provide insight into the regulatory landscape, and explore the evolution of cannabis policy and culture. This academic foundation ensures students are prepared not only for the scientific and operational aspects of the cannabis industry but also for navigating its complex legal and political environment.

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What is Competency-Based Education?

Designed to leverage your previous knowledge, college coursework, and work experience, competency-based education enables you to earn your degree at your pace as you demonstrate mastery of relevant academic content. The University of Maine at Presque Isle has been a leader in delivering competency-based education since 2017.

How YourPace saves you time and money:

Prove your knowledge, move ahead—the faster you advance, the more you save
Flat tuition rate per 8-week session, no matter how many courses you complete
With no weekly deadlines, you control the speed of completion*

*Time to completion varies by student and is based on several factors including prior college coursework, relevant work experience, amount of time dedicated to studying, and the number of courses completed each session.

Upcoming Session Dates

The Dates YourPace Students need to know

There are six opportunities throughout the year to begin our YourPace online program. Find the start date below that works best for you and apply before the application deadline. Please note, application and document deadlines are the same. UMPI must receive all documents including official transcripts by the document deadline to be considered. Transcripts can often take 10 or more business days from the request date to be received by UMPI, please plan accordingly.

Term	START DATE	APP DEADLINE (4:00 PM ET)	DOCUMENT DEADLINE	CONFIRMATION DEADLINE (4:00 PM ET)	REGISTRATION DEADLINE	TUITION DEADLINE	CLASS END DATE	Term Length
Fall 2	10/27/25	09/26/25	10/07/25	10/14/25	10/21/25	10/23/25	12/19/25	8 weeks
Spring 1	01/27/26	12/15/25	12/23/25	12/30/25	01/06/26	01/08/26	03/06/26	8 weeks
Spring 2	03/09/26	02/09/26	02/17/26	02/24/26	03/03/26	03/05/26	05/01/26	8 weeks
Summer 1	05/11/26	04/13/26	04/21/26	04/28/26	05/05/26	05/07/26	07/03/26	8 weeks
Summer 2	07/26/26	06/08/26	06/16/26	06/23/26	06/30/26	07/02/26	08/28/26	8 weeks
Fall 1	08/31/26	08/03/26	08/11/26	08/18/26	08/25/26	08/27/26	10/23/26	8 weeks
Fall 2	10/26/26	09/28/26	10/06/26	10/13/26	10/20/26	10/22/26	12/18/26	8 weeks

Cannabis Science Certificate

This multi-campus minor takes advantage of expertise from across the University of Maine System to prepare students for careers in the Cannabis industry. Through a mix of online and in-person classes, students in the program will gain skills and knowledge in plant propagation, greenhouse cultivation and management, disease and insect pest management, and extraction and analysis techniques.

Program Requirements:

BIO 101 – Introduction to Cannabis Cultivation Credits: 4
BUS 230 – Cannabis Business Planning Credits: 3
BUS 330 – Operations Management in the Marijuana Industry Credits: 3
CHY 101 – Introduction to Cannabis Chemistry Credits: 4
POS 246 – The History and Future of Cannabis Credits: 3
POS 346 – Cannabis Law and Policy Credits: 3

Learning the Science Behind the Industry

UMF’s Cannabis Science program gives students the chance to dive into one of today’s most exciting and fast-growing industries. With a mix of biology, chemistry, and business, students learn how to connect science with real-world applications—from plant growth and testing to product development and policy. Faculty from across disciplines work together to guide students through hands-on labs, research projects, and discussions about the future of cannabis science. It’s a dynamic, collaborative program that helps students build the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in this evolving field.

YourPace Tuition

Learn more about our affordable tuition

The YourPace Cannabis Business Certificate program offers an affordable flat tuition rate, ensuring you pay the same amount per session regardless of how many courses you complete. With no hidden fees or additional textbook costs, this flexible competency-based education program allows you to save more the faster you finish. Whether you’re looking to accelerate your degree or complete courses at your own pace, you’ll benefit from transparent pricing and a cost-effective learning experience.

Tuition breakdown:

$1,800 per session

Flat-Rate Tuition

Have questions or need more information about competency-based education?

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Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from UMPI?

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UMPI is ranked as one of the top 10 Regional Colleges in the North for graduates with least debt—UMPI is the top institution in Maine and all of New England to appear on this list. – U.S. News & World Report, 2025.

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Requirements for these Cannabis Science program offerings

We’ve made the admission process simple and streamlined so it’s easier for you to get started. Those interested in earning their competency based education certificate in Cannabis Business should have the equivalent of a high school diploma and possess some prior college credit and/or work experience.

Admission Requirements:

No Application Fee

Minimum 1.75 GPA

Admissions Requirements and Guidelines for Undergraduate Programs

Applicants must be at least 20 years of age at the time of application, unless they have previously earned a bachelor’s or an associate’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
High school diploma or equivalent (e.g., HiSet, GED)
Minimum cumulative college GPA of 1.75 from the most recently attended institution
- Submission of all official transcripts:Transcripts are only considered official if they are sent directly to UMPI from the granting institution or their electronic ordering service. Student-submitted transcripts are not accepted.
Students who do not have any college credits must submit the following:
- Provide high school transcript, high school equivalency test (HiSet), or GED

Instructions for international students:

All international transcripts will only be accepted if the student provides them through an evaluation service. The evaluation agency must be a member of NACES or AICE. We will not accept unofficial copies (e.g., from the student)
Canadian schools and universities from a French-only institution (mostly in the province of Quebec) must be evaluated
International students are required to demonstrate English proficiency by submitting scores from an English language proficiency test taken no more than two-years prior to date of application

Additional guidelines for international applicants may be found here.

Please Note: Applicants must be at least 20 years of age at the time of application, unless they have previously earned a bachelor’s or an associate’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. We do offer other programs that may meet your needs. If you would like more information about our traditional programs, please visit https://www.umpi.edu/admissions/. You can also reach out to the Admissions Office at umpi-admissions@maine.edu or by calling 207.768.9433.

Institutions and third-party vendors may submit official documents such as official transcripts and English proficiency exam score reports to: edocs@maine.edu

Mailing Address:

Application Processing Center
PO Box 412
Bangor, ME 04402-0412

Key Areas of Cannabis Science

Cannabis sativa L. contains over 125 cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), each with distinct effects on the human body. Understanding these compounds is crucial for developing targeted therapeutic applications.

Cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, influencing various physiological processes. Research focuses on how these interactions can be harnessed for medical treatments, including pain management, epilepsy, and mental health disorders.

Cannabis has shown potential in treating conditions such as chronic pain, nausea from chemotherapy, and certain neurological disorders. Ongoing studies aim to refine dosing, delivery methods, and efficacy.

As cannabis legalization expands, research examines its impact on public health, including potential benefits and risks. Studies also inform policy decisions regarding regulation, safety standards, and education.

YourPace Partnership Program

This University of Maine at Farmington degree is powered by YourPace at UMPI. This innovative YourPace partnership program provides adult learners with an incredibly flexible, accessible, and affordable pathway to degree completion and career advancement. UMPI is the first public university in New England to offer accredited CBE degrees and is the only campus in the University of Maine System approved by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) to deliver CBE programming.

NECHE

The University of Maine at Presque Isle and the University of Maine at Farmington are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

University of Maine System

UMPI and UMF are respected members of the University of Maine System.

C-BEN

UMPI is proud to be a member institution in the Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN).

Next Step: Admissions

We’re so excited that you’re considering the University of Maine at Presque Isle! As a student at UMPI, we want your experience to be anything but ordinary! So what makes UMPI extraordinary? Our Learning Environment, Our Student Engagement and Our Location!

No matter what stage of life you are in, we can help you take the plunge into higher education and put you on YOUR PATH TO SUCCESS!

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Cannabis Business Certificate