MS in Medical Cannabis Science & Business

The MS in Medical Cannabis Science & Business program provides a unique and distinct combination of evidence-based science and business concepts, and all courses are taught by faculty members who are recognized as national experts and leaders in the cannabis field.

Graduates of the masters program are trained to be successful in a wide variety of cannabis or hemp-related fields: from bench research, to product R&D, to entrepreneurs in the cannabis space (dispensaries, edible baking company, certified labs, consultants), to cannabis policy creation or lobbying efforts, to any medical professional looking to get more understanding or create a specialty practice to advise or consult with customers. This program is designed to expertly prepare you to you be the experts in the field.

Graduates of the Jefferson Cannabis Certificates work in a variety of roles and for a wide range of companies, including: Extraction Chemist at Jushi Holdings, Laboratory Manager at Hanging Gardens, Pain Physician, Family Physician at Lehigh Valley Health, Director of Purchasing and Cultivation Relations at Restore Integrative Wellness Center, CMO at Ananda Pharmaceuticals, Senior Scientist at Merck. A few graduates are owners and founders of companies in the cannabis field.

Yes. Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and are interested in receiving federal or state aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Graduate students enrolled as degree seeking with at least six (6) credit hours can be considered for the federal direct unsubsidized Stafford loan and the graduate PLUS loan. Prospective students who have questions about financing their education should visit the Jefferson Office of Financial Aid or contact Emmie Joyce.

The program offers complete flexibility in terms of number of courses per semester and course sequence. Students can complete the MS program in as little as 16 months (4 semesters; 2-3 courses per semester) or as long as 4 years (11 semesters; 1 course per semester). To see sample curricula, visit our curriculum page.

Yes, students enrolled in the MS program come from many different academic backgrounds.

Students who do not have a science background may have to spend more time than the estimated 8-10 hours per week to master the content in the cannabis science courses. Students who have not completed at least one semester of general chemistry can still be admitted into the MS program; however, they are strongly advised to complete an online, basic chemistry course (no lab component needed) at any local community college prior to enrolling into the cannabis science courses.

It is perfectly fine to ask any colleague, employer, or individual who can speak to your strengths, intelligence, work ethic, and Interprofessional communication. They can highlight your ability to succeed in a graduate studies program.

You can expect to spend 8-10 hours per week per course completing online course work, which typically includes recorded lectures, assigned readings, online discussion boards, and assignments.

No. All coursework is online and mostly asynchronous (recorded lectures, readings, etc) and can be completed at any time of day. Each course has a small number of synchronous class discussions, which are often flexible and scheduled based on student availability.

Once all application materials (including supplemental materials) are received by the Graduate School, the Admissions Committee will review completed applications on a rolling basis. Once a decision is made by the committee, the Graduate School will contact you regarding the decision and next steps.

Yes. However, since the program is entirely online, it is not eligible for F-1 or J-1 student visa sponsorship by Thomas Jefferson University. International applicants may be required to submit results from an English Language Proficiency Exam.

The 2023-24 tuition cost of the program is $773 per credit + fees. Tuition rate and detailed information about the fees are here.

We do not currently offer scholarships, fellowships, or grants to students in this program. Prospective students who have questions about financing their education should contact the Office of Financial Aid