Cannabis Science (Graduate Certificate)

Application Deadlines

Deadline dates for applications and receipt of all application materials required:

Any exceptions to these deadlines must be granted by the graduate program chair.

Application Materials Required for the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Science

All applicants for the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Science must submit the following documentation to Graduate Admissions to be considered for admission:

Graduate Admissions
Jacksonville State University
700 Pelham Road North
Jacksonville, Alabama 36265-1602

1. Completed JSU Graduate Application for Admission.
2. Non-refundable $35.00 application processing fee.
3. Official transcripts from the baccalaureate degree awarding institution and all transcripts from institutions where post-baccalaureate work has been completed. To be considered for admission, applicants must hold a degree from an institutionally accredited institution or its foreign equivalent. (Students who have previously attended JSU do not need to request a transcript from the university.)
4. A brief (1-2 page) essay that conveys information about your motivations for attending graduate school, what you hope to achieve in your area of biological interest, and your aspirations following the completion of the graduate certificate.
5. Three Graduate Reference Forms completed by individuals who can provide a qualitative assessment of the applicant’s potential for success in graduate coursework. Reference forms will be submitted electronically. Instructions for submission will be sent through email to the applicant upon submission of the online graduate application.
6. International student applicants must see the International Student Applicants section of this catalog for other application and enrollment requirements.

Admission Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Science

Applicants to the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Science must meet both the Graduate School requirements and Biology Department requirements.

Applicants to the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Science must have an undergraduate major in biology or its equivalent, as determined by the Biology Department, including courses equivalent to all of the following:

• BY 101 Introductory Biology I (3)
• BY 103 Introductory Biology Lab I (1)
• BY 102 Introductory Biology II (3)
• BY 104 Introductory Biology Lab II (1)
• BY 322 Genetics (WI) (4)
• BY 332 Ecology (4)
• BY 373 Cell Biology (4).

Applicants with majors in other natural sciences or mathematics will be considered for admission; however, additional courses may be required. The following or their equivalent are suggested.

• MS 113 Precalculus Trigonometry (3)
• CY 105 General Chemistry I (3)
• CY 107 General Chemistry Laboratory I (1)
• CY 106 General Chemistry II (3)
• CY 108 General Chemistry Laboratory II (1)
• PHS 201 College Physics I (3)
• PHS 203 College Physics Laboratory Techniques I (1)
• PHS 202 College Physics II (3)
• PHS 204 College Physics Laboratory Techniques II (1)

Unconditional Admission

To obtain unconditional admission into the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Science, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 2.50 including a minimum GPA of 3.00 in the major.
• No course deficiencies as determined by the Admission Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Science.

Conditional Admission

Any applicant failing to meet the requirements for unconditional admission may be conditionally admitted with the recommendation of a graduate faculty sponsor(s) and approved by the graduate program committee or the department chair.

Applicants who are granted conditional admission must meet immediately with Dr. Lori Hensley, the Biology Department Head, to discuss program benchmarks and timelines. The student must also achieve a GPA of at least 3.00 on the first 12 graduate hours attempted. Failure to meet these conditions will result in the student being dropped from graduate studies.

The graduate certificate in Cannabis Science provides a promising path to employment in the Cannabis field, the fastest growing industry in the United States. This program gives our graduate students a strong background in the area, making them sought-after candidates for jobs. 

Students are required to complete a minimum of five (5) graduate courses (a minimum of 15 graduate credit hours) from the following (courses may have prerequisites):

 15 Graduate Semester Hours Required for this Certificate

Graduation and Comprehensive Exam