A rigorous, college-level cannabis certificate by an accredited institution
- Do you have the skills to consult on the safe and effective use of cannabis?
- Are you prepared to help and guide your patients/clients?
- Do you know how to answer their questions?
Stand out as a highly educated pioneer in your profession! Learn how to coach patients on the therapeutic effects of the medicine, dosing, self-triation approaches and ingestion methods, while promoting overall health and well-being naturally.
Medical Cannabis Certificate Programs Overview
3 Courses / 8 College Credits
100% Online
Financial Aid for those who qualify
Combination of optional recorded live classes & asynchronous assignments
Pacific College is accredited by the WASC
Can be completed in as few as 6 months
1 Certificate: 2 Tracks
Two Certificate Tracks Available
1. For Health Professionals
In July of 2018, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) created guidelines for nurses that defined six essential areas of knowledge and skills that all nurses must have to work with medical cannabis patients.
Pacific College believes that these needs are universal and appropriate for all healthcare workers and has used these guidelines as the basis for its certificate.
2. For other Professionals
Fortunately, the above guidelines are just as useful to any serious student of medical cannabis. Those wishing to apply this knowledge as health coaches, consultants, or entrepreneurs will be as well-informed as our front line healthcare workers
Note: Graduates of the Pacific College’s Medical Cannabis Certificate programs can transfer their credits to the MS-MCT program
“I highly recommend the medical cannabis program at Pacific College. In my practice, I can now confidently consult with my patients on the safe and effective use of cannabis. I learned from the program how to provide coaching for patients around the general use of cannabis for various health issues as well as the use of additional holistic modalities. Pacific College’s program helped me bridge the gap between curiosity of cannabis, to speaking openly about cannabis with my patients.”
Fernanda Durlene, DACM, LAc
Sedona Ranch Acupuncture & Retreats
Schedule and course delivery
The Medical Cannabis certificate program courses are offered online, using a combination of synchronous and self-paced formats. For each seven-week course, two to three weeks are comprised of live classes, while the rest is asynchronous coursework with defined outcomes. A full-time student can complete the program in as few as six months.
Live classes are delivered in real time, with audio and video connection to faculty and fellow students. The connection among participants is comparable to that of on-site classes with the added benefit of attending from the comfort and convenience of your home.
Distance education extends students’ network of opportunities internationally, while Pacific College’s synchronous instructional design fosters camaraderie often exceeding that of on-site models
Program Learning Outcomes
- Explain how cannabis works in the human system.
- Understand the physiology of the endocannabinoid system.
- Describe the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of medicinal cannabis in relationship to supporting homeostasis.
- Define how holistic modalities upregulate the endocannabinoid system.
- Explore the evidence of cannabis effectiveness with specific diseases.
- Understand the social issues related to cannabis.
- Know the historical, legal, and ethical issues related to the prohibition and legalization of cannabis.
- Consider how one’s professional role and standards/scope of professional practice relate to supporting patients’ use of medicinal cannabis.
- Consult with patients on safe and effective use of cannabis.
- Provide coaching regarding the general use of cannabis for pain, PTSD, and other health-related issues.
- Identify indications of possible abusse and adverse side effects of cannabis.
- Define how cannabis can fit into a healthy lifestyle.
- Explore how the endocannabinoid system can be upregulated to enhance homeostasis.
- Use a modern holistic approach to healthcare.
- Apply humanistic, culturally competent, person-based care or advice while respecting personal and family values.
- Conduct evidence-based cannabis research.
- Use reflective practice and critical thinking to evaluate outcomes.
- Communicate effectively with the entire interprofessional team.
- Define best business approaches and healthcare marketing practices related to cannabis.
Medical Cannabis Certificate Courses
Click on the image inside any of the thumbnails below to read the course description (note: clicking on the course name will not open the pop-up window).
Endocannabinoid System and Pharmacology
3 Credits
- Anatomy and physiology of the human endocannabinoid system
- Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of medicinal cannabis
- Evidence-based cannabis research
- High-risk populations
- Drug-drug interactions and adverse effects of cannabis use
- Routes of cannabis administration
Clinical Medical Cannabis Guidelines and Professional Practice
3 Credits
- Historical, legal, and ethical issues related to prohibition and
legalization of cannabis - Scope of professional practice in the context of medical cannabis
patient consultations - Coaching for patients around the general use of cannabis for pain,
mental health, and other health-related issues - Holistic modalities to upregulate the endocannabinoid system
- Adverse effects of cannabis use
Capstone
Capstone
Cannabis Care Capstone | 2 Credits
Design a practical or professional project that aligns with your goals as a
cannabis healthcare professional.
OR
Cannabis Industry Capstone | 2 Credits
Explore concepts unique to the cannabis industry (size, trends, funding,
banking, insurance, licensure, advocacy responsibilities, and opportunities)
and build a project that provides clarity for your area of interest within the
cannabis space.
Medical Cannabis Certificate FAQ
Who is eligible for the certificate program?
Anyone with at least one of the following:
- A license in a healthcare field
- At least an associate degree in a healthcare field or bio science field from an accredited institution recognized by the US Department of Education or international equivalent
- Any PCOM student who has completed second year comps
How long is this program?
What is the schedule/classes like?
What is the tuition?
Are you accredited?
Do you offer financial aid?
What can I do with this certificate upon graduation?
Can I take just 1 course?
Are the classes recorded?
Can I recommend medical cannabis upon completion?
Are there books for the classes?
Ready to Apply?
If you think a career in medical cannabis is something you would like to pursue, contact us and speak to an admissions representative to get started on your new journey!