The cannabis industry is growing rapidly in Pennsylvania, and Alvernia University is looking to make sure a skilled workforce is available to support it.

Alvernia officials announced that it is launching the Alvernia Cannabis Academy. The workforce-aligned certificate program is being established in partnership with the Cleveland School of Cannabis (CSC).

Enrollment is open for the academy, with new groups launching monthly.

“As part of our mission as a comprehensive regional university, Alvernia is committed to developing innovative academic programming that meets the needs of the region’s workforce,” Dr. Gaetan T. Giannini, Alvernia vice president for graduate and adult education, said in a statement announcing the launch. “The Alvernia Cannabis Academy expands access to professional education in one of the fastest-growing industries in the commonwealth and reflects our commitment to providing flexible, career-focused options for all learners.”

The academy will be run through Alvernia’s Accelerate AU platform for non-credit and professional programs. It will be a self-paced online course developed and delivered by CSC industry experts designed to provide students with knowledge in areas such as cannabis cultivation, dispensary operations, medical cannabis, cannabinoid science and extraction techniques.

Upon completion, students earn certificates jointly issued by Alvernia and CSC, equipping them for roles in dispensaries, cultivation centers, product development and beyond, officials said.

Alvernia is the first college in Berks County to offer a cannabis industry related academic program.

“This partnership with Alvernia University enables us to expand the reach of our expert-led curriculum to new learners who want to be part of this dynamic industry,” said Tyrone Russell, president of the Cleveland School of Cannabis. “We’re proud to work alongside a university that values ethical leadership, community engagement and student-centered learning.”

The creation of the academy comes amid a boom in Pennsylvania’s cannabis industry. According to officials from Alvernia, the state’s medical marijuana program currently serves over 440,000 registered patients.

And if adult-use legislation is enacted in the state, it could generate up to $2.8 billion in annual sales and create over 45,000 jobs, according to a recent analysis by FTI Consulting.

For more information about the academy, visit alvernia.edu/academics/academy/cannabis-academy.