As the cannabis industry matures, so does the need for professionals with deep, specialized knowledge. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, an experienced cultivator, or a retail team member looking to advance, Oaksterdam University’s upcoming Live Cohort Programs are your gateway to mastering the green economy.
Backed by over 30 years of cannabis education leadership, these live cohorts offer expert instruction, real-time engagement, and peer collaboration—setting you apart in a competitive and evolving industry.
Commercial Horticulture Worker: Start Your Cultivation Career
The Commercial Horticulture Worker Live Cohort prepares you for day-one success in a licensed cultivation facility.
You build practical skills so you can step into an entry-level grow role with confidence.
You’ll Learn How To
- Support daily tasks in a commercial grow from veg to harvest
- Spot pests, pathogens, and nutrient issues early
- Follow standard operating procedures and compliance rules
- Work clean to protect quality, safety, and yields
Best For
- New growers aiming for their first job in cultivation
- Trimmers and post-harvest workers who want to move into plant care
- Career changers coming from adjacent fields like agriculture or horticulture
If you want to work with plants every day and become the teammate managers rely on, this cohort gives you a clear starting point.
Commercial Horticulture Management: Run an Efficient, Compliant Facility
The Commercial Horticulture Management Live Cohort focuses on the management side of the grow.
You connect plant science with staffing, compliance, and day-to-day decision-making.
You’ll Learn How To
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Lead cultivation teams and standardize production across rooms and shifts
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Use data to improve yields, reduce waste, and manage costs
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Build and enforce SOPs that keep quality and compliance on track
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Plan labor, scheduling, and workflow around the plant’s life cycle
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Respond quickly to issues like pests, disease, or equipment failures
Best For
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Current cultivation leads, supervisors, and managers
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Owners and executives who oversee cultivation teams
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Experienced growers moving into operations and leadership roles
If you are responsible for results at the facility level, this cohort gives you tools to protect margins, quality, and compliance while supporting your team.
Horticulture Mastery Certification: Lead the Grow Operation
The Horticulture Mastery Certification Live Cohort is built for people who want to run the room, not just work in it.
You go beyond basic plant care into full-scale commercial cultivation design and management.
You’ll Learn How To
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Design and manage indoor, greenhouse, and outdoor production
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Set up environments that support consistent, high-quality yields
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Plan substrates, nutrients, irrigation, and lighting in a coordinated way
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Build integrated pest management plans that protect both plants and people
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Use data, SOPs, and planning tools to keep operations efficient and compliant
Best For
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Cultivators ready to move into lead or supervisory roles
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Facility owners and operators who want a deeper technical foundation
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People planning to launch or scale a licensed cultivation business
If you want to understand the “why” behind every decision in the grow, this cohort helps you think and act like a cultivation leader.
Cannabis Breeding Certification: From Plant Passion to Genetic Innovation
This is an Advanced certification for those enthusiasts who have foundational knowledge of Horticulture.
The Cannabis Breeding Certification is a first-of-its-kind live course designed for those ready to go beyond cultivation and into the genetic future of the plant. Created with expert breeder James Loud, this program empowers you to select, stabilize, and innovate new cultivars based on market demand and plant science.
You’ll Learn:
- Breeding theory & strategies
- DNA, traits, and phenotype selection
- Propagation and facility design
- Data-driven cultivar development and IP protection
Why it matters: As cannabis markets mature, brands will win on consistency, uniqueness, and science-backed cultivation. Breeding knowledge will be your edge (Cannabis Business Times).
Cannabis Business Startup, Financing & Licensing: Go From Idea to Licensed Business
The Live Cannabis Business Startup, Financing & Licensing Certification gives you a clear roadmap from concept to compliant, funded operation.
You connect the dots between licensing, legal structure, and funding so you can move forward with confidence.
You’ll Learn How To
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Navigate state and local licensing processes
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Build a compliant business plan that regulators and investors can understand
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Prepare a strong license application
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Limit risk with policies, insurance, and training for your team
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Build pro formas and choose realistic funding paths
Best For
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Entrepreneurs planning to launch a licensed cannabis business
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Existing operators expanding into new locations or license types
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Consultants and advisors who support cannabis startups
If you want to stop guessing and start building a plan that regulators and investors can take seriously, this live cohort shows you each step.
Why Choose a Live Cohort at Oaksterdam?
- Live Instruction: Learn in real time from industry experts with decades of experience.
- Lifetime Lab Access: All Oaksterdam students & Alumni are invited to weekly Horticulture Labs, or Monthly Business labs.
- Flexible Format: Attend Saturday or evening classes designed to fit your schedule.
- Career Support: Connect with job opportunities, alumni, and OU’s growing employer network.
- Legacy of Trust: As America’s first cannabis college, Oaksterdam has trained over 100,000 students globally.
Ready to Grow With Us?
No matter where you are in your cannabis journey, Oaksterdam’s Live Cohort Programs offer a proven path to advancement.
Explore the right fit, ask questions, and claim your seat before the next cohort fills – email support@oaksterdamuniversity.com or schedule an appointment to speak to someone for help choosing the right cohort for you!