Florida Gulf Coast University Cannabis Studies Focus Overview
With the legal marijuana industry continuing to grow, more and more colleges and trade schools are offering marijuana-related classes, programs and degrees. This is even true in some of the more conservative parts of the country such as Florida and the Florida Gulf Coast University.
In this article we will take an overview of the university’s Cannabis Studies Focus:
Summary of Program
According to the official website for Florida Gulf Coast University, students interested in Cannabis Studies “may major in Integrated Studies and select from courses in a variety of disciplines that create an integrated and multidisciplinary exploration of the impact that cannabis has on the mind, body, and society.”
These courses will prepare students “to enter the multifaceted cannabis industry via a broad range of academic disciplines.” The Integrated Studies degree requires 30 credits, including 12 credits in the Integrated Studies core, plus 18 credits from at least 3 different disciplines. The university states that “Students who wish to focus their coursework on cannabis studies are encouraged to choose these 18 credits from cannabis-related elective credits.”
This program “offers students the ability to focus their studies on cannabis related topics, but is not an official concentration or minor.”
Potential Career Options
Some potential marijuana-related career options you can expect to be relevant to this course include:
Dispensary worker or manager
Potential Salary: $45,000 – $80,000
Marijuana lobbyist
Potential Salary: $65,000 – $80,000
Marijuana Grower
Potential Salary: $50,000 – $90,000
Ranking of University
According to USNews.com, Florida Gulf Coast University is ranked:
- #69 in Regitional Universities South
- #31 in Best Undergraduate Teaching
- #12 in Most Innovative Schools
Course Overview
Below is the full official course overview:
Students interested in Cannabis Studies at FGCU may major in Integrated Studies and select from courses in a variety of disciplines that create an integrated and multidisciplinary exploration of the impact that cannabis has on the mind, body, and society. These courses will prepare students to enter the multifaceted cannabis industry via a broad range of academic disciplines. The Integrated Studies degree requires 30 credits, including 12 credits in the Integrated Studies core, plus 18 credits from at least 3 different disciplines. Students who wish to focus their coursework on cannabis studies are encouraged to choose these 18 credits from cannabis-related elective credits.
This program offers students the ability to focus their studies on cannabis related topics, but is not an official concentration or minor.
Required core courses for the Integrated Studies BA: 12 credits
- IDS 3300: Foundations of Civic Engagement. Students understand, evaluate, and analyze foundational elements of engagement with the community.
- IDS 3920: University Colloquium. An interdisciplinary course that explores sustainability and the environment.
- IDS 4910: Senior Capstone. Students will devise a senior project in their field.
- IDS 3XXX: At least one interdisciplinary upper level class. IDS 3143 below could count for this requirement. If used as part of the core, students need to choose an additional course to complete the Integrated Studies major requirements.
Cannabis-related courses:
18 credits (6 courses), with at least 3 different disciplines represented
- IDS 3138: Cannabis and its impact – 3 credits
- IDS 3306: ST: Drugs: Mind, Body, and Society – 3 credits
- CCJ 4933: Marijuana Law – 3 credits
- IDS 3304: E&E: The Horticulture and Botany of Cannabis – 3 credits
- AEB 3933: Cannabusiness – 3 credits
- PCB 3733: The Pharmacology and Physiology of Cannabis – 3 credits
- IDS 3344: Weed Culture – 3 credits
- IDS 3143: ST: The Chemistry of Medicinal Plants – 3 credits
- IDS 4940: Internship – 1-6 credits (variable)