City Colleges of Chicago now offers a new degree in Applied Cannabis Studies making it the first community college in Illinois to do so. The new pathway promises to support students as they pursue an Associate degree in Cannabis Studies, a degree that often leads to high demand jobs that include cannabis consultants, dispensary operators, cannabis extraction technicians, grow masters, and more, all of which have the potential to be high-paying careers.
“Olive-Harvey College has always been a leader in the study of cannabis agriculture and operations because of the exponential job growth in the industry and due to its numerous upward mobility opportunities in the mainstream economy,” said Dr. Kimberly Hollingsworth, president of Olive-Harvey College. “We are honored to be able to offer this new degree to our students so that they are able to pursue their career goals in a sky-is-the-limit industry.”
Watch WGN TV news story: Olive Harvey College set to become 1st Illinois CC to offer an associate degree in ‘Applied Cannabis Studies’
The Associates of Applied Science (AAS) in Cannabis Studies degree offered through Olive-Harvey College will award individuals with a degree in Applied Cannabis Studies. The completion of this pathway prepares individuals to work in the various scientific aspects of the cannabis industry as well as the legal, compliance, cultivation, advocacy and business aspects of the industry. Individuals will have the opportunity to advance directly into the industry or to pursue a STEM related curriculum at a 4-year institution. Continuing beyond the basic certificate, which is also offered at Olive-Harvey and at no cost to Chicago residents through the Future Ready program, this pathway has stackable electives into the Associate of Applied Science.
“The cannabis industry needs are immediate and our new Associate degree offering in Applied Cannabis studies promises to greatly support our students in this educational and career pathway that allows students to get college credit and job readiness opportunities for a newly legalized industry. It’s a gain for the communities who have been left out of this lucrative industry. I am proud to assist in the development of this pathway and offer this win to the community,” said Dean of Urban Agriculture at Olive-Harvey College, Akilah Easter.
For more information about Urban Agriculture: Applied Cannabis Studies Pathway, visit ccc.edu or click here.
About City Colleges of Chicago
City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) aims to put every student on the path to upward mobility. CCC is the largest community colleges system in Illinois and one of the largest in the nation. With locations across the city, the seven colleges include: Richard J. Daley College, Kennedy-King College, Malcolm X College, Olive-Harvey College, Harry S Truman College, Harold Washington College and Wilbur Wright College. City Colleges also oversees: the award-winning Washburne Culinary Institute, the Sikia Banquet Facility, five Child Development Centers, and radio station WKKC FM 89.3. For more than 100 years, City Colleges has transformed the lives of more than one million students through education. To learn how to apply for financial aid click here and learn about the Panther Pride Scholarship!
