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Overview and Courses
These courses equip beekeepers from the hobby level to the commercial level with the concepts, knowledge, and best management practices needed to pass Cornell University’s Master Beekeeping Certificate written, oral, and field examinations.
By the end of these beekeeping courses, you will have the skills and knowledge needed to keep colonies healthy and productive year after year. You’ll be able to expand the amount, quality, and type of bee products and services you produce, and you’ll have the understanding to determine whether to take advantage of the business opportunities that beekeeping can provide. You’ll gain a deep understanding of honey bees as living organisms and be able to navigate controversial topics so you can communicate with credibility in the beekeeping community. Lastly, you’ll be able to act as a resource to educate new beekeepers and participate in bee research and outreach.
In order to receive the final certificate, students must contribute meaningfully to a set number of discussions, moderated by Cornell University Master Beekeeping facilitators, and pass the written, oral, and field exams. The exams include a written exam, the delivery of a presentation, and a field exam where individuals will demonstrate key beekeeping skills. A Cornell University Master Beekeeping Certificate from Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Entomology, will be awarded to individuals who successfully complete the required coursework and receive a passing grade on all three exams.
For the best experience in this program, it is recommended to take these courses in the order that they appear.
Please note there is a prerequisite of three years’ minimum experience in order to enroll in the program.
Course list
Effective hive management requires an understanding of the behavior, physiology, and evolution of these amazing and complex creatures. Explore this critical knowledge with world-renowned honey bee experts as well as Cornell University researchers and extension associates. This course serves as a foundation to help you understand the characteristics of a colony and how these traits and behaviors support colony survival and success. This information can be applied as you develop your hands-on beekeeping skills and will translate directly into your hive management practices. In addition, it will enable you to better understand the current scientific research and communicate with credibility within the beekeeping community.
This is the first in a series of courses that equip beekeepers at the hobby, sideliner, and commercial levels with the concepts, knowledge, and best management practices needed to pass the written, oral, and field components of Cornell University's Master Beekeeping Certificate.
Supporting your colonies' ability to thrive and achieving your desired outcomes requires a systematic approach and the application of practical techniques and knowledge. In this course, you will discover how to predict what to expect in your colony season by season. You'll gain confidence in your ability to analyze different situations and make informed management decisions based on the scientific principles you study here. Apply the hands-on techniques used by experienced expert beekeepers, honey bee biologists, and the Cornell University Honey Bee Extension team to keep your colonies healthy and to produce your desired outcomes year after year.
This course equips beekeepers at the hobby, sideliner, and commercial levels with the concepts, knowledge, and best management practices needed to pass the written, oral, and field components of Cornell University's Master Beekeeping Certificate.Managing pests and diseases is the number one reason beekeepers reach out to the Cornell University Honeybee Research and Extension Program for support. In this course, you will gain knowledge about honey bee immunity as well as how to apply Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles to prevent and control all known pests, parasites, and pathogens that interfere with honeybee health and productivity. As a result, you'll feel confident in your ability to monitor, diagnose, and control specific problems in your colonies as you identify how to be proactive and take charge of the health of your bee operation.
This course equips beekeepers at the hobby, sideliner, and commercial levels with the concepts, knowledge, and best management practices needed to pass the written, oral, and field components of Cornell University's Master Beekeeping Certificate.Beekeepers are in a unique position to both reap financial benefit from their hives and contribute to the health of pollinator populations and the greater beekeeping community. In this course, you will examine major hive products and services, how to grow your operation, and what options to consider for beekeeping as a business. Even if you are not interested in making a profit from your bees, you will gain a valuable appreciation for the beekeeping industry, and understand how hard bees and beekeepers work.
You will also determine how to evaluate the quality of information sources about bees and beekeeping, allowing you to contribute to education, research, and outreach, as well as participate in research activities, mentor less-experienced beekeepers, and raise awareness on pollinator issues. This course will prepare you to be a leader in your beekeeping community.
This course equips beekeepers at the hobby, sideliner, and commercial levels with the concepts, knowledge, and best management practices needed to pass the written, oral, and field components of Cornell University's Master Beekeeping Certificate.Request more Info by completing the form below.
How It Works
Key Course Takeaways
- Apply knowledge of honey bee evolution and behavior to better identify and respond to the needs of your honey bees
- Use systematic hands-on techniques to support your colonies’ ability to thrive, keeping your colonies healthy year after year and achieving your specific objectives
- Prevent and control pests and diseases that interfere with honey bee health and productivity
- Explore the possibilities and considerations of how you can both profit from and contribute to the success of these amazing pollinators
Download a Brochure
Not ready to enroll but want to learn more? Download the certificate brochure to review program details.
What You'll Earn
- Master Beekeeping Certificate from Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Who Should Enroll
- Beekeepers with at least three years of experience
- Beekeepers seeking advanced depth and breadth of knowledge to increase the success of their operation, extend their business opportunities, and gain credibility as a resource in the beekeeping community
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$899
Master Beekeeping
| Select Payment Method | Cost |
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| $899 |