Program Overview

Beekeeping Certificate Program

The Beekeeping Certificate Program is designed to teach students the principles of honey bee ecology and how to produce and market bee products commercially.

Course Description

This course teaches students how to produce and market bee products commercially, based on the principles of honey bee ecology. The course begins with choosing and setting up each apiary, and shows how to manage and super hives for honey production, as well as how to remove supers for honey extraction. The course also covers food product safety and personnel safety, and introduces the idea of implementing a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) program to ensure food safety.

Course Structure

The course is structured with weekly topics, discussion forums, assignments, and quizzes. There are deadlines to complete each weekly assessment, but there are no scheduled class meeting times. Students work on the course at their own pace, and instructions for logging on to the online course are sent to registrants about one week before the class begins.

Prerequisites

• Successful completion of UM's Apprentice Level Beekeeping Course (or test out of the Apprentice course)

Required Course Materials

• The Hive and the Honey Bee by Joe Graham, Editor, 2015 Revision
• Beekeeping in Western Canada by John Guszka, Editor
• Honeybee Ecology: A Study of Adaptation in Social Life by Thomas A. Seeley

Course Policies

• Enrollment & Payment: Beekeeping courses are dependent upon a minimum number of registered students to run. If the minimum enrollment is not met, the course will be cancelled and registrants fully refunded.
• Refunds: Students will receive full refunds for cancellations received up to one week before the course start date.
• ADA Accommodations: UM will provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.

Commercial Honey, Wax & Pollen Production Course

Course Details

• Dates: May 4 - June 12, 2026
• Instructors: Scott Debnam (primary) and Jerry Bromenshenk (co-instructor)
• Registration Fee: $395
• Location: Course meets fully online

Course Description

This course teaches students how to produce and market bee products commercially. The course covers topics such as choosing and setting up each apiary, managing and supering hives for honey production, and removing supers for honey extraction. The course also covers food product safety and personnel safety, and introduces the idea of implementing a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) program to ensure food safety.

Program Details

The Beekeeping Certificate Program is designed for beekeepers who wish to expand their operations to a large scale or commercial level. The program also helps small and backyard beekeepers looking to maximize honey yields. Upon successful completion of the course, 5.0 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) will be awarded and a certificate issued.