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Course Description

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.

Faculty Author

Authors:

Emma Kate Mullen
Honey Bee Extension Associate, Dyce Lab of Honey Bee Studies, Cornell University

Tom Seeley
Horace White Professor in Biology, Cornell University

 

Eleanor Andrews
PhD Candidate & Honey Bee Extension Assistant, Cornell University

 

Ben & Kim Carpenter

 

Experts

 

Marla Spivak

Bryan Danforth

Dennis VanEngelsdorp

Randy Oliver

Scott McArt

Paul Cappy

 

Benefits to the Learner

Students enrolled in this course will learn

  • Explore the business considerations of turning your bees into profit opportunities

  • Identify major honey bee product and service opportunities and considerations

  • Participate in beekeeping-related organizations that fit your specific needs while enabling you to give back to the beekeeping community (and the bees!)

  • Understand laws, regulations, and registration requirements impacting beekeepers

  • Identify credible and reputable sources of information in order to stay current in bee research

  • Effectively contribute to citizen science and data collection

Target Audience

This course is perfect for beekeepers with at least three years of experience who are seeking advanced depth and breadth of knowledge to increase the success of their colonies, improve their skills in the bee yard, and gain credibility as a resource in the beekeeping community. Beekeepers who are interested in expanding their operation and extending their business opportunities will also benefit from this course.
 

A Master Beekeeper should have the ability to analyze a situation and make informed management decisions based on scientific principles, rather than needing to follow an exact recipe or procedure. We will provide you with the knowledge and tools to make evidence-based decisions in your own bee yard.

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Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in
Type
3 week
Dates
Jan 14, 2026 to Feb 03, 2026
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Regular Price $350.00
Type
3 week
Dates
Jan 14, 2026 to Feb 03, 2026
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Regular Price $350.00
Type
3 week
Dates
Feb 11, 2026 to Mar 03, 2026
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Regular Price $350.00
Type
3 week
Dates
Feb 11, 2026 to Mar 03, 2026
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Regular Price $350.00
Type
3 week
Dates
Mar 11, 2026 to Mar 31, 2026
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Regular Price $350.00
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