Cornell University Master Beekeeping Program

Category: Learning Also called: Cornell Master Beekeeping; Cornell University Master Beekeeper Program; eCornell Master Beekeeping Certificate; Master Beekeeping (PTRENTC01) Last checked: 2026-09-16

What it is

The Cornell University Master Beekeeping Program is a first-party advanced university beekeeping certificate delivered through Cornell CALS / Dyce Lab for Honey Bee Studies and eCornell. The CALS courses-and-certifications page describes an advanced training program of four online classes plus final exams associated with Cornell’s Dyce Lab for Honey Bee Studies, for beekeepers with at least 3 years of experience. The eCornell Master Beekeeping Certificate page (PTRENTC01) describes online coursework that equips hobby-to-commercial beekeepers with concepts and best management practices needed to pass Cornell’s Master Beekeeping Certificate written, oral, and field examinations, with virtual and in-person exam options. Successful completers earn a Master Beekeeping Certificate from Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Entomology. It is not a county club and not a hive-equipment retail shop.

Who it’s for

Experienced beekeepers (minimum three years printed on both CALS and eCornell pages) at hobby, sideliner, or commercial scale who want a research-informed certificate with facilitator-moderated discussions, applied projects, and written/oral/field exams. Students seeking 77 Professional Development Hours (7.7 CEUs) as printed on eCornell. Beginners with 0–2 years should look at Cornell’s separate Beekeeping Essentials Certificate ($699 on the same CALS page), not this Master listing. Not a substitute for a local club meeting or for buying woodenware.

Why it’s listed

This is a first-party Learning program with printed dollar tuition, CEUs, weekly workload, 2026–2027 course start dates, exam pass thresholds, qualifying discount groups, and an Ithaca program/office address — curriculum/schedule-first, not a blog and not an affiliate landing page.

• Program overview (CALS Beekeeping Courses & Certifications — checked 2026-09-16): advanced program; four online classes and final exams at / associated with Cornell’s Dyce Lab; prerequisite at least 3 years of beekeeping experience; fulfills New Jersey beekeeper education requirements under N.J.A.C. Title 2, Chapter 24 §2:24-3.1(c) as stated on the page. CALS also prints a “15-month” framing for the Master program; eCornell’s certificate page prints a 5 months / 3–5 hours per week time-commitment line for the certificate coursework — both figures are on official Cornell pages checked today; confirm the live enrollment path for the current delivery model.
• Tuition (CALS + eCornell — checked today): Master Beekeeping $899. CALS: specific groups eligible for a discounted price of $599. eCornell certificate cost line: $899. Pay As You Go is not available for Master Beekeeping (eCornell Payment Options). Nearby Essentials certificate on the same CALS page: $699 (beginner track; separate listing domain).
• Discount groups (Registration Discounts — checked today): veterans; Cornell alumni, staff, faculty, and students; and beekeeping club members (club president holds the code). Qualifying clubs are listed on that CALS discounts page; clubs not listed may have the president contact Dyce Lab to be added.
• Workload / credential (eCornell Master Beekeeping — checked today): format blend of online and in-person options; 5 months with 3 to 5 hours of study per week; Master Beekeeping Certificate from Cornell CALS; 77 Professional Development Hours (7.7 CEUs). Four required courses in order (sample 2026 starts printed on eCornell): Honey Bee Evolution, Biology, and Behavior (e.g. Nov 4, 2026); The Science and Art of Beekeeping (e.g. Sep 30, 2026); Managing Pests and Diseases (e.g. Oct 21, 2026); The Rewards and Contributions of Beekeeping (e.g. Nov 18, 2026), plus Exam Series Overview and written/oral/field exam sections with virtual 2026 and in-person (Dyce Lab, Ithaca) windows into 2027.
• Exams (eCornell — checked today): written, oral (~15-minute presentation with slides), and field demonstration; 70% or higher required on each component. Field/written/oral available virtually or in person at Dyce Lab, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Students supply their own protective gear for field exam (thin medical gloves permitted; leather gloves not).
• Program office / eCornell contact (eCornell footer — checked today): 950 Danby Rd., Suite 150, Ithaca, NY 14850; phone 866-326-7635; outside USA +1-607-330-3200; email [email protected].

Dates, fees, seats, discount eligibility, and exam formats above are what the official pages showed on the check date. Catalog offerings change. Use the live CALS and eCornell pages before treating any figure as fixed.

Official URL

CALS courses & certifications (Master + Essentials overview): https://cals.cornell.edu/pollinator-network/beekeeping/courses-certifications

Registration discounts ($599 groups): https://cals.cornell.edu/pollinator-network/beekeeping/courses-certifications/registration-discounts

eCornell Master Beekeeping Certificate ($899 / schedule): https://ecornell.cornell.edu/certificates/beekeeping/master-beekeeping/

eCornell Beekeeping certificates hub: https://ecornell.cornell.edu/certificates/beekeeping/

eCornell Payment Options (Pay As You Go exclusion): https://ecornell.cornell.edu/about-ecornell/payment-options/

Location

Primarily online coursework via eCornell, with optional in-person written/oral/field exams at Cornell’s Dyce Lab for Honey Bee Studies, Ithaca, New York, and virtual exam alternatives as printed on eCornell. eCornell office address printed on official pages: 950 Danby Rd., Suite 150, Ithaca, NY 14850; 866-326-7635.

This is a Learning / university certificate address, not a Local club hall and not an Equipment retail counter.

Notes

• Category is Learning. Curriculum- and schedule-first university Master Beekeeping certificate (CALS / Dyce Lab / eCornell). Not Equipment and not Local clubs.
• Printed $899 tuition ($599 discount for qualifying groups), 3-year prerequisite, 70% exam pass line, 7.7 CEUs / 77 PDH, 3–5 hours/week, 2026 course starts, and Ithaca office line are transcribed from official cals.cornell.edu and ecornell.cornell.edu pages checked on 2026-09-16 and may change. CALS “15-month” vs eCornell “5 months” workload lines both appear on official pages — verify the live enrollment description.
• First-party program banner image saved beside this listing as cornell-master-beekeeping.png (from eCornell Master Beekeeping page asset).
• Not affiliated with Beekeeping Plaza.
• No Beekeeping Plaza contact, purchase, booking, or publication action was taken.

FAQ

Q: What does the Master Beekeeping certificate cost, and who gets $599?
A: Official CALS and eCornell pages (checked 2026-09-16): $899. CALS lists a $599 discounted price for specific groups — veterans; Cornell alumni/staff/faculty/students; and members of listed beekeeping clubs (see the Registration Discounts page for how to obtain codes). Confirm live pages before registering.

Q: Do I need prior experience, and are exams online?
A: Yes — minimum three years of beekeeping experience is required to enroll. eCornell: written, oral, and field exams each require 70%+; virtual and in-person (Dyce Lab, Ithaca) options are printed. Typical certificate time commitment on eCornell: about 5 months at 3–5 hours/week, earning 7.7 CEUs (77 PDH).

Q: Is this a local bee club or a supply shop?
A: No. This listing is Learning — Cornell University’s Master Beekeeping Program via CALS/eCornell. For a county/regional meeting club see Local clubs (e.g. BYBA); for hive/gear retail see Equipment (e.g. Mann Lake).