From hobby beekeeping to sideliner to commercial practices like providing honey and pollination services, the University of Montana has several online beekeeping courses to meet you where you are in your beekeeping journey.
Our award-winning online program consists of three university-level courses, culminating in a “Master Beekeeper” designation, recognized by the Montana State Beekeepers Association and the American Honey Producers Association. UM also offers several standalone beekeeping courses, as well as a new Commercial Beekeeping program, taught by industry-recognized experts with decades of experience in the field.
Dozens of Master Beekeepers earn their online certificate and beekeeping education every year through UM’s online beekeeping courses, offering invaluable skills to their community wherever they are.
Read More: UM’s Beekeeping Certificate Program
Scroll below to learn more about each course:
Online Beekeeping Courses for Master Beekeeper Certificate
Three online courses comprise UM’s Master Beekeeper Certificate. Each course is scheduled throughout the year with designated starting and ending dates, but can be completed anywhere in the world with an internet connection.
Apprentice Level Course - Beekeeping Certificate Program
Students learn the basics of keeping honeybees in this fully online course. While some entry-level experience handling bees is encouraged, the Apprentice Level lays a solid foundation for the rest of the certificate program. Topics include how to manage and produce a healthy and thriving bee colony, the history of beekeeping, and the intersection of federal and state laws.
This course has weekly topics, discussion forums, assignments, and quizzes. Students set their schedules for when they are available to complete assignments, and the course requires about 3-4 hours of study time per week. Upon completing the course, participants receive 3.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and a certificate.
Journeyman Level Course - Beekeeping Certificate Program
Nine weeks of engaging conversation comprise the Journeyman Level Course in achieving the Master Beekeeping Certificate. This course delves deeper into the life and ecology of the honey bee while observing interactions between native pollinators and honeybees. The course also discusses honey marketing and labeling, evaluating scientific literature, and bee poisoning and pollinator protection.
This course requires 5-7 hours a week for study time, and upon completion, students receive 4.5 CEUs and a certificate.
Master Level Course - Beekeeping Certificate Program
As the third and final online course required for UM’s Master Beekeeping Curriculum, the master level course offers a more detailed view of bee life. This includes bee flight, anatomy, reproduction, pheromones, genetics, and record-keeping for improved bee management. The course also discusses hive products, bee nutrition, apiary locations, and the basic steps for conducting experiments.
This course has a capstone, which involves completing a literature-based or experimental research project and delivering a final technical report. This project can be done either individually or with fellow students. Students will receive 4.5 CEUs and a certificate upon completion.
Online & In-Person Extracurricular Beekeeping Courses
These special beekeeping courses aren’t part of the Master Beekeeper Certificate, but are valuable resources for sharpening your skills or introducing yourself to the beekeeping community. Some classes are online, while others require in-person attendance.
Beginning Beekeeping Camp (New in 2025!)
The in-person Beginning Beekeeping Camp is a two-day camp where students learn about colony dynamics, queen introduction techniques, and hive management through instruction and immersive labs. An on-site Hive Puzzle Lab allows students to tackle real beekeeping situations, honing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
This in-person camp is an excellent start for anyone interested in beekeeping. Students focus on practical experience, freestyle colony manipulation, and varroa mite management. This camp is designed for new and aspiring beekeepers, helping them understand the ins and outs of beekeeping.
Summer Field Days: Small-Scale Queen Breeding
This in-person course is a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on practice in the apiary. Expert bee researchers and professional queen breeders guide students through topics, including breeder queen selection criteria, cell builder instruction, and advanced grafting techniques. Students will also learn how to monitor and treat nosema to make sure the queens are healthy.
The hands-on format of this course ensures practical experience that builds confidence in queen-rearing skills. This course teaches intermediate-level topics, and students should know how to overwinter bees before taking the course.
Responsible Natural Beekeeping
This fully online course focuses on how honeybees live in their environment, rather than honey production and the commercial use of honeybees. The course discusses how keeping honey bees for observation, enjoying the sounds of the colony, or promoting pollinator presence are all great reasons to keep bees.
Online Commercial Beekeeping Courses
Looking to turn a profit on your beekeeping? Check out these online courses that teach you the ins and outs of queen rearing, honey production and commercial pollination.
Commercial Queen Rearing & Package Production
This online six-week course teaches students how to rear honeybee queens for package production and retail sales. Topics range from queen and larval nutrition to the different types of colonies required for queen rearing. This course has weekly topics, discussion forums, assignments, and quizzes, all taught online.
Commercial Honey Production
This fully online course teaches commercial marketing and production of bee products. Students learn to manage hives for honey production, including how to maximize yields, ease production, and find profitable markets for bee products. This course also summarizes food product safety and personal safety when handling honey products.
Commercial Pollination
The online Commercial Pollination course equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge to enter the field of commercial pollination. Students learn the basics of insect pollination, which insects are most commonly used in agricultural settings, and have an overview of migratory beekeeping and pollination economies.
This course is recommended for Beekeepers who want to expand their operations to a large scale or commercial level.
Still wondering if beekeeping is right for you? Check out some student testimonials and professional endorsements to see what others have to say. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out via email (onlinelearningsupport@umontana.edu) or phone - (406) 243-6495.
Madison Knapp is a student at the University of Montana, majoring in creative writing with a minor in French. She is an out-of-state student from Bellingham, Washington, and has thoroughly enjoyed her time at UM. She is also a DHC student and a proud member of the Grizzly Marching Band.
