The Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education at Ohio State University has launched the first university-level psychedelic education program designed specifically for non-clinical audiences, university officials recently announced.

Early enrollment for the online Certificate in Interdisciplinary Psychedelic Studies, which started June 15, has demonstrated strong demand from a diverse pool of learners, according to the officials.

“We’re seeing strong interest from students at universities across the country, as well as professionals in health care, legal and business fields who recognize that psychedelic literacy is becoming increasingly important in their work,” said Dr. Alan Davis, associate professor and director of the university center.

Early enrollment illustrated participation from undergraduate and graduate students, pre-health and pre-med students, health care-adjacent professionals including nurses and social workers, legal professionals working in drug policy and family members of people using psychedelics therapeutically, a news release detailed.

“Most psychedelic education programs are designed for people who already have clinical licenses, but there’s a huge population of students, professionals and curious learners who need foundational knowledge about these substances,” Davis added. “(The certificate program) provides that essential foundation, whether you’re a pre-med student exploring career paths, a nurse wanting to understand emerging treatments or simply someone curious about the science behind psychedelics.”

He noted that the program offers an accessible entry point, combining university-level rigor with flexibility for busy individuals and nonstudents interested in the emerging field of study.

The program comprises five comprehensive courses:

• Biology of Psychedelics, which explores neurobiological mechanisms and the ecological relationships of psychedelic-producing organisms;
• History of Psychedelics, which traces cultural origins and the evolving relationship between psychedelics, science and medicine;
• Ethics of Psychedelics, which examines bioethics, informed consent and patient safety challenges;
• Psychedelics in Diverse Populations, which investigates practices among disparate communities and barriers to research diversity; and
• Therapeutic Applications, which covers historical development, current protocols and health-care integration challenges.

According to the release, the self-paced format of the program makes university-level psychedelic education accessible nationwide for individuals unable to commit to multiweek, in-person intensive programs. Most comparable programs require intensive in-person commitments or clinical credentials, leaving a significant educational gap.

“The flexibility of our online format removes geographic and scheduling barriers that have prevented many people from accessing quality education about psychedelics,” Davis said.

The nearly 20-hour certificate, which costs $250, requires completion of all five units and passing associated quizzes with 80 percent or higher.

Program registration fees support the center’s ongoing research and education programs. For enrollment questions, contact CSW-CPDREtraining@osu.edu.

Founded in 2022, the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education is dedicated to innovative scholarship across the psychedelic field through transdisciplinary scholarship across medicine, natural sciences, arts and humanities.

The center’s mission is to cultivate a thriving and adaptive psychedelic ecosystem through research, comprehensive education and dedicated service.