Certificate in Interdisciplinary Psychedelic Studies (CIPS) addresses critical gap in psychedelic education for students, professionals, and curious learners
COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education (CPDRE) at The Ohio State University has launched the Certificate in Interdisciplinary Psychedelic Studies (CIPS), the first accessible, university-level psychedelic education program designed specifically for non-clinical audiences. The program went live June 15, 2025, with early enrollment demonstrating strong demand from diverse learners.
Unlike existing psychedelic education programs that primarily target licensed clinicians, CIPS is designed to serve undergraduate and graduate students in adjacent fields, as well as healthcare professionals, legal practitioners, and others seeking evidence-based knowledge about psychedelics. The self-paced online certificate addresses a critical educational gap in the rapidly evolving psychedelic field.
"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," said Dr. Alan K. Davis, Associate Professor and Director of CPDRE. "CIPS 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. Our program offers a highly accessible entry point that combines university-level rigor with the flexibility busy people need to learn about this fascinating and important field."
CIPS comprises five comprehensive courses: Biology of Psychedelics explores neurobiological mechanisms and the ecological relationships of psychedelic-producing organisms; History of Psychedelics traces cultural origins and the evolving relationship between psychedelics, science, and medicine; Ethics of Psychedelics examines bioethics, informed consent, and patient safety challenges; Psychedelics in Diverse Populations investigates practices across BIPOC and queer communities and barriers to research diversity; and Therapeutic Applications covers historical development, current protocols, and healthcare integration challenges.
The approximately 20-hour certificate requires completion of all five units and passing associated quizzes with 80% or higher. The program costs $250 with a 20% early-bird discount currently available.
The online program's self-paced format makes university-level psychedelic education accessible to students and professionals nationwide who can't commit to multi-week in-person intensive programs. Most comparable programs require intensive in-person commitments or clinical credentials, leaving a significant educational gap that CIPS addresses.
"We're seeing strong interest from students at universities across the country, as well as professionals in healthcare, legal, and business fields who recognize that psychedelic literacy is becoming increasingly important in their work," Davis noted. "The flexibility of our online format removes geographic and scheduling barriers that have prevented many people from accessing quality education about psychedelics."
Early enrollment shows participation from undergraduate and graduate students, pre-health and pre-med students, healthcare adjacent professionals including nurses and social workers, legal professionals working in drug policy, and family members of people using psychedelics therapeutically.
More information about the Certificate in Interdisciplinary Psychedelic Studies is available here. The program requires a reliable internet connection and is optimized for Google Chrome or Firefox browsers. Students have flexible timeframes to complete coursework within the self-paced format. CIPS registration fees support CPDRE's ongoing research and education programs. For enrollment questions, contact [email protected].
About the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education
The Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education (CPDRE) at The Ohio State University is a university-wide consortium of faculty, researchers, clinicians, and trainees dedicated to innovative scholarship across the psychedelic field. CPDRE is a transformative hub for catalyzing transdisciplinary scholarship across medicine, natural sciences, arts, and humanities. The mission of CPDRE is to cultivate a thriving and adaptive psychedelic ecosystem through innovative transdisciplinary research, comprehensive education, and dedicated service for the betterment of all.
The Ohio State University is one of the largest universities in the United States, with nearly 65,000 students across its Columbus campus and regional locations. Ohio State is a leading public research university known for its comprehensive academic programs and commitment to innovation in education and research.
Media Contact
Brad Burge, Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education at The Ohio State University, 1 6508636887, [email protected], https://www.cpdre.org
SOURCE Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education at The Ohio State University
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