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Course Details
Course Name: Bee-ginner’s Beekeeping: The Basics of Apiculture
Course Code: AE0401WA26
Course Opens: October 1, 2025 at 8:00 am EDT
Course Closes: October 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm EDT
Optional Live Q & A Session with Instructors on Zoom: October 22, 2025 from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm EDT
Location: Online
Format: Self-paced*
*Participants can complete the course content (which will take approximately 14 hours) at their own pace anytime during the period the course is open. If you are registering while the course is already in session, please note that you will still need to complete the content within the time allotted. No time extensions will be allowed for late registrations.
Registration Fee: $315 per person
NJ or PA Beekeepers Association Members Discount Fee: $295 per person
Master Gardeners Discount Fee: $295 per person
Student Discount Fee: $175 per person
Registration Closes: October 20, 2025
Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.
Course Overview
This online class is designed to provide information that new beekeepers need to start and care for a honey bee colony. Learn everything you need to know to further your hobby or get your business off the ground!
Participants will be introduced to bee biology and management. Participants will also learn how to assemble hives, open and examine colonies, and see how honey and beeswax are harvested.
This course fulfills the legal requirements of the State of New Jersey for beekeeper education: https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/pdf/Diseasesofbees.pdf.
There will also be a live Q & A Session on Zoom with the instructors Michael & Debra Haberland on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. The Zoom link to attend the live session will be sent to registered students the day before. (Note: If you register for the course after the Q&A date, although you will miss the chance to attend live, a recording of the Q&A session will automatically be shared with you.)
Featured Topics
- Bee Biology
- Disease and Mite Prevention
- Hive Assembly and Management
- Honey Extraction
- Queen Bee Purchasing
- And Much More!
Earn a Digital Badge
Students who successfully complete this program will be issued a digital badge that details the course requirements. This badge is a great way to demonstrate the rigorous training you completed to prospective employers, schools, colleagues and peers. It can be added to your email signature, your LinkedIn profile, other social media accounts, or shared via URL. Visit our digital badge page for more information.
Who Should Attend?
Whether you are brand new to beekeeping or already have a few years as an apiarist under your belt, you will gain valuable insights from our seasoned instructor and his experience.
Our students come from all walks of life – attorneys, the armed forces, teachers, retirees, farmers, artists – but they leave with one thing in common: a newfound confidence to start their own hives and pursue their passion for beekeeping.
Meet Your Instructors
Mike Haberland, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Mike Haberland is an associate professor and County Environmental Agent with Rutgers University Cooperative Extension. He uses applied research and collaborates with organizations to develop programs that assist in the creation, promotion, and education of innovative environmental, sustainable community and natural resource management practices. Mike uses beekeeping and the creation of native pollinator habitat for research and as a way to educate the public on the importance of pollinators.
Debra Haberland, Working Girls Meadows
Debbie is a marine biologist, teacher, and owner of Working Girls Meadows. She has been involved in beekeeping for over seven years. One of her main goals is to use her education and scientific background to promote the science of beekeeping and educate on the importance of pollinators. The goal of Debbie’s apiaries is to produce queens and nucleus hives to increase the availability of locally-raised and adapted bees in order to assist the survival and health of bees in our area.
Student Reviews
“This course took a large amount of info and made it into easy to understand and reasonable modules that were easy to fly through just out of sheer enjoyment of the content.”
– Christopher Hawk
“My first Rutgers online course. The triumphs and trials of beekeeping were described in honest, authentic terms. I found all the content relevant and interesting. The technology and support [were] reliable. I felt I received me money’s worth and my time respected. Kudos. Great job!”
– Andrew Lenza
“Instructors were very knowledgeable and informative, easy to understand. I can honestly say I’m confident in starting my own colony. Thank you very much Michael and Debra Haberland!”
– Leroy Kucheruck
Continuing Education Credits
The Bee-ginner’s Beekeeping: The Basics of Apiculture course is approved for 1.4 Rutgers CEUs (14 contact hours).
Course Requirements and Policies
Technology Requirements
This course is offered online within the Canvas learning management system. After you register, you will receive an email from “Rutgers University Canvas” prompting you to click a link to finish setting up your Canvas account. If you do not see this message in your inbox, please check your junk/spam folder.
The course will take approximately 14 hours to complete, and participants will have 4 weeks to complete the coursework at their own pace.
Equipment you will need to access this training:
- Computer or tablet (phones are not recommended for optimal viewing and interaction)
Email Requirement
A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.
- If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with others.
- If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
- Your full name
- The shared email address that needs to be changed
- Your unique email address
- A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions
Cancellations and Substitutions
A $75 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.
Attention U.S. Veterans
This course is approved by the New Jersey State Approving Agency for Veterans Training for educational benefits through the GI Bill®. Learn more.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!
If you have any questions about Bee-ginner’s Beekeeping, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Program Coordinator: Pamela Springard-Mayer
848-932-7463
pspring@rutgers.edu
Administrative Assistant: Claudine Oleskin
848-932-7204
coleskin@njaes.rutgers.edu
For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.
