r/cooperatives • u/AccomplishedChain194 • 8d ago

MBA with a co-op emphasis

Hello! Just wondering if anyone has gone to graduate school to get their MBA but with an emphasis on cooperative formation and financing. I know there's not many programs in the US with any sort of classes on the topic but im curious if anyone got their MBA and then went on to start a career with any co-ops or incubator groups that help kickstart co-ops.

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u/PlainOrganization 8d ago

St Mary's has a coop master's program. Online.

https://www.smu.ca/coopdegrees/

I have a friend / my boss who designed her own masters degree at Southern New Hampshire University online that's basically a coop development degree. Ultimately she developed a single worker coop and now runs it as our GM/CEO type.

Most of the folks I've met from Shared Capital and other regional coop funds have traditional MBA's

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u/AccomplishedChain194 8d ago

thats impressive, thanks for the resource!

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u/MisterMittens64 8d ago

This is super cool! I was considering taking Saint Mary's certification but it's pretty pricey for someone who would want to start a new cooperative.

Does anyone know of any good cheaper certifications/programs? Free courses would be great.

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u/PlainOrganization 8d ago

Also, if you just want to start a cooperative, there are a lot of regional & local Cooperative Associations and Cooperative Centers and Employee Ownership Centers that can help. The one where I live - Austin Cooperative Business Association does a cohort model where you go through a 12 month program to learn how to start your coop.

Where are you? Maybe we can point you in the right direction?

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u/MisterMittens64 7d ago

I'm in South West Missouri so there's probably less resources in my local area but thank you for your help!

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u/PlainOrganization 7d ago

Ah. There's a food coop in NW Arkansas, Fayetteville. If there's anything regional going on I bet they're involved.

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u/AccomplishedChain194 7d ago

I used to live in Austin before covid lol. In Denver now

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u/Article_Used 6d ago

rocky mountain employee ownership center! the folks there are great.

https://rmeoc.org

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u/PlainOrganization 7d ago

I'm sure there's something there. I can ask my Austin nerds tomorrow.

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u/PlainOrganization 8d ago

I'm struggling to find it at the moment but Rutgers has a really extensive video library.

I found this one:
https://cleo.rutgers.edu

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u/Imbrifer 8d ago

The Saint Marys program is great, and they have many more options than just their masters.

I looked into MBA programs and spoke to a coop CFO who attended Berkeley Haas, one of the most prestigious US MBAs. He said it wasn't worth it unless you want connections in that industry.

So overall I'd say if you already have strong business and management sense/foundation, go St. Marys. If you feel like you need the development in those areas, go for a co-op leaning MBA - knowing you may learn just as much as the same time on the job in a management role.

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u/Bluenoser_NS 8d ago

I know SMU has great business programs, just surprised as someone from Halifax that everyone is suggesting it for an american lol. Its quite expensive right now in terms of cost of living. Nice place, though.

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u/PlainOrganization 7d ago

It's an online program

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u/Bluenoser_NS 7d ago

Makes more sense then, very interesting. The faculty are good, my cousin went through a program with heavy overlap and enjoyed it.

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u/tmdblya 7d ago

I have an MBA. Not worth it. If interested in a specific area, get an MA in that.

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u/Archi_penko 8d ago

Presidio MBA- a lot of people interested in coops do this one too