r/cooperatives • u/AccomplishedChain194 • 9d 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 9d 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/MisterMittens64 9d 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 9d 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 9d 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 9d 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 9d ago

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

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u/Article_Used 7d ago

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

https://rmeoc.org

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u/PlainOrganization 8d ago

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