Overview
Cooperatives are a distinct business model defined by shared ownership and democratic governance.
This microcredential course, co-developed with NCBA CLUSA, introduces the core elements of cooperative identity and explains how cooperatives operate, scale, and differ from investor-owned firms in both U.S. and global contexts.
Key Benefits
- Understand cooperative structure, ownership, and governance fundamentals
- Differentiate cooperatives from investor-owned business models
- Learn how democratic governance functions in practice
- Explore cooperative models across industries and global markets
- Build a foundation for advanced cooperative study
What’s Included
- Structured modules covering cooperative identity, governance, and organizational models
- Real-world examples of cooperatives across U.S. and international sectors
- Comparative insights between cooperative and investor-owned firms
- Practical frameworks for understanding federated and centralized systems
Course Modules
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Certificate program
This course is a part of the following certificate program:
Who this course is designed for
- Individuals seeking a foundational understanding of cooperatives
- Professionals working in or with cooperative organizations
- Learners interested in alternative business structures
- Those exploring cooperative models in U.S. and global contexts
Outcomes
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Describe the foundational elements of cooperative identity
- Explain how cooperatives differ from investor-owned firms
- Identify key features of member ownership and governance
- Recognize different cooperative organizational models
- Summarize the role of cooperatives across sectors and regions
Program support
Have additional questions?
Please reach out directly to wpcareyexeced@asu.edu for your course content related questions.
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