Skip to content
Foundations of Cooperative Enterprise Professional Certificate
W. P. Carey School of Business

Foundations of Cooperative Enterprise Professional Certificate

W. P. Carey School of Business, Tempe
HomeGovernance & BoardsW. P. Carey School of BusinessFoundations of Cooperative Enterprise Professional Certificate
AnytimeDuration
onlineFormat
EnglishLanguage
Governance & BoardsTopic

Next Available Cohort

Choose your preferred start date

Anytime - Self-Paced
online · Self-Paced
Open
$500

All-inclusive program fee

About This Program

Whether you're new to cooperatives, exploring co-ops as a career path, or already working in a cooperative business and ready to grow, this professional certificate is designed to help you build practical knowledge and confidence. Built by ASU and NCBA CLUSA, the national association for America's cooperative businesses, each course part of this certificate draws on real industry perspectives. Through Voices from the Field, you'll hear directly from cooperative leaders and innovators about how the model works in practice. Explore what makes cooperatives different member ownership, democratic governance, and the ways co-ops compete, grow, and strengthen communities. The professional certificate covers the essentials of cooperative identity, governance, economics, law, policy, and sector models, giving learners a practical foundation for understanding, supporting, and leading cooperative businesses.

Why W. P. Carey School of Business?

The W. P. Carey School of Business offers executive education rooted in a culture of innovation and practical application, particularly strong in supply chain management, business analytics, and leadership development. Its programs leverage the dynamic economic environment of the Phoenix metropolitan area, providing participants with direct exposure to a rapidly growing business hub.

Your Profile

  • Cooperative founders and entrepreneurs building or strengthening enterprises across sectors and markets.
  • Employees and emerging leaders within cooperatives seeking practical business, governance, and operational knowledge.
  • Staff of cooperative development and support organizations, including associations, NGOs, extension services, and intermediaries.
  • Newcomers to cooperatives, career-switchers considering co-ops as their next step and current cooperative employees ready to grow.
  • No prior business background needed.

Benefits

  • Analyze the core elements of cooperative identity, including ownership, governance, and organizational structure.
  • Differentiate cooperative enterprises from investor-owned firms across legal, economic, and operational dimensions.
  • Evaluate how legal, policy, and economic conditions influence cooperative formation and performance.
  • Compare cooperative models across sectors and assess their strengths, limitations, and appropriate applications.
  • Develop skills in Corporate governance.
  • Develop skills in Strategic planning.
  • Develop skills in Public policy analysis.
  • Develop skills in Economic analysis.
  • Develop skills in Organizational development.
  • Develop skills in Market research.

What You'll Learn

  • Cooperative Identity and How Cooperatives Work: Build a strong foundation in cooperative identity and understand how cooperatives operate across industries and around the world.
  • Cooperative Law and Public Policy: Examine the legal and policy environments that shape how cooperatives operate and grow.
  • The Economics of Working Together: Understand the economic conditions that drive cooperative formation and when cooperative models are appropriate.
  • Models Across Sectors: Explore how cooperative models vary across sectors, from agriculture to digital platforms.
  • Cooperative Identity and How Cooperatives Work
  • Cooperative Law and Public Policy
  • The Economics of Working Together
  • Models Across Sectors

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply

  1. 1

    Check your eligibility

    Review the entry requirements listed on this page. Most executive programs require 8–15 years of professional experience.

  2. 2

    Compare programs

    Use Gradia's comparison tool to evaluate up to 3 programs side-by-side on fees, duration, format, and accreditation.

    Compare programs →
  3. 3

    Contact the school

    Send a message directly to W. P. Carey School of Business via Gradia to request a brochure or speak with an admissions advisor.

  4. 4

    Prepare your application

    Gather your CV, reference letters, and any required test scores. Many EMBA programs waive standardised tests for senior candidates.

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Apply directly through W. P. Carey School of Business's official application portal.