Master of Management: Co-operatives and Credit Unions

"MMCCU" redirects here. For other uses, see MMCCU (disambiguation).

The Masters of Management: Co-operatives and Credit Unions (MMCCU) is an international master's degree program offered through the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The degree attracts people from a wide array of disciplines who wish to an ability to improve their understanding of management within the context of the co-operative economic model. Similar to the more traditional MBA, students are introduced to economics, accounting, human resources, marketing , technology, best practices as well as equity management. The MMCCU also teaches the history and philosophy of the co-operative management model. The course work is delivered exclusively on-line; however, participants proceed as a cohort and meet in person three times during the process: Orientation Week in Halifax, Field Trip in the second year and Convocation upon completion.

Background

Accreditation

The Sobey School of Business, the home of the MMCCU, has AACSB Accreditation.

Method of Delivery

The MMCCU is an on-line only program using Blackboard learning software. With the exception of the orientation and field trip, the classes only meet on-line.

Admissions criteria

The admission requirements consist of the following:

• Completion of an undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience;
• Transcripts from previous educational work;
• Support (in writing) from one's employer;
• A two page essay on the student's expectations to use the education to improve their co-operative or credit union;
• An updated resume;
• Proficiency in the English language;
• A completed application and application fee.

Program content

First Year

In the first semester, students complete the following:

• Philosophical Philosophical Origins and Historical Evolution of Co-operative Governance and Business Practice offers a survey of the historical development of co-operation from the dawn of the Industrial Age and market capitalism to the present-day. Students learn about and practice creating a Social Audit.
  
• The Emerging Global Economy and Society from a Co-operative Perspective I provides an overview of globalization and its effect on the world economy. In addition, students examine examples of global co-operation.
  
  
• Comparative Co-operative Practice I: Variety and Range of Co-operative Business. This course builds off of the history of the first semester. Students learn about the different sectors of co-operation: consumer, producer, housing, financial and worker and multi-stakeholder co-operatives.
  
• Co-operative Financial Analysis and Management I provides students with a basic understanding of managerial accounting and financial accounting. Students learn the basic of an income statement, balance statement, cash flow analysis and equity statement. Student learn to conduct a financial analysis.
  

Second Year

• The Emerging Global Economy and Society from a Co-operative Perspective II.
  
• Field Research: Study Visits to Exemplars of Excellent Co-operative Business Practice. Students learn about the region of the visit and the co-operative society prior to their visit. The remainder of the course examines the lessons learned during the trip and how it might relate to their co-operatives.
  
• Comparative Co-operative Practice II: Co-operative Innovations and Best Practice considers different co-operatives on an individual level in order to understand how different co-operators solve similar problems.
  
• Technology, Communication and Co-operation examines the role of technology in society and how co-operatives might use it to succeed.
  

Field Trip

The field trip currently alternates between two locations. The first is the Mondragon Co-operative in northern Spain. Students spend 10 days studying the Mondragon Co-operative and learning about the culture of the region.

The second location involves the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Students tour and study the worker co-operatives and co-operative federations of the region.

Third Year

• Marketing the Co-operative Advantage: Co-operative Education, Member Relations and Marketing. This course examines basic marketing strategies and the co-operative identity.
  
• Co-operative Financial Analysis and Management II, focuses on the role of equity in a co-operative. Students learn about equity development and how it interacts in a co-operative.
  
• The Co-operative Management Approach I: Governance, Planning and Strategic Analysis. Students learn about these three important areas of management through a co-operative lens.
  
• The Co-operative Management Approach II: Leadership, Personnel and Management Style, examines the role of human resources in a co-operative.
  

Master's Project

The last year of the master's program has been dedicated to the project. Students are expected to develop a change in their co-operative based on the lessons learned through their program.

See Also

Other methods of training in co-operatives exist:

• CooperationWorks! trains cooperative developers in the United States.
• The University of Toronto offers an undergraduate program in co-operatives.
• The University of Wisconsin offers a survey course on Co-operatives.

General Information

Students move through the program as a cohort, so once a student starts they must commit to the entire program or drop-out.

Co-operative Management Education Co-operative

The program is a collaborative effort between Saint Mary's University and the Co-operative Management Education Co-operative (CMEC). This co-operative consists of co-operatives, individuals, as well as educational and support institutions.

Other related business degrees and certifications

Certifications

Graduate

Financial Aid Options

The Sid Pobihushchy scholarship is available. Other means of financial aid will depend upon competitive grants and scholarships such as the Lemaire Scholarship provided by the Canadian Association for Study in Co-operatives, a special loan program through the Development Institute, private grants and the specific awards available in one's home country.

External Links

Saint Mary's University
Masters of Management: Co-operatives and Credit Unions