Certificate in Applied Economic Research on Cooperative Enterprises

Interested? Complete an Inquiry Form
Certificate Requirements Checklist Form

The certificate is credit-based, involving 15 credits of coursework and an approved 6-credit (240 hour) field-based research internship with, or related to, a cooperative enterprise.  Students gain experience in doing applied economic research in the context of collaboration with faculty, other students, and owner/managers of cooperative firms.

A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.  Learn more about co-ops at the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) website:  ica.coop

2023 Co-op Posters

Dylan Hatch
Sabrina Lacayo
Selena Lacayo

2022 Co-op Posters

Brandon Parham
Meghna Sarma 
Yoojee Kim

2020 Co-op Posters

Harshita Agarwal: View Poster
Stephanie Mullin: View Poster
Chloe Rattanavong: View Poster
Shaunak Shah: View Poster One | View Poster Two

Eligibility

The certificate is open to undergraduate students matriculated at UMass Amherst of any major.

Requirements

The 15-credit requirement for coursework can be met by a combination of 3- or 4-credit courses.  Students also need to complete an approved 6-credit field-based research internship.  Organizations that students have worked with include the following:

Neigboring Food Co-op Association
Valley Alliance of Worker Cooperatives
Collective Copies
Common Share Food Co-op
Dorchester Food Co-op
Franklin Community Co-op
Leverett Village Co-op
Pedal People

Internships are completed during the spring or summer and students meet with supervisors and faculty sponsors and other students to discuss their research.  Students present their research results at a mini-conference at the end of their semester to which members of the Local Cooperative Community and the general public are invited.

Interested? Complete an Inquiry Form | Certificate Requirements Checklist Form

For more information contact:Valerie Voorheis, Senior Lecturer II
Co-op Certificate Coordinator
Department of Economics, 219 Crotty Hall
voorheis@econs.umass.edu