Co-operative and Social Enterprise

Advertisement

If you are interested in pursuing or developing a professional or voluntary career in the co-operative or social enterprise field, the MBS in Co-operative and Social Enterprise is designed with you in mind. It is a part-time course taken over one or two calendar years.

The main aims are:

* to equip you for management careers and/or voluntary service at senior level in a wide range of co-operative and social enterprises
* to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to participate meaningfully and effectively at leadership level in the decision-making, management and entrepreneurial processes of co-operative and social enterprises
* to develop your capacity to respond creatively to the needs and problems of the wider community and society, if you are either a voluntary or a salaried practitioner in a co-operative and social enterprise
* to provide you with access to postgraduate and personal development opportunities whilst allowing you to combine family responsibilities and employment.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion, it is expected that you will be able to:

* think critically about social and economic problems and have the confidence to propose organisational solutions
* articulate the role of co-operatives and social enterprises in the creation of an alternative economic system to a wide range of audiences, including the public, private and third sectors, as well as to society in general
* participate meaningfully and effectively at leadership level in the decision-making, management and entrepreneurial processes of co-operatives and social enterprises
* apply the specific marketing, governance and management skills necessary in co-operatives and social enterprises
* appraise critically the multiplicity of activities, strategies, skills and approaches in the co-operative and social enterprise field
* choose optimal courses of action for specific situations in co-operative and social enterprises
* discuss and debate professional opinion on the functioning and roles of co-operatives and social enterprises
* research and report analytically on different types of cooperative and social enterprise.

Skills and Careers Information

This course is designed for you if you are interested in pursuing or developing a professional or voluntary career in the co-operative or social enterprise field. It will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to participate meaningfully and effectively at leadership level in the decision-making, management and entrepreneurial processes of co-operative and social enterprises. Whether you are a voluntary or a salaried practitioner, this course will develop your capacity to respond creatively to the needs and problems of the wider community and society.

The course is divided into two distinct parts. Part one covers five core modules in the following areas:

* * Reinterpreting Co-operative and Social Enterprise
* Entrepreneurial Skills and Development;
* Social and Cooperative Entrepreneurship;
* Co-operative and Social Enterprise;
* Government Education and Marketing for Cooperatives and Social Enterprises



In part two students choose three of the following five modules

* * Innovation and Enterprise in Financial Co-operatives and Mutuals
* Community Co-operatives and Social Enterprises
* Worker Co-operative Strategies
* Co-operative Food Processing and Supply
* Social Enterprises and the Developing World.



and submit a 15,000-30,000 word minor thesis.

Audience

* Dr Olive McCarthy (Course Director)
* Noreen Byrne
* Bridget Carroll
* Dr Olive McCarthy
* Dr Mary OShaughnessy
* Dr Carol Power
* Professor Michael Ward

Candidates should have the following: * * Two years experience in a voluntary or professional capacity in a co-operative or social enterprise. * At least a second class honours Grade II primary degree or an equivalent academic qualification.OR Scholarly experience in the co-operative and social enterprise field, as approved by the Faculty of Commerce and present for interview if required. an equivalent academic qualification. * Ability to access and use the internet. and * Be at least 23 years on the 1st of January of the year of enrolmentProspective students who do not meet the entry requirements, may qualify for the MBS in Co-operative and Social Enterprise Qualifying Examination. Details of the Qualifying Examination are available on the website of the Department of Food Business and Development Part-Time Taught Postgraduate ProgrammesPlease note that non-EU applicants are not eligible to study part-time programmes English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5

* Postgraduate Bursaries for taught full-time postgraduate programmes confirmed for 2014/2015.
* Graduate Skills Conversion Programme (GSCP) Funding - Graduate Skills funding for 2013/2014 to be confirmed by the Higher Education Authority
* College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences Graduate Studies Funding Information, 2014-2015.
* Student Assistance Fund

Accreditation

Originally founded in 1845 as "Queen's College Cork", UCC is one of Ireland's oldest institutions of higher education. Over 150 years later, our University is internationally acclaimed as one of the top 2% of research institutions in the world.

Our mission - to advance excellence in teaching, research and the quality of the student experience - makes UCC a contemporary University with a global outlook. This website contains information on all aspects of the University - I hope you find it useful and informative.