Advanced Certificate in Workplace Democracy and Community Ownership

The Advanced (Graduate) Certificate in Workplace Democracy and Community Ownership offers students theoretical and practical skills necessary for effective democratic engagement in our economy; at work and in our communities. The program allows students to explore the details of how democratic management and cooperative ownership can function. Knowledge, skills and values for cooperation will be applied to solutions for democratic community economic development, such as worker owned co-ops, community land trusts, consumer and purchasing cooperatives, community development financial institutions (CDFI) and housing co-ops. Using New York City and its environment as a laboratory, students will have opportunities to engage with local projects and develop leadership and facilitation skills for Economic Democracy.

Graduates will be prepared to combine their principles for equity and justice with the skills required for positions in firms where cooperative ownership and control is desired. Graduates will possess leadership attributes that analyze, evaluate and apply best practices in management with historical, financial, and human approaches for worker-ownership, consumer co-ops, community land trusts and any worker self-directed enterprises.

Candidates for admission to advanced certificate programs must possess a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) or higher from an accredited undergraduate institution. Applicants are also required to write a personal statement.

APPLICATIONS ARE CURRENTLY BEING ACCEPTED FOR FALL 2021. ADMISSIONS DECISIONS ARE SENT ON A ROLLING BASIS THROUGHOUT THE SPRING. STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY BEFORE JULY 1, 2021 FOR DEGREE PROGRAMS AND JULY 15, 2021 FOR CERTIFICATES/ADVANCED CERTIFICATES.