North Dakota State University and the NDSU Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives are collaborating to provide an online course on cooperative businesses.

The 16-week course will help participants better fulfill their roles as members or directors of cooperatives, improve the management skills of those working in a cooperative and inform professionals and policymakers who interact with cooperatives.

Course topics include the origins of cooperative businesses, cooperative business management and governance, and cooperative business finance.

“North Dakota has approximately 400 cooperatives in operation,” says Gregory McKee who will be teaching the course. McKee also is the NDSU Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives director and an assistant professor. “As global markets grow and technology changes the way business is done, thoughtful leadership from cooperative business directors and managers is more important than ever for growing and maintaining the benefits cooperative members receive.”

The online class begins Aug. 23. Those wishing to enroll in the class need not be pursuing a degree to take the class but must enroll as a student at NDSU. To enroll as a special-status student, go to http://www.ndsu.edu/dce/degreeeligibleactivity/specialStudentApp.pdf. After filling out the form, send it to the NDSU Office of Admissions, Dept. 5230, P.O. Box 6050, Ceres Hall 124, Fargo, ND 58108-6050.

NDSU Agriculture Communication