Course Description
In today’s society, co-operatives are becoming complex business entities with increasing demands from their members being placed on them. Members are demanding from their cooperatives that they satisfy a wide range of needs resulting in societies having an extremely diverse product spread. Thus, co-operatives are playing an ever increasingly significant role globally in “facilitating job creation, economic growth and social development.
The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Co-operative Studies aims to educate persons in the Credit Union/Co-operative sector and mould professionals to keep the unique nature of the movement alive. This degree would enable persons in the field of Credit Unions/Co-operatives to be exposed to the major areas and skills that are required to work at all levels in the organization. The Bachelor of Arts in Co-operative Studies fulfils the need for academic training to enhance the management and supervisory capability of the Co-operative movement and to make for greater efficiency in the operations of credit unions in particular and Co-operative societies in general.
Credits and Hours
This Bachelor degree in Cooperative Studies will consist of 122 credits: 56 from the programme concentration, 33 from General Education courses, 24 credit from supporting courses and 9 credits from electives.
CO-OPERATIVE STUDIES
Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA) – 122 credits
General Education Courses 33 Credits
 CAS 130         Caribbean Studies 3
CIS 100 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Introduction to Computer Information Systems 3
COM 101Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Fundamentals of Communication 3
ENG 110 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Fundamentals of Writing 3
ENM 142 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Environmental Science I 3
LOG 120 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Critical Thinking 3
MAT 100 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Mathematics 3
PSY 100 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Introduction to Psychology 3
RES 100 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Research Methods and Statistics 3
SOC 100 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Introduction to Sociology 3
SPN 100 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Introduction to Spanish 3
 Programme Concentration 56 Credits
COS 110 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Co-operative Law and Principles 3
COS 120 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Co-operative Organization and Operations 3
COS 130 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â History and Development of the Co-operative Movement 3
COS 150 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Credit Union Management Principles & Practices 3
COS 200 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Communication and Extension I 3
COS 202 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Communication and Extension II 3
COS 220 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Business Law and Credit Unions 3
COS 350 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Internship* 3
COS 380 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ethics in Decision Making in Cooperatives 3
COS 410 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Co-operative approach to Human Resource Management 3
COS 420 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Current Issues in the Co-operative Movement 3
COS 460 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Research Paper/Project 5
ECN 210 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Interpreting Economic and Financial Data 3
MGT 150Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Basic Principles of Money Management & Securities 3
MGT 200Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Principles of Business Management 3
MGT 201Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Financial Management 3
MGT 300Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Strategic Management and Leadership for Cooperatives 3
MGT 400Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Credit Risk Analysis 3
* Students who have completed COS 250 Internship in the Associate Degree will be exempted from COS 350 in the Bachelor’s Degree Programme.
 Supporting Courses 24 Credits
ACC 100 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Introduction to Accounting 3
ACC 210 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Principles of Auditing 3
BUS 300 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Principles of Entrepreneurship 3
COM 201Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Technical Report Writing and Presentation Skills 3
ECN 100 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Introduction to Economics 3
LBS 200 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Fundamental Principles of Labour Law 3
MAR 200Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Principles of Marketing 3
MAT 400Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Quantitative Methods 3
 Electives 9 Credits
 Option A
ECN 200 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The Economy of the Caribbean Region 3
LBS 120 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â History of Caribbean Labour 3
 Option B
HRM 400 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Managing Organizational Change 3
LBS 400 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Mediation/Conflict Resolution 3
 Option C
MAR 120Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Market Research 3
PBR 145 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Introduction to Events Management 3
 *ONE COURSE TO BE SELECTED FROM EACH OF THE OPTIONS LISTED ABOVE
Programme Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor’s Programme students will
- Have a thorough understanding of the nature, purpose, operations, structure and regulatory framework of co-operatives in general
- Link the rich historical background of cooperatives to modern societal needs, understand and manage the changing /evolving business and social environment of co-operatives
- Supervise and advise members and elected officers on the operations and formation of co-operative business
- Manage a co-operative as a business enterprise combining modern management techniques and the values and principles associated with cooperatives
- Manage the resources of the co-operative in a manner that reflects the people centeredness and true nature of co-operative societies
- Assist in the development of training courses for Co-operatives and their officers
Entry Requirements
- Students who have obtained five CXC/GCE passes, with passes in English and Mathematics. These students will require four years (full-time) or five years (part-time) to complete the degree
- Students with GCE A’ level and CAPE would be accepted into the four year programme and their passes at that level would be considered for exemption, where applicable
- Students who have completed the Associate Degree in Co-operative Studies with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. These students will require two years (full-time) or three years (part-time) to complete the degree as part of a two-plus-two articulation arrangement with the college’s Associate Degree programme. Students who have completed any other Associate Degree from CCLCS will also be eligible for entry and relevant exemptions granted, where applicable
- Students who have completed the Associate Degree in Co-operative Studies with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. These students will require two years (full-time) or three years (part-time) to complete the degree as part of a two-plus-two articulation arrangement with the college’s Associate Degree programme. Students who have completed any other Associate Degree from CCLCS will also be eligible for entry and relevant exemptions granted, where applicable
- Students who have acquired an Associate Degree from other recognised tertiary institutions will be interviewed by the Prior Learning Assessment Committee (PLAC) chaired by the Registrar, who will determine at what point/level of the programme they will be admitted. Exemptions, if any, will also be determined by this Committee
Tuition Fees
Full payment of fees is required when registering for classes. Cipriani College is now a participant in GATE – Government’s Assistance for Tuition Expenses. The tuition fees listed below apply only to non-nationals. Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago are eligible for free tertiary education. The Board of Governors reserves the right to change tuition and fee charges when necessary without notice. Fees and tuition are not transferable.
For a list of fees, refer to our College Fees as well as Institution Fees.
Click here for list of applicable fees.
The Board of Governors reserves the right to change tuition and fee charges when necessary without notice. Fees and tuition are not transferable.
Future Opportunities/Career Path
The knowledge and skills that are to be gained from the Bachelor of Arts Degree would not limit persons to work only within the sector, but would also enable them to branch out into any other form of business for employment. Equally as important is the need to have regulators who are specially trained at the highest level of Cooperative Management to ensure that they can adequately supervise and advise the Movement.
