Frequently Asked Questions

The cost for the course is $685. Those who register by the early-bird deadline receive $50 off and will pay $635.

Group rates are available for those purchasing 5 or more seats. Contact the Rural Grocery Initiative, rgi@ksu.edu, if you are interested in a quote for a group.

The program consists of seven core modules, delivered in a self-paced, online format. The course also includes homework assessments, interactive discussion boards, and two Zoom meetings.

1. Assessment of Grocery Attitudes & Relationship Building
2. Transition Planning Fundamentals
3. Business Valuation Fundamentals
4. Communicating About Transition
5. Finding New Ownership
6. Buyer Funding and Hiring a Manager
7. Into the Future and Additional Resources

This program is designed to train and deploy resource professionals across the country to better serve rural grocers through business transitions. The course is open to all, but is geared towards Extension professionals, economic developers and other resource providers who support rural grocers and rural community vitality across the country.

The homework assessments and discussion boards will be graded on a pass/fail basis using the assessment rubric in the course outline.

This course includes two video Zoom sessions that are synchronous, meaning everyone will be attending it at the same time. You can attend the session from any location with internet access. These two sessions are interactive. During these sessions, you will learn about topics related to the course and have time for discussion with your course cohorts.

Participation in the two synchronous Zoom sessions is mandatory for this course. Please check the course dates to make the necessary arrangements to attend the required workshops. There is a third optional Zoom session held after the course is complete to celebrate the new specialists.

The Rural Grocery Specialist program is supervised by two program facilitators. The facilitators will guide you through the course, facilitate Zoom sessions, grade homework and discussion prompts and provide resources throughout the course.

This course is taught by an experienced team of content creators with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise. You can view all of the course instructors on our Meet the Teaching Team page.

Students should expect to spend approximately 20-25 hours total to complete the course over a 13-week period.

We offer this course three times a year, with courses starting in January, May and September.

See the course details page for more information.

If you must cancel your registration, please do so two weeks prior to the registration deadline to receive a refund less a $50.00 cancellation fee. To cancel your registration, please send a written request to registration@k-state.edu with the program name in the subject line. Registered participants who do not cancel their registration by the refund deadline are responsible for registration fees even if they do not participate.

Kansas State University may cancel or postpone this program because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If the program is canceled, registration fees will be refunded. Fees will not be refunded if the program is held but the registrant is unable to participate and has not requested a refund by the cancellation deadline.

The first week is designed to allow students to practice logging on to Canvas, review the syllabus, and watch the introductory videos.

Instructions for logging into Canvas will be sent to you by email the week before the first workshop.

Instructions for joining Zoom are in Module 0 in Canvas.

Students should complete Module 0 prior to attending the first workshop.

Assignment due dates will be on the syllabus and reviewed during the first workshop.

K-State Microcredentials are developed, approved and endorsed by the university and are designed to meet current and emerging market needs and align with relevant industry standards. They showcase the knowledge you've acquired on the road to mastering skills in your area of interest. Smaller than a minor, certificate or degree program, microcredentials equip learners with digital badges that showcase achievement and demonstrated skills.