CPM Classroom Program

The Certified Public Manager® Program is offered in a classroom format each year. Classes are scheduled one day per week, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, over the span of 9 months.  Additional coursework will be assigned before and after class.

The CPM program explores public management from an individual perspective, from an organizational perspective, and from a systems perspective and equips participants for advancing continuous improvement and change management efforts in their organizations.  The CPM program culminates with a capstone project through which each participant will develop a recommendation for solving a problem or improving a service within their organization.

Program Commitment:

To earn the Certified Public Manager® designation, you will need to be able to commit to the following requirements:

• Attend all 25 classes over the span of 9 months,
• Complete all assignments within the specified timeframe, and
• Actively engage in the learning process.

Curriculum:

Modules in recent cohorts include (topics vary):

• Implicit Bias and Microaggressions
• Understanding and Overcoming Bias in Local Government
• Critical Thinking
• Ethics & Dissent
• Project Management
• Government Structure and Function
• Followership
• Behavioral Health and Hearing Voices
• Conflict and Negotiations
• Decision Management Theory
• Critical Conversations
• Power Dynamics
• Managing Performance
• Resilience
• Science of Influence
• Managing in a Political Environment
• Systems Thinking
• Collaborative Service Delivery
• Program Evaluation
• Tribal Relations
• Strategic Operating Plans
• Employee Motivation
• Generative AI in Public Management
• Managing Risk
• Stakeholder Management
• Managing Change
• Understanding the Budget
• Economic Development
• Public Financial Management
• Continuous Improvement Tools
• The Economy
• Leadership: Theory and Practice
• Leading Change through Charisma
• Policymaking
• Public Policy Analysis
• Corruption
• Sustainable Democracy

Upcoming Program:

August 2025 CPM Classroom Cohort

Location: To Be Determined 
August 2025 - June 2026