THE CENTRE – Frequently Asked Questions abou the Certified Public Manager Program

CERTIFIED PUBLIC MANAGER PROGRAM

What is the Certified Public Manager© Program?

The Certified Public Manager© program (CPM) is a nationally accredited management development program offered exclusively through THE CENTRE for Organization Effectiveness.

Why is this training program so important?

This program is designed to enhance the skills of high potential managers and develop California’s future leaders. Recognized by the National Certified Public Manager© Consortium, THE CENTRE is the only entity in California authorized to provide the CPM designation. Public sector agencies understand the need for increased technical and management training to meet the demands of our highly competitive society and plan for the record number of retirements anticipated over the next five years. The CPM Program prepares managers to respond to the complexities of the highly charged political environment of public service.

Who is eligible to participate?

Managers in any public sector or non-profit agency.

What is the history of the CPM designation?

The National Certified Public Manager Consortium, founded in 1979, identifies one institution in each state to designate training graduates as Certified Public Managers©. The Consortium now consists of representatives from 33 states, from Florida to Alaska, certifying exceptional training for managers of public agencies.

Who can offer the training in California?

THE CENTRE has been designated by the National CPM Consortium as the only accreditation entity in California.

What is the curriculum of the “Certified Public Managers” program?

The curriculum has been designed to meet both the requirements of the National Consortium and the specific needs of public sector agencies in California. All of THE CENTRE’s management academies are based upon 17 competency areas identified specifically for public sector managers in California. These 17 competencies closely align with the seven competencies of the National Consortium which are: Personal and Organization Integrity; Managing Work; Leading People; Developing Self; Systemic Integration; Public Service Focus; and Change Leadership.

The 300 hours of the CPM curriculum are split between two academies and a capstone project as described below:

CPM Curriculum	Number of Hours
Management Academy: Eight to ten days of challenging, thought-provoking material designed around 17 competencies which public sector organizations expect of their top managers and future leaders.	100 HOURS
CPM Candidate Academy: 6 two-day modules which provide more experiential training in the 17 competencies, including interactive activities, teambuilding, role playing, and case studies.	150 HOURS
Capstone work related project: A unique element of the CPM program is the opportunity of participants to complete a major work-related project that requires the use of the competencies gained or enhanced during the two academies. The participant will identify an agency sponsor who will work with the participant throughout the project. Frequently projects are designed to address a specific institutional concern, to respond to a change in the public entity’s environment, to streamline and improve service delivery, or to improve organizational effectiveness.	50 HOURS
TOTAL:	300 HOURS

What is the format of the training?

Candidates who have graduated from any CENTRE Management Academy are eligible to compete for a spot in the CPM Candidate Academy. These two academies are spread over an 18-24 month period and are offered in one to two-day modules.

How much does the program cost?

The tuition for the Regional Management Academy is $1950 (100 hours credited to the CPM program). The CPM Candidate Academy is $690 for each of six modules ($4,080), and each module is paid for individually. Tuition includes initial membership in the American Academy of Certified Public Managers^®, all materials, assessment instruments, continental breakfast and lunch during each Academy, and participation in a graduation ceremony with agency and legislative leaders. The tuition can be paid by the agency, the individual, or both the agency and the individual.

How will a participant’s development be assessed?

Participant development will be assessed using THE CENTRE’s copyrighted instruments and a number of validated surveys..

What if a CPM candidate is unable to attend some of the sessions?

It is expected that a CPM candidate will complete each Academy as part of a cohort group with a two-year time period. However, if an unavoidable circumstance prevents a candidate from attending part of the training, the session can be made up the following year and the candidate graduates with a later group.

What does a person need to do to apply for this training program?

Request the training through your supervisor/agency and submit the attached application. Space is limited.

What is the schedule for the training?

Regional Management Academies are scheduled for spring and fall 2008. The CPM Candidate Academy will begin in spring, 2008. Specific dates are listed on our "Current Offerings" page.

Are there any course materials participants need to purchase?

While all instructional materials will be provided, additional readings may be recommended.

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