Program Overview

Heartland Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program

The Heartland Certified Public Manager (CPM) program is a nationally accredited management and certification program committed to developing exceptional public managers. This 300-hour course is the only credentialing program for professionals in federal, state, or local government, nonprofits, and organizations that contract to provide public services and meet community needs.

Program Details

• The program requires 300 hours for completion, with just over half of those hours earned by attending class sessions.
• Over 11 months, beginning in either January or July, participants attend two back-to-back full class days (9:00am-4:30pm).
• The remaining curriculum hours are completed on the participant's own time as they work through the capstone project and other course assignments.
• The graduation ceremony is usually the first Friday in December for a January start, or the first Friday in June for a July start.

About the Heartland CPM Program

The Heartland Certified Public Manager (CPM) is the flagship program at the KU Public Management Center and provides professional development for public service professionals in Kansas and Missouri. The course culminates with participants completing a capstone project that delivers an innovative solution to an issue they've identified within their organization.

Heartland CPM Accreditation

The Heartland CPM has been continuously accredited by the National Certified Public Manager Consortium since 1993, and is one of the longest running programs in the country. The decades-long history demonstrates the staying power of the competency-based curriculum and the positive effect the program has on its participants and the organizations that send them.

CPM with Distinction

The CPM with Distinction was established to recognize graduates who continue their professional development and make significant contributions to the advancement of public services through:

• Teaching
• Writing articles
• Mentoring and advising on projects
• Joining professional development organizations
• Taking additional management and leadership-related training

The Heartland CPM Curriculum

The program's curriculum is based on leading research in leadership and management theory. It is designed to reflect the management skills and seven core competencies needed to successfully manage projects, people, policies, and programs in today's public sector workplace. The seven core competencies are:

• Personal & Organizational Integrity
• Managing Work
• Leading People
• Developing Self
• Systematic Integration
• Public Service Focus
• Change Leadership

Investing in CPM Heartland

CPM graduates are organizational leaders who foster effective management practices. They unleash the capacity and potential of their staff, improve the organizational culture, and inspire future leaders from within. Organizations led by CPM graduates are professional, high-performing, efficient, and aspire to improve the quality of life for the residents in the community.

Cost

The early bird rate for the Heartland Certified Public Manager program is $3,900 until Oct. 31, and increases to $4,100 on Nov. 1. The fee covers tuition, materials, and end-of-the-year graduation ceremony. Most commonly, agencies sponsor their employee's participation.

Disclaimer

If your state, municipality, or agency is funding your participation in a Public Management Center program, please make sure that your participation complies with the specific funding requirements set by your organization.

Testimonials

• We have sent 27 managers and department heads to CPM over the last nine years. The knowledge they bring back and the projects they implement through their capstones have strengthened the performance of our entire organization.
• Being in CPM has given me some amazing tools to handle my daily responsibilities so much better than I would have without them. The program has taught me to think critically, delegate when necessary and be willing to seek outside suggestions and/or help.
• This class really helped me become a better manager and leader. It helped me see that I don’t have to do it all and that teaching my staff to take on broader roles by giving them more not only makes us more productive, but I won’t be so miserable when I leave for a day or two off!
• The fact that we are able to collaborate with our peers in thinking and exploring makes this program invaluable. The network we’ve built in this past year is something we can all leverage going forward.
• This course has been nothing short of life-changing. It has really guided my thinking and changed many behaviors in myself in all aspects of my life.

Examples of CPM Capstone Projects

CPM capstone projects deliver innovative solutions to issues identified within participants' organizations, showcasing the practical application of the skills and knowledge learned during the program. These projects demonstrate the impact of the Heartland CPM program on public service professionals and their organizations.