Welcome!
The KU Public Management Center offers educational programs to meet the leadership training needs for public service professionals. We serve managers and staff who work in:
- Government agencies (local, state, and federal),
- Nonprofits,
- Hospitals, health departments, and clinics,
- Higher education and public schools,
- Organizations that contract to provide public services and meet community needs (e.g. utility companies).
Our programs prepare leaders, develop professionalism in the public workforce, and link KU resources to the challenges of public management. We provide training throughout the state of Kansas and are the professional development arm of KU's School of Public Affairs and Administration. Translating theory into practice, we are deeply dedicated to the proposition that public service lies at the heart of a healthy democracy.
Our Programs
Our instructors have management experience in public and nonprofit organizations. They understand how work gets accomplished in these settings, and they bring this knowledge into the classroom.
We have graduated close to 1,500 Certified Public Managers from all across the state. CPM students are sent by their sponsoring agencies and spend two days per month for a calendar year with a curriculum based in managing work, leading people and developing self. Participants' capstone projects offer a valuable tool to their agencies, often resulting in process improvements and cost savings.
Our Emerging Leaders Academy provides a unique development opportunity for promising non-managerial staff. ELA offers participants an opportunity to learn from established public servants while developing a portfolio to help them identify and reach their professional goals.
Law Enforcement Leadership Academy
Our Law Enforcement Leadership Academy provides Kansas law enforcement agencies – at every level, location, and size – with top-flight leadership training, networking opportunities, and ongoing professional education. We are proud to call KLETC a partner in this program.
Supervisory Leadership Training
Our three-day Supervisory Leadership Training is designed to enhance skills and provide new strategies to manage staff effectively whether you're new to a supervisory role or have held those responsibilities for years.
We offer a host of custom courses tailored to agency needs or provided in an open enrollment format. These include Supervisory Leadership Training, Customer Service, Ethics, Difficult Conversations, Harassment in the Workplace, and many others.
Master in Public Administration
The PMC was established in 1974 to bring KU's Master in Public Administration to Topeka. Over 400 scholars have earned their MPA degree with us and many now hold key leadership roles for the State of Kansas, local governments, and nonprofit organizations. Our highly motivated students bring an array of professional and personal experiences that enrich our classes.
Inclement Weather
If you are taking a course with us and the weather looks threatening, you can always check to see if the course is still going on.
