Heartland Certified Public Manager ® (CPM)
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The Certified Public Manager Program is a nationally accredited management and certification program committed to developing exceptional public managers. The Heartland Certified Public Manager® (CPM) program is the flagship program at the KUPMC and provides professional development for public service professionals in Kansas and Missouri.
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.
The course culminates with participants completing a capstone project that delivers an innovative solution to an issue they've identified within their organization.
About the Heartland CPM Program (R)
The Heartland CPM program has been continuously accredited by the National Certified Public Manager Consortium since 1993, 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.
Over 2,000 public managers have graduated from the Heartland CPM program and have joined the international network of over 40,000 credentialed public managers worldwide.
Time Commitment
The program runs on a calendar year schedule. Sessions begin in January and classes meet with their cohorts two consecutive days/month through November. The graduation ceremony is usually the first Friday in December in the State Capitol Building in Topeka.
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.
Details
The early bird rate for the Heartland Certified Public Manager® program is $3,900 until October 31, and increases to $4,100 on November 1.
The fee covers tuition, materials, and end-of-the-year graduation ceremony. Most commonly, agencies sponsor their employee's participation.
In 2023, the Certified Public Manager® program is being offered in three locations:
- KC Metro, KU Edwards Campus
- Newton, the Meridian Center
- Online Cohort
You will enroll in a "home" location that you attend most of the time. However, we recognize that work responsibilities and vacation schedules may make attendance at the home location impossible for some meeting days. You are welcome to attend at one of the other locations when necessary to make up a class.
Important 2023 Dates
- January 10 | Kansas City Cohort Begins
- January 17 | Newton Cohort Begins
- January 24 | Online Cohort Begins
"We have sent 27 managers and department heads to CPM over the last 9 years. The knowledge they bring back and the projects they implement through their capstones have strengthened the performance of our entire organization."
- Toby Dougherty, ICMA-CM, City Manager, City of Hays, KS
"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. Overall, I think I have the potential to be a great leader with the tools, resources and education provided by the CPM courses."
- Tiffani Officer, Deputy Chief of Appeals, Kansas Department of Labor
"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! I am beyond thankful for this class. The learnings and the connections made are priceless for my professional and personal life."
- Christina Hayes, Convention and Visitors Bureau Director and Community Coordinator, Great Bend, KS
"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."
--Grace Hanne, Innovation Team Principal Analyst, Johnson County Government
"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. I will never forget what I have learned here to make me a better person, not just a better public servant."
--Mason Ruder, Mayor, Hays, KS and Advancement Director, Hays Catholic Schools
Questions? - Heartland CPM
Kelly McCoy, Director, CPM Program
kellymccoy@ku.edu
Issues Submitting Application
Jessica Franz, Project Coordinator
jessica.franz@ku.edu
785-864-6864