The Certified Public Manager® program is a nationally-recognized leadership development program for public managers and supervisors. It is currently offered in 42 states and by the federal government. It consists of 31 days of classroom instruction, supplemented by homework assignments and open-book exams. There are 8 four-day courses, known as Levels 1-8. These Levels are typically scheduled every 2-3 months, so most CPM students complete the program in 18-24 months. These classes run from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, typically Tuesday-Friday, with normal morning and afternoon breaks plus lunch time. The homework assignments and exams supplement the course content and require the student to apply course concepts to themselves and to their agencies. Levels 1 through 4 focus on the fundamentals of leadership and management, with an emphasis on improving one's people skills, team leadership, and improving organizational effectiveness. Levels 5-8 are designed to improve a manager's understanding of complex organizations, large systems, and policy formation.
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About FCPM
Course Descriptions
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Level 1: Management of Individual Performance
This level is an introduction to contemporary management, emphasizing leadership style, personal style, and managing individuals. Topics: The Leadership Transformation, Leadership, Delegation, Motivation, Performance Feedback, Goal-Setting, Coaching and Counseling. Required Course Materials
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Level 2: Management of Group Performance
This level expands the scope to groups and teams, with an emphasis on developing productive work groups and teams. Topics: What People Bring To Groups, Working In Groups, Conflict in Groups, False Consensus, Problem-Solving and Decision-Making, Team Leadership, and Process Improvement Teams.
Required Course Materials
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Level 3: Management of Organizational Performance
The level focuses on improving productivity and quality. Topics: Productivity and Quality in Public Management, Analysis for Productivity and Quality, Organizational Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Information Technology, the Sterling Challenge, and Project Management.
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Level 4: Managing Organizational Effectiveness
Participants explore complex organizational issues such as power, ethics, organizational change, and the fit between individual values and organizational climate. Topics: Gaining and Extending Power in the Organization, Ethics and the Responsible Use of Power, Integrating the Individual and the Organization, and Organizational Change.
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Level 5: Social Change and It's Impact on Public Management
This level focuses on social change and how public managers must adapt to the challenges of the 21st Century. Topics: Social Change and its Impact on Public Management, Strategic Planning and Budgeting, Organizational Design, and Organizational Dynamics.
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Level 6: A Systems Focus
This is an introduction to the systems approach to management. Students examine two applications of systems theory- behavior modification and organizational development. Topics: The Systems Approach, A Survey of Systems Problems, Systems Applications, Systems Analysis and Modeling.
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Level 7: Policy Perspectives
This is a seminar that examines how public organizations make policy and the skills of reasoned argument and critique. Participants develop their own policy arguments and rebuttals.
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Level 8: Contemporary Issues In Public Management
This is the CPM graduation level, held in the summer. Its is run like a conference, with presenters, break-out sessions, and team-building activities. The final day includes the graduation ceremony.
