Management Development Institute
CPM Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
State of Missouri, Division of Personnel - State Agency Specific Questions
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Does Office of Administration Statewide Policy 2 apply to the CPM designation?
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Does OA consider time spent in the program to e administrative leave or hours worked?
General Questions
What is the Certified Public Manager Program?
The CPM Program is a nationally accredited comprehensive management development program designed specifically for managers and future leaders in federal, state and local government as well as certain non-profit organizations. The program's primary goal is to improve the performance of public sector managers and the organizational performance of local, state and federal government.
The CPM program offers a comprehensive course of study by which public managers can acquire and apply best practices and theory to their management behaviors using prescribed sets of professional standards. The curriculum applies theory to practical problems facing the participant, their agency/department, and Missouri citizens.
Those who complete the program earn a national trademark designation of CPM (Certified Public Manager). Missouri participants also receive a framed CPM certificate granted from Missouri State University.
What are the program benefits?
The Certified Public Manager Program offers may benefits to both participants and their respective agencies. Such benefits include:
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strengthening leadership abilities;
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developing inter-agency contacts and communication;
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enhancing interpersonal effectiveness;
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encouraging innovation, creativity and new approaches to problem solving;
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linking customer service to public service.
Missouri State University-and some other Missouri institutions of higher education-may offer academic credit to CPM graduates seeking academic degrees.
Benefits to agencies include the Capstone Project, which is required of all CPM students. Through the Capstone Projects, CPM students-working in concert and with the explicit permission of their supervisor-consider and propose ideas that would improve agency operations.
Who can apply to CPM, and are there any prerequisites?
Missouri's CPM is targeted to emerging leaders and existing supervisors and managers of federal, state and local government. Participants may also come from non-profit organizations and highly-regulated private operations such as utilities and hospitals. Some agencies may decide to use the program for professional development of key staff that are not currently in a supervisory role. There are no supervisory prerequisites however, preference may be given to those holding a supervisory position where multiple applicants are being considered.
Is the program nationally accredited?
The CPM program is a nationally recognized professional development program for government supervisors and managers. At its heart is the development and measurement of core competencies in the field of public administration. The National Certified Public Manager Consortium monitors and accredits all CPM programs and has authorized Missouri State University's Management Development Institute to be the "sole source" provider of Missouri's CPM program. Additional information on the National Consortium is available at www.cpmconsortium.org.
What are the requirements for earning the CPM?
The Missouri CPM program consists of two phases for a total of 323 hours as indicated below:
231 Classroom hours;
42 Hours devoted to reading and other similar activities; and
50 Hours working on a special CPM related Capstone project
323 Total Program Hours
The 231 CPM classroom hours will be completed during two or three consecutive days each month. Classroom training will be conducted during the day (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) in Jefferson City. Depending on enrollment numbers and available resources, the same classes may be presented in one or more cities. During the course of the CPM program, activities may include a mix of applied learning projects, readings, examinations, workshops and courses. (Link to Schedule)
What is the history of the program?
The Missouri Certified Public Manager program was initially "under construction" in 2008 as a cooperative venture of Missouri State University's Management Development Institute and Masters in Public Administration program along with the State of Missouri, Division of Personnel. The first cohort (group of CPM participants) begins in 2009.
How much does it cost to take the CPM course?
The CPM program consists of a two-phased training curriculum. The total cost for the CPM program can vary for each participant depending on how the participant receives the classroom training required for each phase:
Phase I of the CPM curriculum consists of 56 training hours which can be obtained in four ways:
1. *Attend pre-approved training offered by the employee's own agency
2. *Attend pre-approved training offered by the State of Missouri Division of Personnel ranging from $845
to $1,120 depending upon the classes selected
3. Completed the Supervision Certificate through the Management Development Institute within the last
2 years. $1450-$2000.
4. *Attend the Management Academy offered by Missouri State University at a cost of $1,395
(includes 8 days of training)
It is recommended to complete Phase I Management Academy prior to Phase II CPM. However, participants may take Phase I concurrent with or after completing Phase II CPM. In any case, documentation of successful completion of Phase I must be received and approved prior to obtaining the CPM designation. Participants have two years to complete Phases I & II.
Phase II of the CPM curriculum can only be obtained through Missouri State University's Management Development Institute at a cost of *$3,195 (fee includes substantial resource materials).
*Cost does not include participant travel and expenses.
When is the deadline for CPM application?
Phase I - Management Academy
Applications are accepted up to 1 week (7 days) prior to the start date.
Phase II - CPM
Applications review begins December 15, 2008 for Phase II CPM and ends 3 weeks (21 days) before the class begins. MSU will continue accepting applications, as space allows, until all classes are full. Late applications will be accepted and assigned to classes depending upon available space on the roster. (Link to Application)
What happens if I miss a class?
Absences will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. While a minimum amount of flexibility is built-in to the CPM program to allow for unforeseen circumstances, participants will be expected to complete all CPM classes to ensure a complete understanding and application of information presented. If one or several classes are missed, participants may have the option of taking the class at another location (if that option is available) that same year, or taking the class when it is offered the next year. To receive their CPM designation/certificate, participants must make up missed modules within two years.
Can CPM be used for academic credit?
Each educational institution makes its own policy as to whether and/or how much academic credit will be given to CPM graduates. Missouri State University may offer academic credit at the undergraduate and graduate level for CPM participation. If you have specific questions, contact Dr. Kant Patel, MPA Director at Missouri State, 417-836-6424 for further information. At other universities we recommend you contact your advisor.
Can I get credit for previous training?
Applicants may be awarded training credit toward completion of Phase I: Management Academy. Completion of pre-approved State Division of Personnel or Agency training programs may satisfy Phase I requirements allowing applicants to apply directly for Phase II: CPM Designation coursework. MDI maintains a list of pre-approved training programs. (Link to pre-approved programs).
In addition, management/leadership professional development workshops or course work completed in the past two years may qualify for training credit toward Phase I. Applicants should list all workshops and coursework taken in the past two years on the application in order to be considered for credit. NOTE: No transfer of credit will be accepted for Phase II: CPM Designation. Phase II must be attended and completed in its' entirety in order to satisfy Phase II requirements.
The CPM classes meet two or three consecutive days each month for approximately one calendar year.
Where and how often are classes held?
The CPM classes typically meet on a consecutive Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (24 hour blocks) each month for one calendar year. Class locations are determined each year based on demand. (Link to Schedule)
Most commonly, the participant's (employee's) agency pays the CPM tuition fee. However, if when agency resources are not available; employees interested in the CPM program should discuss options for enrolling in and attending the CPM program with their supervisor and/or agency HR office.
Who participates in the CPM program?
The bulk of CPM class members will likely be employees of local, state and federal government, although it is possible to have representatives from nonprofit and other organizations. We hope that students will learn as much, if not more, from each other as they do from their instructors. Educational background may vary, but classes will endeavor to feature a wealth of experience and a multitude of agency perspectives. The investment made by sponsoring agencies-in both tuition and time-is a clear reflection of the value and promise of CPM participants.
What are the specific certification requirements?
Certification required completion of al course work, assignments, readings and projects, as well as attendance. The Missouri CPM program also requires development of a Capstone Project-a written report in which CPM theory and skills are applied to actual workplace situations-as its final examination.
How many people have graduated from Missouri's CPM program?
The first CPM classes will begin in January 2009. Hopefully, as each year progresses, state agencies will see a rich reward in the growing number of Missouri CPM graduates.
Is there a CPM alumni society?
Certified Public Manager graduates are eligible for membership in a future Missouri Society for Certified Public Managers, as well as the national organizations American Academy for Certified Public Managers (www.cpmacademy.org).
State of Missouri, Division of Personnel - State Agency Specific Questions
Does Office of Administration Statewide Policy 2 apply to the CPM designation-i.e..., since the CPM is not a condition of employment, can departments reimburse employees for this certification?
In the opinion of OA General Counsel, because Statewide Policy 2 deals with licenses, not training, the CPM accreditation does not fall under the policy criteria. Consequently, state agencies can pay for an employee to participate in the CPM program (or reimburse an employee for his/her participation in the CPM) as the agency's resources allow.
Will OA be recommending and/or providing an agreement that employees must maintain employment for a given period after completion of the program or pay back program cost?
If the agency is paying for the employee to participate in the CPM program, the agency may want to enter into some type of written agreement wit the employee about this. Working in conjunction with the OA Genera Counsel, the Division of Personnel does have a draft document agencies can use for this purpose.
Does OA consider time spent in the program to be administrative leave or hours worked?
In the opinion of the General Counsel, the safest course of action would be to consider this as hours worked.
Does OA believe that employees should be compensated for overtime (i.e., travel to and from training) and travel expenses?
The General Counsel contends that this should be examined/evaluated on a case-by-case basis depending upon the employee's over time code.
Some agencies and participants may be concerned about paying in advance for a program that lasts a year or more. How will the billing work?
The Management Development Institute (MDI), who provides all of the CPM program Phase II coursework, has pledged to be flexible with participant's billing arrangements based on agency needs. This includes monthly, quarterly and lump sum invoicing. MDI is also open to invoicing in separate fiscal years. However, no participant will receive his/her CPM designation or framed certificate until all fees are paid.
MDI is presently working on a refund policy to address what happens if a participant pays in full and then drops out of the program before he/she completes all of the coursework.
The Division of Accounting is aware of how the CPM process works and will make allowances for agencies to pay the total cost in advance (providing the proper documentation was provided). In general terms, however, the Division of Accounting would also support - and favor - quarterly payments to ensure that state monies are spend wisely and to avoid refund issues if an employee resigns or leaves state service during the year.
If there are more applicants than available slots, how will state employees be selected to participate in the program?
State employees will be selected based on pre-existing selection criteria which may include but is not limited to: agency recommendations, first-come first-served status, available funding, available seats and agency/program support. Each prospective participant will need to complete an application which will include a letter of support from an appropriate agency representative and a letter from the applicant demonstrating his/her personal commitment to complete the entire program.
An appeals process for applicants who were not accepted into the CPM program (for any of the reasons stated above) will be maintained by MDI and handled on a case-by-case basis. As the state's official representative (vendor) for the national CPM consortium, MDI reserves the right to make final decisions in the selection process.
Will CPM participants receive grades for their coursework?
The CPM designation is based on a Pass/Fail system. Therefore, no grades will be awarded to receive the CPM designation. However, if an individual desires to receive college credit from MSU for achieving the CPM designation, he/she would need to follow MSU guidelines to be awarded the college credit. While the mechanics are still being worked out, this would involve a dual enrollment process with Missouri State University's College of Humanities and Public Affairs and would likely include a separate grading procedure in addition to the pass/fail system.
Does the Missouri CPM program meet the criteria set forth in Statewide-Policy 1(Tuition Reimbursement)?
According to the General Counsel, Statewide Policy 1 is for employees seeking reimbursement for college course work that the employee has elected to take on his/her own. Consequently, the General Counsel contends that CPM coursework is exempt from this policy. The reason being is that CPM (Phase 2) training is pre-determined, and the employee has no choice in the courses he/she attends. Because the CPM does not fall under Statewide Policy 1, each agency has the flexibility to pay for their respective employee's participation in the CPM program as their resources allow.
What process will be used to demonstrate the supervisor's and agency's commitment to employees who participate in the CPM program?
Because the CPM is at least a year-long commitment, the CPM application will require the participant's immediate supervisor and a senior-level manager (generally the Division Director) to "sign off" on the participant's involvement in the program. If an agency requires an even greater level of review/approval, the agency's internal procedure or policy can establish it. Additionally, the application will also have a signature line approval section for financial accountability. These sections will not be extensive or require a lot of administrative work. The goal is to ensure all interested parties are aware of and are in support o the time and financial commitments needed for the CPM program.
Does OA have recommendations for capstone projects?
The Office of Administration will not have any specific recommendations for agency capstone projects - other than to encourage each agency to seek the opinions and ideas of their respective department, division and program directors. Missouri State University's Management Development Institute and the Division of personnel's CPM website provides an online packet of information detailing the requirements and related time lines for successfully completing a capstone project. This packet includes a list of examples of successful projects for participants and agencies to review.