About this Program
Public managers work in a variety of governmental agencies and public settings, and use their leadership and management skills to improve the effectiveness of their agencies. These passionate public servants have a significant role to play in strengthening their organization’s reputation and building trust with the public.
The Washington Certified Public Manager® program is designed for public employees who want to connect their leadership journey to their work in the public sector. In this six-course certificate program, you’ll study a set of key competencies for Washington state public employees, including leadership, work management, organizational integrity and personal development. The program also integrates key process improvement skills at the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt level.
Learn how to address the challenges and demands of public management through in-person workshops, online class lectures, group discussions and a self-leadership project. You’ll wrap up the program with a capstone project directly applicable to your organization’s unique needs.
Designed For
Public sector and government employees and managers who aspire to move into mid- or senior-level positions and want to build their professional network across the state.
See Requirements
Admission Requirements
To apply, you must:
- Currently hold a management or leadership position* with a city, county, state or tribal government; a public educational institution; a port, public utility or other special district; or another type of public agency
- Have at least three years of professional experience, including at least one year of engagement with a public organization (or a board, as a volunteer, etc.)
- Meet the following candidate qualities:
- Self-motivation and self-direction: Because the Washington CPM® is a blended program, you’ll need to be able to keep up with the independent portions of the program and complete major projects on time with little assistance.
- Passion for public service: The CPM® is a leadership and management program for those who want to grow their skills not just for their own sake, but so they can improve their organization and better serve the public.
- Commitment to growth: Change, systems thinking and a growth mindset are key to the CPM® program. You should have already demonstrated a commitment to your own growth and that of others. This can take the form of pursuing formal training, seeking out stretch assignments or opportunities and/or encouraging others to do the same.
- Reflective: True leadership requires the ability to look deeply at your own experiences, values, abilities and relationships.
*Management or leadership position can mean many things, including but not limited to:
- Manages/supervises one or more employees
- Leads cross-divisional teams or groups
- Is part of the organization's management team
- Has responsibility for developing policies affecting all or a subset of the organization (team, division, department, etc.)
- Has responsibility over budget and spending for all or a subset of the organization
Time Commitment
This is an intensive blended program. In addition to the twice-weekly online classes, you must attend five in-person sessions on the UW Tacoma campus over the course of the program. Outside of class, you should expect to spend about four to six hours a week on coursework and/or projects.
English Proficiency
If English is not your native language, you should have at least intermediate English skills to enroll. To see if you qualify, make sure you are at the B2 level on the CEFR self-assessment grid. To learn more, see English Language Proficiency Requirements – Noncredit Programs.
International Students
To enroll, international students must have a visa that permits study in the United States. This program does not enable students to obtain or maintain F-1 visa status. For more information, see Admission Requirements for International Students.
Technology Requirements
You must have access to a computer, and we recommend a high-speed internet connection.
Earning the Certificate
You earn a certificate of completion by successfully completing all required courses. For more information, see Earning the Certificate.
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What You'll Learn
- Leadership theories and models and their application in different situations
- HR considerations in the public sector and strategies for leading diverse teams
- How to complete a process improvement project using the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control) methodology
- How to develop public sector strategic plans and budgets
- Strategies for communicating and collaborating with community members, organizations and the media
Get Hands-on Experience
You’ll complete a process improvement project at your organization using the Lean Six Sigma DMAIC methodology and CPM® competencies.
Earn Nationally Recognized Qualifications
Upon completion of the program, you’ll receive the Certified Public Manager® designation from the National CPM® Consortium and the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certificate from UW Tacoma. You’ll also be eligible to join the American Academy of Certified Public Managers®. The UW is the only provider of the Certified Public Manager® program in Washington state.
Career Stats
12%
Projected growth for administrative services managers in Washington state (2020–30)
$128,510
Average salary for administrative services managers in Washington state
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