Certified Public Manager Program

Developing today's public leaders through CPM

To maintain Iowa's high level of commitment to professional development and public service, the State of Iowa, in partnership with Drake University, offers a nationally accredited Certified Public Manager® (CPM) program.

CPM is an intensive learning experience designed for supervisors, managers, executives, management staff, and project managers from federal, state, county, and local governments. The program includes discussion, traditional classroom experiences, and on-line learning. Participants also complete one job-related team project, which gives them the opportunity to apply theories, principles, and/or techniques learned in the CPM program to a situation, problem, concern, or opportunity in a public organization.  

• Eligibility Requirements
• Application Procedures
• CPM Application
• About CPM

CPM Blends In-person with Virtual Learning

The new cohort that began in September of 2022 met using a blend of in-person learning at the Drake University campus and on-line virtual learning from your office or home.  Sessions that work best in a face-to-face setting will meet on the Drake University campus while sessions that work well in the live online format will be held using the virtual meeting format that has become commonplace in the last few years.  The CPM format is subject to change due to current needs.  The online learning experience features real-time virtual class sessions and other online engagement.  A mix of online with on-campus sessions lowers travel costs and travel time commitments while providing the face-to-face engagement for specific courses.  See the course schedule for more information.  

Technology Requirements

CPM is a very engaging experience whether offered virtually or face-to-face on the Drake campus. Since major elements of this CPM cohort will take place online, we ask that each CPM learner have access to a computer or device with an internet connection plus a microphone and camera to allow virtual engagement with others in real-time. If that resource is not available to you, please contact kim.hanson@iowa.gov.

For More Information

• Visit Drake University website: http://www.drake.edu/cps/certifiedpublicmanagerprogram/
• Visit the National Certified Public Managers website: http://cpmconsortium.org/
• Read the CPM FAQ for answers to these common questions and more.

CPM Class Schedules:

• CPM 41 schedule
• CPM 40 schedule
• CPM 39 schedule
• CPM 38 schedule
• CPM 37 schedule *updated 9-22-2022!
• CPM 36 schedule