Management Core Classes
(48 Hours)
The following eight one-day courses are part of every cohort:

• Creating a Culture of Civility and Respect
• Presenting for Influence in the Public Sector
• Strategic Thinking and Planning for Public Managers
• Productivity and Quality Improvement for Public Managers
• Problem Analysis and Problem Solving for Public Managers
• Ethics, Values, and the Public Manager
• Leadership for Public Managers
• Effective Workplace Writing for Public Managers

Management Program Elective Classes (84 Hours) Students will take at least two classes in each of the five categories:

• Quantitative Methods and Tools Topics include quantitative decision making, systems thinking/techniques, technology in public administration, productivity measurement, and others.
• Public Policy Topics include communication, policy analysis and implementation, media relations, customer/client relations, developing public-private partnerships, and others.
• Organizational Management Topics include communication skills, emotional intelligence, teambuilding, change management, conflict management and others.
• Resource Management Topics include budgeting, information management, risk management, program evaluation, project management, grant writing and others.
• Personnel Management Topics include human resource management, performance evaluation, coaching, delegation, managing difficult people and others.

Written Review (12 Hours) Monthly reflective essays that provide evidence of synthesis and application after each class and receive peer as well as director feedback. For those still completing the self-directed format, a take-home “Phase II Review” take-home exam is required.

Decision Making Case Studies (6 Hours) devoted to analyzing cases which synthesize management practices and theory.

Mock Budget Exercise (12 hours) – three days devoted to applying CPM learned skills and knowledge to a real-world simulation of a municipal budget scenario through assigned “department” teams.

Class Project (18 Hours) Students apply managerial skills and knowledge to a real-world management situation through a collegial team effort, contributing to the improvement of a public or non-profit organization.

Individual Applied Project (18 Hours) A project benefitting the candidate’s organization or agency. Can be done as an individual or a team.

Leadership Seminar (12 Hours) Presentation of project or case study to other class members, and discussion of topics such as the future of public management, public management challenges, or other timely topics.

Professional Development Electives (18 Hours*) Electives may be general or profession-specific management classes. Students may choose general management classes from CPM offerings or from classes provided by other approved sources. It is strongly recommended that students arrange prior approval for a class not provided by a UW System campus or government unit. Professional Development Electives may be taken at any time during the program.

* Colleague Group cohorts may require fewer hours, depending on number of programmed classes