Center for Professional Studies

Certified Public Manager® Program

The Iowa Certified Public Manager^® Program (CPM) is the premium nationally accredited professional certification for public sector managers and directors.

About CPM:

The CPM designation is held by over 750 leading public sector professionals in Iowa and is the professional credential of choice for public sector leaders. Drake utilizes a practice-focused approach that emphasizes practical application of theory to improve effectiveness while meeting the challenges of today's public organizations.

CPM is pursued as a unified learning group (cohort) of 25 professionals who meet 2-3 days each month over 18 months. In 2021/2 class will meet one month on the Drake University Campus with the following month meeting virtually. A new "cohort" of learners is launched twice each calendar year. See the "Schedules" heading below for details.

We are certain you will find the Iowa Certified Public Manager^®Program to be a positive and rewarding experience that will enhance your professionalism and strengthen your organization. CPM is offered by Drake University in partnership with the State of Iowa. Contact Lance Noe at (515) 271-2008 for more information.

CPM Blends In-person with Virtual Learning

The new cohort that begins in September of 2021 will meet 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 2020. In response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, CPM may need to begin in a 100% online format. As September approaches updates will occur. 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.

What do I need from a technology perspective? 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 Lance.Noe@drake.edu.

New Cohort Begins in September!

Applications are being taken now for the next CPM cohort that begins on September 7, 2021. Graduation will occur on December 14, 2022.

Leads to a Drake graduate degree:

Graduates of the CPM program who are otherwise well qualified for graduate school may reduce the required number of credit hours needed to earn the Master of Public Administration degree at Drake by up to nine credit hours. For more information contact our graduate office.

Admission and Cost:

Admission to CPM is based on professional experience criteria that includes: 1) managing two or more people, or 2) involvement in a professional project, or 3) pursuing a graduate degree. Applications are coordinated by our State of Iowa partners. You may apply anytime for admission to the next available cohort.

The cost of the 300 hour CPM program is $3,500.00. Most CPM learners are sponsored through their employer, however some choose to pursue the program as a private professional. The fee is paid through the State of Iowa. For more information about cost and applying contact (515) 281-5456 or see the State of Iowa CPM webpage.