In July 1995, the Public Service Academy, a division of the Continuing Education Program at Texas State University, formerly Southwest Texas State University (SWT), began offering the Texas Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program for Texas' state and local government and non-profit sector employees.
SWT began offering the Texas CPM Program for Texas after being authorized in April 1995 by the National Certified Public Managers (CPM) Consortium. The national consortium authorizes only one organization per state to deliver the national CPM Program.
On May 18, 1996, the CPM Program for Texas received full accreditation from the National Consortium of Certified Public Managers.
On April 30, 1998, the SWT Public Service Academy received a $1 million endowment from former Texas Lt. Governor William P. Hobby and the name of the SWT Public Service Academy was changed to the William P. Hobby Center for Public Service.
In addition to providing support for the center's operation, the endowment also established a professorship in Hobby's name. The holder of the professorship is Dr. Howard R. Balanoff, director of the William P. Hobby Center for Public Service.
Most Frequently Asked Questions about the Texas CPM Program
What is the Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program?
The CPM program is a nationally accredited comprehensive statewide management development program specifically for managers in federal, state, and local government. The program’s primary goal is to improve the performance of public sector managers and the organizational performance of state, local and federal government. It is a comprehensive course of study by which public managers can acquire and apply the best practices and theory to their management behaviors and strategies using prescribed sets of professional standards. The curriculum uses theory as the foundation and applies it to practical problems facing the participant, their agency/department, and the citizens. Those who complete the program earn a national trademark designation of CPM (certified public manager).
What is the Texas CPM Program?
The Texas CPM Program is a 7 course sequence which leads to a nationally accredited public manager certification. The CPM Program is offered by Texas State University’s William P. Hobby Center for Public Service.
Texas State University offers the Program in cooperation with the following Texas universities: UT Austin, UT Arlington, Stephen F. Austin State University, Sam Houston State University.
Is the program nationally accredited?
The Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program is a nationally recognized professional development program for supervisors and managers in government. It is a training system that develops and measures competencies in the field of public management. The National Certified Public Manager consortium monitors and accredits the state programs. Only accredited programs are authorized to award the CPM designation. The Texas CPM Program was accredited in May 1996. It was re-accredited in May 2002. Additional information about the National CPM Consortium can be found at the following web site: www.cpmconsortium.org Information about the Texas CPM Program can be found at www.txstate.edu/cpm Currently 28 States and the federal government offer the CPM certification.
Can CPM courses in Texas be taken for academic credit?
Yes, on the Texas State University campus and in the cities of San Antonio & Austin each of the 7 CPM courses stands alone and can be taken as a 3 credit academic course. Participants can take each course for undergraduate or graduate credit.
At the above locations and all other locations, participants completing the Texas CPM Program can receive academic credit for 2 courses of graduate or undergraduate credit if they have taken or are exempt for the TSIP exam.
If I am taking CPM courses for academic credit, will the Texas State University Financial Aid Office pay for CPM courses?
CPM Courses are offered through the Texas State University Office of Continuing Education and Correspondence and Extension. At this time the University’s Financial Aid Office will not pay for CPM Courses. You will be certified as having completed the courses by the Texas State University Registrar once you have received a grade on an official university transcript.
If I am taking CPM courses for academic credit, will the VA pay for CPM courses?
Since CPM courses are only offered for 3 days per course, the VA only pays for a small portion of CPM courses. Please contact the Texas State University VA Office for more details about their policy toward paying for CPM courses.
Will the military or National Guard pay for CPM Courses?
Yes, please see your Education Services Officer for details.
What are the academic course equivalents for CPM courses?
Undergraduate
Track 1 - Posi 3318
Track 2 - Posi 3316
Track 3 - Comm 4315
Track 4 - Posi 3328
Track 5 - Posi 3377
Track 6 - HP3311
Track 7 - Posi 4380
Graduate
Track 1 - Posi 5317
Track 2 - Posi 5314
Track 3 - Comm 5315
Track 4 - Posi 5398
Track 5 - Posi 5398
Track 6 - HR 5311
Track 7 - Posi 5370
How many of these courses can count toward my undergraduate BAAS degree?
Normally 18 hours (6 CPM courses) can count toward the BAAS degree. Be sure to check with your academic advisor about how CPM courses can fit in your degree plan.
How many of these courses can count toward my graduate MSIS degree?
Normally 12 hours (4 CPM courses) can count toward the MSIS degree. Be sure to check with your academic advisor about how CPM courses can fit in your degree plan.
Where do I get more information about the Texas CPM Program?
Information about the Texas CPM Program is available on the CPM Web Site, which is www.txstate.edu/cpm
How do I register for CPM Courses?
You can mail or fax in your registration form or you can register on-line at the CPM web site which is www.txstate.edu/cpm
You can contact the Director of the Texas CPM Program, Dr. Howard Balanoff at 512/245-3453 or hb02@txstate.edu to register for CPM courses at the San Marcos, San Antonio and Abilene locations. Please check the website for contact information for the other universities that are members of the CPM Network.
When do I have to pay registration fees?
For the Texas State University campus, San Antonio and Abilene courses, CPM Registration fees can be paid on the first day of class.
How much does it cost?
The cost of the Texas CPM Program is either $495 per course or $595 per course depending on the location. There are 7 courses in the CPM Program so the cost is either $3465 or $4165 or the entire program.
How can I enroll or apply to the program?
Applications can be found on the web or in the various CPM brochures put out by the member universities. Application forms should be sent to the CPM coordinator for the specific location (see web site for Coordinators for each location).
How long is the program?
When the CPM Program is offered in a 1 day a month format it takes about 21 months to complete the Program. When it is offered in a 1 ½ day a month format it takes about 14 months to complete the CPM Program.
Who teaches the classes?
Professors, private practitioners, government trainers.
What are the individual course descriptions?
How many participants have graduated from the CPM program?
Over 500 participants in Texas have completed the CPM Program since it began in July 1995.