Frequently Asked Questions

The CPM program is a nationally accredited comprehensive public and not-for profit management development program designed for supervisors and managers in federal, state, and local government and in the not for profit sector. The program’s primary goal is to improve the performance of public and not for profit sector managers.

CPM 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®). 

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: Texas Tech, The University of Texas Rio-Grande Valley, The University of Houston, Stephen F. Austin State University and Texas A&M International University.

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, 2006, 2011 and 2015. Additional information about the National CPM Consortium can be found at the following web site:   www.txstate.edu/cpmconsortium. Information about the Texas CPM Program can be found at www.txstate.edu/cpm. Currently 40 States, the District of Columbia, The Washington DC Metro Council of Governments and Leiden University in the Netherlands offer the CPM certification.

Yes, on the Texas State University campus in San Marcos and on the Texas State University campus in Round Rock. 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. For additional information go to the Texas CPM website http://www.txstate.edu/cpm and open the maroon banner under "What's New" which says "Open this Link if Applying for CPM Courses for Academic Credit in the Spring 2020 Semester".

CPM Courses are offered through the Texas State University Office Distance and Extended Education. These courses are eligible for financial aid if the student is accepted into a regular degree program and the courses are included on the students’ degree outline. For additional information the student should contact the Texas State University Financial Aid Office, The Veterans Affairs Office and the students’ academic degree advisor.

For payment information concerning VA payment for CPM courses taken for academic credit please contact the Veterans Services Office at Texas State University for additional information.

For payment information concerning VA payment for CPM courses taken for academic credit please contact the Veterans Services Office at Texas State University for additional information.

Undergraduate

Track 1 – PA 3330
Track 2 – PA 3300
Track 3 – Phil 4388
Track 4 – PA 3310
Track 5 – PA 3311
Track 6 - CATE 4310
Track 7 – PA 4398

Graduate

Track 1 – PA 5330
Track 2 – PA 5320
Track 3 – Phil 5388
Track 4 – PA 5310
Track 5 - Posi 5341
Track 6 - CTE 5323
Track 7 – PA 5388

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. In some instances 21 hours (7 courses) can count on the students degree outline. Consult with your Degree and Program Advisor for specific requirements.

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.

Information about the Texas CPM Program is available on the CPM Web Site, which is www.txstate.edu/cpm.

You can contact the Director of the Texas CPM Program, Dr. Miha Vindis at 512.767.2715 or mvindis@txstate.edu to register for CPM courses at the San Marcos, Round Rock and Arlington, Texas locations. Please check the schedules link on the CPM website for contact information for the other universities that are members of the CPM Network.

If you are taking CPM courses for certification credit only in San Marcos, Round Rock or Arlington CPM Registration fees are due by the first day of class. Registration fees can be paid online. Go to the CPM website and open the link “Register for CPM Courses Online” and complete the secure credit card form which will be visible after you complete the online registration

To register and pay for CPM courses at locations other than Round Rock, San Marcos and Arlington contact the CPM Director at that location to find out when registration fees need to be paid.

If a participant is taking CPM courses for Certification only than the current cost is normally $695 per course. There are 7 courses in the CPM Program so the cost is $4865 for the entire program.

CPM participants in Round Rock and San Marcos that are taking CPM courses for academic credit must pay additional fees to receive academic credit. Please open the CPM maroon banner which says, “Open this Link if Applying for CPM Courses for Academic Credit”. 

Applications can be found on the web or in the various CPM brochures put out by the member universities. Contact information for all of the CPM Directors is available on the CPM website. Open the “Schedules” link at the top of the page for CPM schedules at various locations and for contact information of the CPM Directors at these locations.

When the CPM Program is offered in a 1 day a month format it takes about 18-21 months to complete the Program. When it is offered in a 1 ½ day a month format it takes about 12-14 months to complete the CPM Program.

CPM courses are taught by professional public and not for profit supervisors and leaders such as city and county managers and department heads. Additional persons teaching in CPM courses are professors, private consultants and professional trainers.

See the CPM Program Brochure for a description of the 7 courses in the CPM Program. The brochure can be downloaded from the CPM website for course descriptions. Also see course details link under "About CPM".

Over 1900 participants in Texas have completed the CPM Program since it began in July 1995.