The Certified Public Manager (CPM) program is a nationally accredited management development program created by the American Academy of Certified Public Managers. The program is designed to develop management, supervision and leadership skills in the public and private sectors.

To complete the program, students must complete 300 hours of training modules taken from a variety of topics ranging from entry level supervisory skills to executive management skills and complete a practicum within a local organization. While the subjects being taught are diverse, program participants say that it all comes down to learning how to better lead people.

“This program is all about people, and how it is vital to have the skills to lead and also follow well,” said program graduate Sonia Schumacher, office manager for Design Alaska.

The Alaska Certified Public Manager (CPM) program awards three sequential levels of certification:

• Level One: Certificate of Supervisory Management
• Level Two: Certificate of Associate Manager
• Level Three: Certified Public Manager

Note: Alaska's CPM Program awards non-transcripted, department-issued, continuing education certificates.

The following states are accredited or active members of the National CPM Consortium:

University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service (CES) assumed statewide coordination of the Alaska Certified Public Manager program in 2012 in partnership with other University of Alaska campuses, the State of Alaska Division of Personnel, and the Alaska Municipal League. For more information, contact the CPM Statewide Program Coordinator, at (907) 474-5211 or email  cesweb@uaf.edu.