Certificate of Public Management, Missouri State University

Missouri State University
Certificate of Public Management

Department of Political Science > MPA Program

The Certificate of Public Management (CPM) is a post-baccalaureate program designed to enable practitioners in government and non-profit organizations to acquire knowledge and skills in public administration without pursuing a full Master's degree. This is an ideal academic program for individuals working in mid-level jobs that have not previously received professional training in public administration. While the focus is on the public sector, the courses teach leadership and problem solving skills that apply to the non-profit sector as well.

CPM REQUIREMENTS

The CPM program requires a total of 18 hours of graduate credits involving a mix of required and elective credits. The courses are the same as those offered to MPA students. The courses must be completed within four years of admission into the program. The program does not require a comprehensive examination, area of concentration, or a capstone research requirement. Courses must be completed with a 3.0 GPA for successful completion of the certificate.

I. Required Core Courses

	PLS 652 Public Personnel Management
	PLS 653 Management Techniques and Organizational Behavior
	PLS 656 Financial Management in State and Local Government
	PLS 671 Seminar in Public Administration

Total 12 hours

II. Elective Methodology Courses (Choose 1)

	PLS 573 Public Policy Analysis
	PLS 576 Quantitative Methods for Political Science & Public Policy
	PLS 662 Public Policy and Program Evaluation
	CAS 502 Analyzing Crime Data
	SOC 606 Advanced Social Research Methodology
	RPL 601 Research Methods in Resource Planning

Total 3 hours

III. Concentration Subfield (Choose 1)

	PLS 655 Seminar in Public Management
	PLS 654 Seminar in Health Policy
	PLS 659 Seminar in Administrative Management & Organization Theory
	PLS 660 Seminar in Intergovernmental Relations
	PLS 555 Public Policy for a Global Environment
	SOC 540 Community Analysis: A Focus on Crime
	RPL 604 Community Resource Planning
	CRP 571 Land Use Planning

Total 3 hours

Total Hours Required: 18

Admission to Program

Admission to the Certificate Program requires the same application materials as the MPA. This includes a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, a 2.75 or higher grade point average, and 3 letters of recommendation. Unlike the MPA degree, a standardized examination such as the GRE is not required. Admission is open to qualified persons without regard to age, physical disability, national origin, race, religion, or gender.

In addition to the general requirements specified in the Missouri State University Graduate Application, selection is made on the basis of prior academic performance, professional accomplishments, and other indicators of the ability to pursue successfully graduate education and a professional career in public management.

Students who do not meet the normal admission requirements, but who show an indication of high promise, will be considered for probationary admission. The Director of the MPA program will define probationary conditions and convey those to the student.

Admission to the Master of Public Administration Program from CPM

The CPM is designed for persons in management positions who need a limited number of selected courses in contemporary methods, skills, and models of management. On occasion, however, a person may pursue the CPM and then decide that it would be desirable to pursue the MPA degree. Under normal circumstances, CPM course credits may be applied to the MPA.

Admission to and successful completion of the CPM in no way guarantees admission to the MPA program. Students who are enrolled in the CPM or who have completed the CPM must apply separately for admission to the MPA and comply with the MPA admission standards and the requirements of the Graduate College, including completion of a standardized examination such as the GRE, GMAT or LSAT.

Admission Deadlines

Application packages should be received by the Program office one month prior to the semester you wish to begin the program. You may begin the program in the Fall, Spring, or Summer semester.

Requests For Information

For information about the Graduate Programs in Public Administration, please contact: James Kaatz, Director, Master of Public Administration Program, Department of Political Science, Missouri State University, 901 South National Avenue, Springfield, MO 65804

Email: JamesKaatz@MissouriState.edu