Announcement: CU Denver is Celebrating 50 Years
Whether you’re an alumnus, current student, member of the faculty and staff, donor, or neighbor, you’re a valuable part of the CU Denver community. Help us celebrate the last 50 years and a future that works for all.
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Explore CU Denver Programs
Use the search tool below to discover degree and certificate programs offered by CU Denver. If you are unable to find a program that is right for you, please contact Admissions or a school or college for more information.
Program Overview
The Colorado Certified Public Manager® (CPM) program is designed to offer public sector professionals an opportunity to develop and improve their management and leadership skills, while earning a nationally-recognized, professional certificate. Courses are taught by academic and practice-focused faculty to bring theory and practice together with the existing experience of attendees. Attendees come from all levels and areas of government, which offers a unique classroom experience wherein students connect with and learn from the experiences and perspectives of other professionals. The program culminates in a student-developed capstone project.
The Colorado Certified Public Manager Program will be holding in-person sessions at this time, with a Zoom-in option or those who are unable to attend due to personal COVID-19 concerns. We will consult public health and university policies and experts to determine if fully virtual courses will be resumed. In-person, we will follow guidelines for distancing and safety protection. Please review all course dates carefully when you register.
CU Denver School of Public Affairs offers Colorado's only Certified Public Manager® (CPM) program which confers the national Certified Public Manager® certificate. The courses in the CPM curriculum include leadership, teamwork, human resources, administrative law, finance and budgeting, ethics, public engagement, strategic planning and management, emergency and disaster management, and innovation.
Students in the full certificate program complete a capstone project to incorporate and utilize the coursework in a real-life project within their agency. Courses are provided on campus, at CU Denver, in a two-day format (Friday - Saturday) approximately every other month. The program involves a total of 300 hours, including approximately 80 hours on a capstone project. Each course requires some pre-reading and pre-session homework as well as post-session homework.
CPM is well suited for mid-level managers in all areas of government, high-level managers seeking a broader perspective, professionals transitioning to the public sector, and aspiring government managers.
The program fee for the entire certificate is $3,300 which is typically paid on a course-by-course basis, at $500 per course plus $300 for the capstone project. Payment plans are available. Individual courses are $300 each for those not seeking the full certificate.
On occasion, the School of Public Affairs has offered the CPM program in a cohort model outside of CU Denver (recently in Durango, Vail/Glenwood Springs, and Aspen). For more information about bringing a cohort to your area, contact info.cpm@ucdenver.edu.
CU Denver School of Public Affairs offers Colorado's only Certified Public Manager® (CPM) program which confers the national Certified Public Manager® certificate. The courses in the CPM curriculum include leadership, teamwork, human resources, administrative law, finance and budgeting, ethics, public engagement, strategic planning and management, emergency and disaster management, and innovation.
Students in the full certificate program complete a capstone project to incorporate and utilize the coursework in a real-life project within their agency. Courses are provided on campus, at CU Denver, in a two-day format (Friday - Saturday) approximately every other month. The program involves a total of 300 hours, including approximately 80 hours on a capstone project. Each course requires some pre-reading and pre-session homework as well as post-session homework.
CPM is well suited for mid-level managers in all areas of government, high-level managers seeking a broader perspective, professionals transitioning to the public sector, and aspiring government managers.
The program fee for the entire certificate is $3,300 which is typically paid on a course-by-course basis, at $500 per course plus $300 for the capstone project. Payment plans are available. Individual courses are $300 each for those not seeking the full certificate.
On occasion, the School of Public Affairs has offered the CPM program in a cohort model outside of CU Denver (recently in Durango, Vail/Glenwood Springs, and Aspen). For more information about bringing a cohort to your area, contact info.cpm@ucdenver.edu.
Program Description
The Colorado Certified Public Manager Program will be holding in-person sessions at this time, with a Zoom-in option or those who are unable to attend due to personal COVID-19 concerns. We will consult public health and university policies and experts to determine if fully virtual courses will be resumed. In-person, we will follow guidelines for distancing and safety protection. Please review all course dates carefully when you register.
CU Denver School of Public Affairs offers Colorado's only Certified Public Manager® (CPM) program which confers the national Certified Public Manager® certificate. The courses in the CPM curriculum include leadership, teamwork, human resources, administrative law, finance and budgeting, ethics, public engagement, strategic planning and management, emergency and disaster management, and innovation.
Students in the full certificate program complete a capstone project to incorporate and utilize the coursework in a real-life project within their agency. Courses are provided on campus, at CU Denver, in a two-day format (Friday - Saturday) approximately every other month. The program involves a total of 300 hours, including approximately 80 hours on a capstone project. Each course requires some pre-reading and pre-session homework as well as post-session homework.
CPM is well suited for mid-level managers in all areas of government, high-level managers seeking a broader perspective, professionals transitioning to the public sector, and aspiring government managers.
The program fee for the entire certificate is $3,300 which is typically paid on a course-by-course basis, at $500 per course plus $300 for the capstone project. Payment plans are available. Individual courses are $300 each for those not seeking the full certificate.
On occasion, the School of Public Affairs has offered the CPM program in a cohort model outside of CU Denver (recently in Durango, Vail/Glenwood Springs, and Aspen). For more information about bringing a cohort to your area, contact info.cpm@ucdenver.edu.
CU Denver School of Public Affairs offers Colorado's only Certified Public Manager® (CPM) program which confers the national Certified Public Manager® certificate. The courses in the CPM curriculum include leadership, teamwork, human resources, administrative law, finance and budgeting, ethics, public engagement, strategic planning and management, emergency and disaster management, and innovation.
Students in the full certificate program complete a capstone project to incorporate and utilize the coursework in a real-life project within their agency. Courses are provided on campus, at CU Denver, in a two-day format (Friday - Saturday) approximately every other month. The program involves a total of 300 hours, including approximately 80 hours on a capstone project. Each course requires some pre-reading and pre-session homework as well as post-session homework.
CPM is well suited for mid-level managers in all areas of government, high-level managers seeking a broader perspective, professionals transitioning to the public sector, and aspiring government managers.
The program fee for the entire certificate is $3,300 which is typically paid on a course-by-course basis, at $500 per course plus $300 for the capstone project. Payment plans are available. Individual courses are $300 each for those not seeking the full certificate.
On occasion, the School of Public Affairs has offered the CPM program in a cohort model outside of CU Denver (recently in Durango, Vail/Glenwood Springs, and Aspen). For more information about bringing a cohort to your area, contact info.cpm@ucdenver.edu.
CU Denver graduates earn more, build community, and make connections. Take the first step toward your future and join an inclusive community of learners while gaining the skills of tomorrow, today.