Certified Public Manager
Background
In 2019, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) entered into an agreement with Texas State University to deliver the Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program.
In Spring 2022, TAMIU partnered with the City of Laredo to offer the CPM Program to city employees. The first cohort of fifteen participants began in June 2022 and successfully graduated in December 2022. A second City Cohort began in January 2023, and during that time, the City requested that a special program for City Elected Officials be established, which launched in August 2023.
In Spring 2023, Webb County and TAMIU entered into an agreement to offer the CPM Program to County Elected Officials and Department Heads, with classes beginning in August 2023 and October 2023.
Most recently, in Summer 2025, TAMIU and the City of Eagle Pass entered into an agreement to provide the CPM Program to City Employees, with the first cohort scheduled to begin in October 2025.
Mission
The mission of the TAMIU Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program is to expose participants to the most effective and innovative principles and practices in municipal administration and management as they have evolved throughout the United States.
To achieve this goal, the CPM Program faculty not only present foundational theories and principles but also actively facilitate their application in real-world public service settings.
Curriculum
The Certified Public Manager (CPM) designation is awarded to public sector middle managers who have completed 300 hours of study through a CPM program accredited by the National Certified Public Manager Consortium. CPM programs are sponsored and operated by a public sector agency or university within a state or other political jurisdiction.
The CPM program is a nationally accredited, comprehensive management development program available to managers in federal, state, and local government agencies. Some states also permit enrollment from non-profit organizations. The program’s primary goal is to enhance the performance of public sector managers while improving the organizational effectiveness of government agencies at all levels.
This program provides a comprehensive course of study through which public managers can acquire and apply best practices and management theory to their professional behaviors and strategies, guided by a prescribed set of professional competencies. The curriculum emphasizes practical application, enabling participants to address real-world challenges faced by themselves, their departments, and the communities they serve.
The CPM Program consists of seven tracks, or courses, designed to enhance the skills, knowledge, and abilities of public and nonprofit managers. Participants may enroll in individual courses or complete the entire program, and courses can be taken in any order.
Currently, CPM Programs are offered in Arlington, Austin/Round Rock, Edinburg, Houston, McAllen, Midland/Odessa, Laredo, Nacogdoches, and San Marcos.
CPM Program Management
The day-to-day management of the CPM Program is the responsibility of TAMIU’s Office of Lifelong Learning (Continuing Education) in collaboration with CPM Program Director Dr. Peter Haruna (Professor of Public Administration and Government). TAMIU’s Office of Lifelong Learning (Continuing Education) brings extensive experience in organizing workshops and professional development programs, while the CPM Program Director provides subject matter expertise and overall guidance for the program. Together, they ensure the effective delivery of the seven-track CPM Program.
Additionally, they collaborate closely with stakeholders at Texas State University (TSU), TAMIU, Webb County, the City of Laredo, and the City of Eagle Pass. For all matters related to the CPM Program, correspondence should be directed to Adriana Rodriguez (adrianah.rodriguez@tamiu.edu) or Dr. Peter Haruna (pharuna@tamiu.edu).
The Seven Leadership Competencies of CPM (NCPMC) Goals and Objectives
- Personal and Organizational Integrity
- Managing Work
- Leading People
- Developing Self
- Systemic Integration
- Public Service Focus
- Change Leadership
The purpose of this course is to provide essential information concerning management issues relating to personnel administration and management. This course will cover the following topic areas in detail; managing public organizations, managing human resources, managing budgets and financial resources, managing ethics, planning and implementing public programs, and evaluating public programs and organizations. Topics include recruitment/selection/promotion and termination; Legal issues including equal employment opportunity and affirmative action; performance evaluation, discipline/termination, health/safety, collective bargaining, classification, compensation, and employee benefits. Also covered are managing ethics, sexual harassment, education, training as well as staff development.
(24 contact hours)
Practices such as reengineering, Total Quality Management (TQM) and strategic planning will be explored in detail. The course will also focus on how a systems approach can help public administrators understand how organizations can improve their organizational operations.
(24 contact hours)
Topics include communication with governing and overseeing bodies, overcoming barriers to effective communication, and dealing with disagreement, conflict and group thinking. Improving oral and written communication skills are also included in this track.
(24 contact hours)
The basics of finance, budgeting and public sector accounting and auditing will be explored in detail. Additional topics include cutback management and economic development.
(24 contact hours)
Benchmarking, program evaluation and the tools and techniques of public administration research will be explored. In addition, the basic principles of legal research will also be explored.
(24 contact hours)
Tools and systems such as the Internet and online federal and state databases will be identified and discussed in detail. Additional topics include social networking, geographic information systems and information systems technology.
(24 contact hours)
This track is the capstone of the CPM Program and will incorporate lessons and information provided in the other six tracks. Requirements are to pick a topic in public and/or non-profit administration and management. Participants should be prepared to do a 10-15 minute oral presentation on their project.
Office of Lifelong learning (Continuing Education)
5201 University Boulevard
Student Center 118
Laredo, TX 78041
Tel. 956.326.3068 — Fax 956.326.2838
E-mail: ce@tamiu.edu
Office Hours: Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.