Program Curriculum

The CPM Program Tracks

The Texas CPM program curriculum is designed around seven Tracks (courses). Each track is designed to meet the standards established by the National CPM Consortium and its 300 hour of study requirement. All program locations in Texas have the same Track structure and cover the same competencies in the areas of management, leadership and ethics. Candidates are required to complete all seven tracks to earn CPM credentials.

Program locations have different pacing and generally meet three or four times per Track. The total time to complete the CPM program varies by location and cohort. You can find schedules for each location here.

Public Personnel Administration

Track 1: Public Personnel Administration provides essential information concerning personnel administration and ethical leadership. The topics covered may include recruitment/selection, legal personnel issues, organizational culture, performance management, employee engagement, discipline/termination, health/safety, labor relations and collective bargaining, classification, compensation, and employee benefits.

Managing for Quality

Track 2: Managing for Quality explores the practices of building quality in public and non-profit organizations. Topics covered may include scenario planning, strategic planning, systems thinking, Total Quality Management (TQM), public involvement, crisis management, and process improvement.

Organizational Communication

Track 3: Organizational Communication covers the flow of communication within and outside an organization. Topics covered may include communication with governing and oversight bodies, barriers to effective communication, dealing with disagreement and conflict, and public engagement. This track also covers improving presentation and writing skills.

Public Finance & Budgeting

Track 4: Public Finance & Budgeting provides essential information concerning the practice of public finance and budgeting. Examples of topics covered may include finance methods, budgeting, public sector accounting, grants, debt management, public finance policy issues, cut-back management, and auditing.

Public Policy Evaluation

Track 5: Public Policy Evaluation focuses on public policy and program evaluation. Topics covered may include the tools and techniques of survey research development, performance measurement and benchmarking, productivity improvement, systems analysis, and program assessment.

Information Systems for Managers

Track 6: Information Systems for Managers presents up-to-date technology and information systems deployed by public and non-profit sector managers. Topics covered may include artificial intelligence, social media use and abuse, geographic information systems (GIS), SMART cities, automation, cyber security, and legal requirements for electronic systems and resources.

Applied Projects Practicum

Track 7: The Applied Projects Practicum provides students the opportunity and tools to prepare a significant applied research project related to their organization or area of interest. This track is considered the “capstone” of the CPM Program and incorporates lessons and information provided in the six other CPM tracks.