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Public Management Certificate

There is a growing need for capable and confident public managers. Gain the necessary skills, knowledge, and ethics to succeed in the public sector. The 2026-2027 academic year is open for registration! See our new course catalog which contains new courses!

Program Snapshot

Degree Type

Executive Development Program

Campus

Salem, Portland, Online

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Professor teaching

Earn a Certificate in Public Management

Equip yourself with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to thrive in public management. Join over 700 government professionals who have benefited from the Certificate in Public Management program.

Why pursue a certificate in public management at Willamette?

  • Three to Four Day Class Modules. Take modules as they become available, depending on your availability and interests. Each module spans three to four days during a particular week.
  • The best of business and public sectors. Our approach helps those at federal, state, or local government agencies do more with less. Combine business expertise with a public and nonprofit focus and provide excellent customer service using practical tools and strategies.
  • Innovative modules you can choose from. Our certificate program offers a variety of topics that benefit government and non-profit employees. Choose eight modules that enhance your skills.

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Curriculum

Gain confidence and skills that you can immediately apply in your role. We offer multiple modules, some of which span multiple times in a year. Participants must complete any eight modules listed below to earn a Certificate in Public Management. View the schedule below.

    • Institutional Leadership: Navigating Public, Private, and Nonprofit Leadership
    • Accounting: What’s that got to do with Management?
    • Follow the Money - Budget and Finance in the Public Sector
    • Negotiating for Success: Creating “Win-Win” Every Day
    • Innovation & Change
    • Data Storytelling: Turning Data into influence
    • Process Improvement
    • Strategic Management
    • Understanding the Dynamics of Organizations
    • Policy and Politics
    • Effective Public Speaking
    • Managing with Artificial Intelligence: Assessing the Ethics, Efficacy, and Efficiency of AI in the Workplace

What do others think about this program?

Read about our prior students' experiences.

Business Transitions Manager
Department of Human Services – Self-sufficiency Program

I couldn't have timed my participation in the Certificate of Public Management better if I’d tried. After 12 years of experience in the public sector, I joined the CPM to expand my leadership capacity, refine my managerial skill set, and make a greater contribution.

Shortly after finishing the program, I took on a large managerial role beyond my job description and outside my professional ‘comfort zone.’ Drawing heavily on the CPM’s lessons, I oversaw the training of a surge of new hires. Thanks to my new skills –and the support of a dedicated staff- the mass training went smoothly and efficiently.

What most impressed me about the program was its close alignment with the unique challenges we face in the public sector. The graduate-level faculty’s instruction, context and projects proved that they knew where we were coming from. They tailored each class and project to the types of challenges that we confront on a daily basis.

Layered over the classes and projects, a series of interactions with the legislature illustrated the interdependence of the state’s various agencies. I now have a richer understanding of how I contribute to my agency’s mission, how my work affects other agencies, and how we can collaborate to make the Department of Human Services a world-class agency.

I would recommend the CPM to anyone with the vision and drive of an aspiring leader; someone who is motivated to amplify her impact by investing in her skills and knowledge.

 

Director of Technology
Salem-Keizer Public Schools

The Certificate of Public Management equipped me with the skills I thought I needed as a burgeoning public manager, and more besides. I came into the CPM with a computer science degree and several years of real-world experience. I needed to bolster my managerial acumen and leadership capacity so that I could continue growing professionally and expand my impact.

Ten years after completing the CPM, the quality of the conversation amongst my cohort stands out as one of the program’s most memorable benefits. It was very enriching to hear the perspective of experienced peers from other departments. During my undergrad studies in computer science and subsequent years of work I hadn’t heard ‘their side.’ Understanding their daily challenges and expectations for technology made me a better manager and collaborator.

The program itself delivered just as much value. The way the CPM aligned best business practices with the unique needs of the public sector has proven indispensable. Though our motives and accountability structure differ, we in the public sector still have to run a tight ship. From marketing to negotiation to IT, every course expanded my perspective of the complex, strategic, and systemic aspects of public management.

Finally, I have to praise the faculty. The real-world experience of the government executives complemented the graduate-school professors. That layering of context over the in-class conversation and material was a real boon.

I would recommend the CPM to any public sector professional seeking a transformative learning experience.

 

 

Senior Policy Analyst
City of Salem Public Works

I describe the CPM as ‘an MBA without the electives.’ The program is well designed for ambitious public employees who may not have studied business or public administration in college, but wish to build on their practical experience. I took the program as a structured opportunity to update my degree in public administration and my 30-year career.

The CPM helped me to refocus on the challenges that I face as an analyst for the City of Salem, refine my understanding of management, and work more efficiently. It refreshed the way I think about everything, from my daily tasks to my department’s overall mission.

The CPM also provided a useful opportunity to hear how other agencies, departments, and divisions get their work done. The diversity of perspectives -representing all levels of government- really elevated the quality of the conversation. The program’s duration complemented that breadth of experience; the CPM lasted long enough for us to study and discuss current governmental topics as they played out. It was very informative to hear from the different ‘sides’ of the group as these matters reached resolution.

Between the expanded perspective, the material tailored to the public sector, and the graduate-level faculty, the CPM delivered on its promise. It outlines how to be more effective as a public sector manager. It’s not a refresher course for those who already have a graduate-level education.

I would recommend the CPM to any public or non-profit employee who wants to be successful and work up to the higher levels of public management.

Why Choose a Certificate in Public Management

Program Values

We’re focused on preserving democracy. Our certified public manager program is designed to make individuals and government agencies excel. Your community, organization, and career will thank you for it.

Students in class

Public Management Instructors

Our instructors know what challenges affect those in public service. Their experience, paired with peers in the program, provides a wealth of knowledge to help public servants excel in management.

Price, Details, and Discounts

  • Details

    The entire program can be completed online, but classes are offered in Salem and Portland. We also offer a flexible course schedule where you can take courses as they become available. The program requires students to complete any eight modules to earn a certificate.

  • Costs

    A certificate of completion is awarded upon completion of eight modules. For the 2026-2027 academic year, each module costs $475. Pricing includes instruction, textbooks, learning materials, and program activities. 

  • Discounts

    The Certificate of Public Management now offers the following incentives for enrollment:

    1. Willamette Community Discount: A special discount is available for all Willamette University Alumni and current students
    2. Bulk Purchase Discount (4 Modules): Purchase four (4) modules at once and receive a 50% discount on the fourth module.
    3. Bulk Purchase Discount (8 Modules): Purchase eight (8) modules at once and receive one module completely FREE.

    Reach out to edc@willamette.edu to attain discount codes and to see if you are eligible.

State of Oregon Internal Selection

Many governmental units have an internal selection process for candidate selection. Potential students should consult with a supervisor regarding participation. Agency rules will dictate the process for covering or reimbursing training costs.

Professor having a meal with students.

Schedule: Upcoming Sessions

Each Certificate in Public Management module covers approximately two and a half days of instruction. To receive credit towards the certificate, participants must attend all scheduled class days, or make arrangements with the instructor, and complete all required work.

Fall 2026

Dates:

  • August 7, 2026 (Friday) 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • August 14, 2026 (Friday) 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • August 21, 2026 (Friday) 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • August 28, 2026 (Friday) 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Instructor: Dr. Tim Johnson

Module Description: Workplace use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) grows more common by the day. Yet, are these AI implementations advancing the values and objectives of the enterprises that adopt them? Managing with Artificial Intelligence helps employees across the public and private sector answer that question via an exploration of how AI works and how managers can appraise the ethics, efficacy, and efficiency of AI in the workplace.

This course was introduced in Fall 2025, and according to students was incredibly useful in explaining AI integration and impact in the workforce. With 100% of student surveys saying they would recommend this course to their peers, Managing AI returns to the Certificate of Public Management to help Public Sector employees understand and evaluate current AI trends and its impact on management.

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Dates:

  • September 4, 2026 (Friday): 08:00 am to 12:00 pm
  • September 11, 2026 (Friday): 08:00 am to 12:00 pm
  • September 18, 2026 (Friday): 08:00 am to 12:00 pm
  • September 25, 2026 (Friday): 08:00 am to 12:00 pm

Instructor: Dr. Jasmine Ames

Module Description: This new CPM course was created based on feedback from prior students who were asked the question “What course would add the most value to public sector leaders today.” Designed by Strategic Management instructor and Atkinson Contributing Assistant Professor Jasmine Ames, this course is designed for leaders operating across public, nonprofit, and private-sector institutions.

This course integrates scholarship in public governance, strategic management, and public value theory with applied case analysis and structured peer learning. Drawing on contemporary governance theory, including collaborative governance, networked leadership, and institutional legitimacy, participants examine how leaders mobilize cross-sector partnerships, steward public trust, and create measurable public value in complex political and organizational environments.

Emphasis is placed on developing advanced leadership competencies such as executive presence, adaptive communication, stakeholder alignment, and ethical decision-making. Through reflective practice and real-world application, participants strengthen their capacity to navigate ambiguity, exercise principled influence, and advance community-centered outcomes. The course also offers optional individualized executive coaching to deepen reflective leadership practice and support personalized strategic growth.

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Dates:

  • October 9, 2026 (Friday): 08:00 am to 02:30 pm
  • October 16, 2026 (Friday): 08:00 am to 02:30 pm
  • October 23, 2026 (Friday): 08:00 am to 02:30 pm

Instructor: Donna Haole Valenzuela

Module Description: This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of public budgeting and financial management within government and non-profit organizations. It is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and utilize budgetary and financial information for effective decision-making and resource allocation in the public sector.

Key topics typically include:

  • Fundamentals of Budgeting and Financial Management: Covering the basics of public funds management, budget preparation and processing, and revenue projection.
  • The Budget Cycle: Exploring the phases of the budget cycle (preparation, approval, execution, and audit/evaluation) and its relationship to government accountability and performance.
  • Revenue and Expenditure Analysis: Examining different revenue sources (taxes and non-tax), tax policies and their implications, exploring innovative revenue ideas better suited to today's economy, and methods for analyzing and controlling expenditures.
  • Budgetary Decision-Making: Understanding how to use budgetary and financial information for organizational planning, implementation, control, reporting, and analysis.
  • Ethical Considerations and Accountability: Addressing the ethical implications of the budget process and the importance of financial accountability and transparency.

Through hands-on and interactive exercises, you will get a glimpse of a full budget cycle, along with a day of role-play of a legislative hearing.

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Dates:

  • October 30, 2026 (Friday): 08:00 am to 02:30 pm
  • November 6, 2026 (Friday): 08:00 am to 02:30 pm
  • November 13, 2026 (Friday): 08:00 am to 02:30 pm

Instructor: Brad Avakian

Module Description: Whether it’s the management of a budget or the development of policy, the good work of public agencies is affected by politics. Every public servant eventually reports to an elected official. Understanding how to navigate political factors is essential to effective public management. This course will take a candid look at those factors, explore ways of working with them, and provide the skills necessary to be a successful public servant within political and policy-making environments.

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Dates:

  • November 4, 2026 (Wednesday): 08:00 am to 02:30 pm
  • November 18, 2026 (Wednesday): 08:00 am to 02:30 pm
  • December 2, 2026 (Wednesday): 08:00 am to 02:30 pm

Instructor: Tim Roby

Module Description: Students learn how to approach and analyze data using various tools & techniques to turn the data into meaningful information. Students also learn and demonstrate the use of tools and best practices for visualizing and presenting their findings to influence decision making.

The focus is not on the technical aspects of data analysis, but rather on learning to use data and the results of analysis in presentations through understanding the processes and results of transforming data into information and then into knowledge. This course follows the six domains from the International Institute for Business Analysis’s (IIBA®) Guide to Business Data Analytics.

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Spring 2027

Dates:

  • January 6, 2027 (Hybrid Portland)
  • January 13, 2027 (Online)
  • January 20, 2027 (Online)
  • January 27, 2027 (Online)

Instructor: Nancy Bearg, Executive Professor

Module Description: In an era of rapid global and technology shifts, the ability to lead change is no longer just a management skill—it is a strategic necessity. This course provides leaders and managers with the frameworks and practical tools required to navigate complex transitions and cultivate a sustainable culture of innovation.

Drawing on the extensive high-level leadership experience of Professor Nancy Bearg—former National Security Advisor to the Vice President of the United States and veteran of the National Security Council and other US government bodies and non-profit organizations—students will move beyond theory to explore how change is created, articulated, communicated, and executed in high-stakes and other environments.

Whether you are navigating the nuances of state-level policy or driving growth in a competitive business or non-profit landscape, this course equips you with the “Leadership Vision and Strategy" necessary to turn institutional inertia into impactful progress.

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Dates:

  • January 8, 2027 (Friday): 08:00 am to 12:00 pm (Online)
  • January 15, 2027 (Friday): 08:00 am to 12:00 pm (Online)
  • January 22, 2027 (Friday): 08:00 am to 12:00 pm (Online)
  • January 29, 2027 (Friday): 08:00 am to 12:00 pm (Online)

Instructor: Warren Bindord

Module Description: Negotiating for Success is an immersive, experience-based module designed to transform how you handle conflict and competition. Whether you are advocating for a salary increase, navigating a union contract, or managing household responsibilities, this course provides the tools to move beyond adversarial tactics toward principled, “win-win” solutions.

Rooted in the classic framework of Getting to Yes, the curriculum enriches traditional theory with modern insights that may impact the bargaining table. You won’t just study negotiation; you will practice it.

Active Skill-Building: Master active listening and identify your dominant conflict modes.
Strategic Versatility: Differentiate between hard, soft, and principled negotiation styles.
Cultural Intelligence: Analyze how micro- and macro-cultures impact resolution opportunities.
Practical Application: Participate in four simulated negotiations and one self-generated role play based on your real-life professional or personal challenges.

Through a blend of group discussions, self-assessments, and reflective writing, you will integrate your unique personal style into a professional negotiation framework. By the conclusion of the module, you will be equipped to identify opportunities for resolution in any environment and lead stakeholders toward a successful "yes."

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Dates:

  • February 3, 2027 (Wednesday): 01:00 pm to 05:00 pm
  • February 10, 2027 (Wednesday): 01:00 pm to 05:00 pm
  • February 17, 2027 (Wednesday): 01:00 pm to 05:00 pm
  • February 24, 2027 (Wednesday): 01:00 pm to 05:00 pm

Instructor: Pamela Stroebel Powers

Module Description: Recent Secretary of State audits have found knowledge and communication gaps between management and accounting operations. They also found that people new to the accounting field have difficulty explaining how accounting fits into the overall operations. As a manager, it is important to increase your accounting literacy, and people who work in the accounting field need to gain a bigger picture perspective of the impact of accounting practices. Because of these special needs, we have designed a new module in consultation with the agency finance officer, the Secretary of State’s Audit Division, and the State Treasurer’s office.

This module will review financial statements used by state agencies and demonstrate how reviewing financial information can improve decision-making and provide awareness of opportunities for process improvement. Most managers have an awareness of budget processes, so the module will explore the differences between the budget and accounting processes.

Participants will learn the shared financial vocabulary between accountants, management, and auditors and will discuss ways to partner with auditors for effective outcomes as well as prepare for an audit. The module will also provide tools and techniques for analyzing, documenting, mitigating, and monitoring risks. Guest speakers will cover special topics including specialized accounting practices in government, Treasury rules and practices, and external audits.

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Dates:

  • March 5, 2027 (Friday): 08:00 am to 12:00 pm
  • March 12, 2027 (Friday): 08:00 am to 12:00 pm
  • March 19, 2027 (Friday): 08:00 am to 12:00 pm
  • March 26, 2027 (Friday): 08:00 am to 12:00 pm

Instructor: Jasmine Ames

Module Description: This module is on how to build a strategic plan to lead our organizations to “excellence.” This module focuses on:

  • Defining “excellent performance”
  • Strategic innovation – breaking out of being compliance-driven and risk-averse
  • Building a step-by-step plan to achieve excellence

Creating and managing projects that improve the business systems, competencies, and culture that are prerequisites to reaching strategic goals.

The goal of this module and this class is designed to be tactical and pragmatic.

  • Understand how to set inspiring goals and build plans to achieve them
  • Build an understanding of the characteristics, tools, and techniques of successful strategy implementation
  • Learn techniques to overcome obstacles and setbacks during a strategy rollout
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Dates:

  • April 8, 2027 (Thursday): 08:00 am to 04:30 pm

Instructor: Kennedy Hawkins

Module Description: Everyone needs to polish their public speaking skills, and last year we piloted a one-day, small-class approach that received excellent feedback from participants. It offers the same opportunities to practice and receive feedback as our previous 2.5-day class but in a condensed, in-person format.

The class focuses on skills to help you create and deliver clear messages tailored to unique audiences.

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Dates:

  • March 31, 2027 (Wednesday): 01:00 pm to 05:00 pm
  • April 7, 2027 (Wednesday): 01:00 pm to 05:00 pm
  • April 14, 2027 (Wednesday): 01:00 pm to 05:00 pm
  • April 21, 2027 (Wednesday): 01:00 pm to 05:00 pm

Instructor: Pamela Stroebel Powers

Module Description: Process mapping can be an integral step in understanding and improving key business processes that help us achieve and support our strategic and operational objectives. This course will introduce process mapping techniques and tools, including LEAN principles, that can be used to identify and implement process improvement opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness for all types of processes—operational, financial, strategic, and more.

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Dates:

  • April 2, 2027 (Friday): 08:00 am to 12:00 pm
  • April 9, 2027 (Friday): 08:00 am to 12:00 pm
  • April 16, 2027 (Friday): 08:00 am to 12:00 pm
  • April 23, 2027 (Friday): 08:00 am to 12:00 pm

Instructor: Dave Baden

Module Description: This course focuses on public leadership and management skill building and provides real-life tools needed for meeting leadership challenges in Oregon state government. Students will work through management scenarios to learn how to think on their feet, present complex information to legislators and policy makers, and build the right tools to deal with challenging emotions and stress while doing difficult work.

The class includes a mix of traditional instruction as well as individual and group projects. Students should be prepared to collaborate with others and actively participate in the sessions. The instructor will use current policy, management, and budget challenges to allow students to work on real-world problems.

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Important Information

Public management is about running and organizing public sector organizations like government agencies and non-profits that provide services to people. It aims to make these organizations work better by using ideas from management, economics, and public administration. Public management helps improve the quality of life for citizens by making sure services are delivered effectively and fairly.

Yes, obtaining a Certified Public Manager (CPM) certification is worth it for several compelling reasons:

  • Career Advancement
  • Skill Development
  • Increased Credibility
  • Networking Options

Obtaining a public management certification can have several positive effects on your career. CPM programs can provide enhanced knowledge and skills, and increase job opportunities through career advancement, professional status, and networking events.

Public administration and public management are similar, but they do have distinct meanings and focus areas within the broader scope of managing public sector operations.

While public administration deals with the broader context of governmental operations and policy implementation, public management zooms in on the managerial strategies used to enhance these operations.

Willamette University

Atkinson Graduate School of Management