2 . How does it work?

The program consists of classroom instruction, required readings, examinations, and work-related projects. The classroom instruction series, known as The Certified Public Manager Program (CPM), consists of eight four day training sessions. Each four day session is referred to as a Level; forming Levels I through VIII. The readings supplement course content; the examinations assess the individual's understanding of course content; and the projects demonstrate work applications of course content.

Levels I through III focus on the supervision of human resources and are designed to increase a public manager's individual and group supervisory skills. These levels relate to the individual, work groups, and the organization, respectively. The upper level CPM courses are designed to improve a manager's understanding of complex organizations, large systems, and policy formation.

3. Is this program only for public managers?

The CPM program is designed for the public sector manager; however, the program does not exclude private sector participation.

4. Do I have to be a manager or supervisor to participate in the program?

Participation is dependent on selection by the contracting agency and voluntary choice by the individual employee. The rigor of the CPM program requires a high degree of conceptual ability, reading comprehension, and written and oral communication capabilities.

The Florida Center for Public Management (FCPM) does not require pre-testing or other proof of a candidate's educational or ability level for admission to the CPM program. However, deficiencies in these areas may impact an individual's successful completion of program requirements. Employers are advised to consider these factors when selecting candidates for the program.

Candidates for the CPM program typically hold management or management staff positions in Florida governmental organizations. A management position is defined as one which requires direction and supervision of more than one other employee. A management staff position is defined as one which, while not requiring direction and supervision of others, directly serves management by providing high-level technical or professional expertise.

Individuals with immediate potential and desire to move into managerial positions may also be chosen for participation based on developmental opportunity.

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5. How do I register for a program?

If you are an employee of a contracting agency, you may register for the program through the appropriate authorization, your human resources/personnel office, or directly through the CPM Coordinator at the FCPM.

Open enrollment programs presented through the FCPM and community colleges may vary from the FCPM's standard contract fees, depending upon the number of participants and program costs. Participants register directly with the sponsoring institution for these programs.

6. How long does it take to complete the program?

There is no prescribed time period for completing the CPM program. Most managers move through the curriculum in 24 to 30 months, which the CPM program staff have found to be optimal.

7. If I have to miss a complete level that my agency is sponsoring, will the cost be applied to my next class?

Credit cannot be carried forward to another session for a person who misses a complete level. Only when a participant has attended at least one full day of a level can he or she make up the missed portion without paying an additional registration fee.

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8. How will I be notified of upcoming Certified Public Manager levels?

• Please contact the CPM Coordinator at 850-644-6460 or SUNCOM 284- 6460.
• Contracting Agencies inform their own participants.
• Courses co-sponsored by Community colleges are advertised through the institution co-sponsoring the level.

9. Does the FCPM send out a memo on where and when training will be held?

• For more information, please contact the CPM Coordinator at 850-644-6460 or SUNCOM 284-6460.
• Contracting Agencies inform their own participants.
• Community college open enrollment offerings are usually held at the respective institution's facilities.

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10. Do I have to take the courses sequentially?

It is recommended that participants take the levels in order since each level builds upon the previous one. This enables the participant to integrate and correlate the skills acquired from each level with subsequent training. Exercises performed in the classroom may be linked to prior levels. Projects and readings should also be completed in a systematic, sequential manner to provide the full benefits of clarification and linkage of instructional training.

11. How many days of a level am I allowed to miss?

A half day can be missed without the participant having to make up the in-class portion of the level. Regardless of time missed, the participant is responsible for completing all homework assigned in class. Please note that attendance is taken each m orning and afternoon. Participants who have or develop a scheduling conflict should consider registering for the level at another time. If more than a half day will be mssed, the participant can makeup the in-class portion that they miss. The participa nt is responsible for scheduling these makeups. To avoid additional charges, makeups must be completed within six months of the initial level. Participants who do not complete their scheduled makeups must retake the entire level at their or their agency 's expense. Makeup opportunities are limited to levels already scheduled and are subject to availability of registration slots. Please contact the Program Coordinator at (904) 644-6460 for more information.

12. What are the minimum and maximum number of people that can attend a Certified Public Manager level?

The maximum is 30 participants. The minimum number is dependent upon the contracting agency; however, the minimum for the FCPM open enrollment is generally set at 15 participants.

13. Can I attend another agency's program?

Yes. Twenty-five spaces are made available to contracting agencies, with an additional five if needed. If these five spaces are not used by the contracting agency, the spaces may be used by participants who need to make up missed sessions or participants from other agencies who have registered through the FCPM to attend the level.

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14. Do I have to buy the books for the required readings?

Yes, unless your agency will purchase these books for you. Check with your agency to see if they have the reading materials. Agencies involved in the CPM program often keep a set of the required readings for their participants to use. If not, the participant may be responsible for obtaining the required literature. Readings may be purchased through your local bookstore or through the following sources:

• Encouraging the Heart: A Leader's Guide To Rewarding and Recognizing Others, by Kouzes and Posner, Jossey-Bass Publishing ISBN 0787941840.
• The Team Handbook, 3rd Ed. Scholtes, Joiner Associates, 1-800 669-8326. ISBN 1-884731-260
• Reinventing Government, Osborne and Gaebler, Hard bound version - Addison Wesley Publishing Company, Reading, MA 01867. Soft bound version - Penguin Publishers, 1-800-253- 6476. ISBN 0-201-52394-9.
• Also, check with the local bookstores in your area for special order services.

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15. What are CEUs and CPEs?

CEU stands for continuing education units. One CEU represents ten hours of instruction in a program which meets certain criteria specified by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. 2.8 CEUs may be awarded per CPM level. Many specific professional groups (i.e. attorneys, nurses, engineers, councilors, accountants, etc.) require CEUs for maintenance or renewal of certification or license. If you wish to obtain CEUs, please contact the CPM Registrar within five business days of the completion of a CPM level at (850) 644-6460 or SUNCOM 284-6460. The CPM Registrar will assist you in verifyi ng course completion of a CPM level.

The Florida State Board of Accountancy authorizes the issuance of CPE credits. Pending the board's approval, the courses in our program quilify for behavorial category CPE credit for Florida CPAs. Written proof of attendance will be supplied upon request.

All fees related to obtaining CEUs and CPEs are the responsibility of the participant.

16. Can I receive college credit for attending CPM training?

The Reubin O'D. Askew School of Public Administration and Policy at The Florida State University will award undregraduate or graduate credit to eligible participants for completion of the Certificate in Supervisory Management and Certified Public Mana ger requirements. Three credit hours may be earned for completing the CSM and an additional three credit hours for the CPM.

Participants who wish to receive credit must contact the Florida State Center for Professional Development and Public Service at (850) 644-7551. Please note that requests for college credit must be made within the academic semester that the CSM or CPM is completed. All fees related to obtaining these credits are the responsibility of the participant.

17. Do I receive credit for classroom participation if I don't take the exam?

You may earn CEUs plus credit on your agency's matrix of CPM training; however, in order to receive a CSM or the professional designation of CPM or college credit, you must complete all requirements, including examinations, projects, and readings.

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18. How many chances do I get to pass an examination, reading application, or project?

Three. After three tries, the appropriate level must be repeated before the exam will be administered again.

19. Can exams, projects, and applications be sent federal express?

All outside requirements should be sent via a reliable delivery service which provides for reasonable security, provacy, and the ability to trace the item being delivered. We recommend sending items by U.S. Certified mail (Return Receipt Requested). We do not recommend hand delivering items to the CPM program office. The CPM program office will not be responsible for any items that become lost. We recommend that participants make a backup copy of all assignments and retain these copies should they be needed.

20. If I am asked to resubmit a test, reading application, or project, do I have to do the whole assignment over again or just the sections that I missed?

Only those portions which are identified by the grader as inadequate must be retaken.

21. How long does it take for an exam, reading applicatin, or project to be graded?

Results are sent out within sixty days of receipt of an item. Please do not call the CPM program office for results until after 60 days plus a reasonable delivery period for the item and results have passed.

22. What is the minimum passing score for an exam, reading application or project?

You must have a minimum score of 70%.

23. Do the exams, reading applications, or projects change?

Yes, and it is the participant's responsibility to keep up with their assignments to obtain updated materials.

24. If I fail a test more than three times, will the agency pay for me to attend the level again?

This is dependent upon your agency's policy covering training expenditures.

25. Is there someone available to answer my questions when completing an exam, reading application, or project?

Yes. The instructors may answer your questions or someone in the CPM office may answer your questions. Please contact the CPM program office at (850)644-6460 with your questions.

26. What is a reading application?

A reading application is designed and written by our staff to help the participant bridge the gap of theory to practical use. Each application asks the participant to engage in planning an intervention within their workplace from the knowledge gained and to improve, in some way, how the participant's organization operates.

27. How do I join an exam study group?

Contact your agency training coordinator for information about a possible study group that has been formed at your agency. You and other participants may form study groups on your own, which we encourage. Assistance is also available through the Florida Society of Certified Public Managers.

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28. If I have to miss a complete level that my agency is sponsoring, will the cost be applied to my next class?

No, credit cannot be carried forward to another session for a person who misses a complete level. Only when a participant has attended at least one full day of a level can s/he make up the missed portion without paying a registration fee.

29. How much does the program cost (individual and agency)?

• Contracting Option:The Florida Center for Public Management will deliver the CPM training program to any state or local government group in Florida for a fee of $5,050 per level for classes of up to 25 participants. Sponsoring agencies may not sell space in a class and collect fees from participants outside of their agency. If the sponsoring agency has more than 25 persons who wish to attend a level, the agency must register the additional participants with the CPM program office and pay $202 per person for each participant over the first 25.
• Open Enrollment Option:The open enrollment charge is $340.00 per person.

30. How much does it cost to attend another agency's program?

If you are with a contracting agency the cost is $202.00. If you are not from a contracting agency the cost is the same as an open enrollmentrate or $340.00.

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31. What is the difference between the Certificate in Supervisory Management (CSM) and the Certified Public Manager (CPM) designation?

The Certificate in Supervisory Management (CSM) is awarded upon completion of Levels I through IV, Readings 1 and 2, Project 1, a comprehensive examination covering Levels I through IV, and an application for the first two readings.

The CPM designation is awarded upon completion of the CSM requirements, Levels V through VIII, Reading 3, Projects 2 and 3, and a comprehensive examination covering Levels V through VII.

32. Is there a way to get a listing of CPM participants and graduates in my agency?

Yes. This information may be obtained from your agency upon request.

33. How many levels are there in the CPM program?

There are eight levels which each of which last four days.

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34. What are the benefits?

Recognition of your commitment to professional standards and achievement in public management through the attainment of the professional designation.

Association in a network of professional public managers in Florida and other member states of the American Academy of Certified Public Managers.

Continued training opportunities, workshops and seminars offered to participants and graduates of the CPM program.

Awareness of new developments in the theory and practice of public management and innovation through the application of new ideas and approaches gained through participation in the CPM Program.

Opportunity to contribute to the development of professional public management through special projects.

Satisfaction of having professional preparation for assuming the responsibilities of public management.

Commitment by both organization and the individual manager to more effective public service through more efficient use of limited resources.

35. What happens after I've completed the program?

Individuals who have earned the CPM designation are eligible for membership in the Florida Society of Certified Public Managers as well as the American Academy of Certified Public Managers. The American Academy offers an annual Professional Development Symposium which is also an excellent opportunity for graduates to interact with members from other states.

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