Massachusetts Certified Public Manager® (MA-CPM)

Program Benefits

The benefits of the MA-CPM credential program at Bridgewater State University include:

• Enhancement of personal leadership strengths
• Increase in intergovernmental networks and communication
• Increase in personal effectiveness
• Innovative solutions
• Promotion of quality in public service
• Online Course delivery to accommodate life and work schedules
• Diverse faculty with extensive experience in a variety of public service and public affairs settings
• Professional development modules addressing timely public service issues
• Small classes facilitating a more personalized learning experience
• Affordable tuition, whether you live in state or out of state

Program Contact:

Program Director: Prof. Jodie Drapal Koretski (Kluver)
Email: jkluver@bridgew.edu
 

Prospective students:

Possessing a Bachelor’s degree are eligible to apply to the MA-CPM program for graduate-degree credit. Applicants seeking graduate-credit toward the MA-CPM program will need to complete the following:

• Submit the online application for the College of Graduate Studies and provide the associated $50 application fee

• A résumé
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
• A short essay on their interest in public service and how the MA-CPM would support their aspirations for the future

Public and Non-profit sector administrators without a bachelor's degree may apply to the Massachusetts-Certified Public Manager® (MA-CPM) program for credential-only. Applicants must provide:

• A résumé
• A short essay on their interest in public service and how the MA-CPM would support their aspirations for the future.
• Materials should be sent directly to jkluver@bridgew.edu. 

Application Deadlines

Rolling admission for Fall, Spring and Summer enrollment. 

Applications that are not completed prior to the start of the semester will need to be moved to the next applicable semester.

The Massachusetts Certified Public Managers® (MA-CPM) program curriculum includes the following competencies:

• Personal and Organizational Integrity
• Managing Work
• Leading People 
• Developing Self
• Systemic Integration
• Public Service Focus
• Change Leadership

Course Delivery 

The MA-CPM program provides 325 hours of instruction to participants. To earn the certificate, participants must successfully complete twelve (12) courses, as well as a capstone project and professional portfolio. MA-CPM courses are offered fully online. The program is administered through the Office of Graduate Studies located at the Bridgewater State University main campus. Online coursework is delivered through Blackboard and may include a variety of written projects, mini exams, online discussion boards, readings and Zoom meetings. Completion of the program may require traveling to various Bridgewater sites.  Instructors in the MA-CPM program are BSU professors and experienced professionals holding advanced degrees.

Curriculum

Core Courses (5 credits)
POLI 581 / NCPO 081 - Intro to Certified Public Management
POLI 584 / NCPO 084 - Managing Human Resources in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
POLI 595 / NCPO 095 - Strategies for Organizational Assessment
POLI 596 / NCPO 096- Capstone Experience
POLI 597 / NCPO 097 - Budgeting Process in Public and Nonprofit Organizations

Professional Courses (3 credits)
Select one from each group of two:
POLI 582 / NCPO 082 - Budgeting Process in Public and Nonprofit Organizations - Change Management OR
POLI 590 / NCPO 090 - Leadership Self-Awareness

POLI 580 / NCPO 080 - Administrative Law in Public Administration OR
POLI 585 / NCPO 085- Legal Practices in Human Resources

POLI 587 / NCPO 087 - Leading Sustainable Organizations OR
POLI 593 / NCPO 093- Planning and Development

Electives (4 credits)

Select four from the following:
POLI 504 / NCPO 004 Quantitative Skills for Public Administrators
POLI 517 / NCPO 017 - Basics of Survey Research for Public Administration
POLI 519 / NCPO 019 - GIS Basics
POLI 520 / NCPO 020 - Information Technology Security
POLI 589 / NCPO 089 - Understanding and Promoting Ethical Behavior
POLI 583 / NCPO 083- Conflict Resolution and Negotiation in Public Administration
POLI 594 / NCPO 094 - Grant Writing and Administration

Students may also select  POLI 580/NCPO 080, POLI 582/NCPO 082, POLI 585/NCPO 085, POLI 587/NCPO 087 and POLI 593/NCPO 093 as electives once all required courses are completed.

Total Minimum Credits: 12

Additional certificate requirements include the successful completion of a Capstone Project and a Professional Portfolio.  

The Massachusetts Certified Public Manager® (MA-CPM) program is offered as a graduate-credit option for those who have completed their bachelor's or are working on their Bridgewater State University master's degree. As a student within the MA-CPM graduate-credit program, you may be able to transfer up to six (6) MA-CPM credits into the Master of Public Administration (NASPAA-accredited) program at Bridgewater State University—dependent upon acceptance. Current BSU MPA students may transfer up to six (6) module credits into the MA-CPM program upon graduation and may dual register in the program. For more information, contact the program director at jkluver@bridgew.edu.