Online Public Management Courses

Jump to online course descriptions.

Course structure | Hardware/Internet requirements | Course descriptions | Instructor profile | Other information | Also of interest

These online classes are available worldwide. You can participate in our online public management classes from home, from your office, even when you travel! A PC or laptop, modem and browser bring the virtual classroom to you, when and where you want to participate.

Open enrollment. You do not have to be enrolled in the Wisconsin Certified Public Manager certificate program to participate. Anyone interested in these public management topics can enroll for these online professional development courses. For those who are in WCPM, each online class included here fulfills 18 hours of the 300-hour requirement of the certificate program.

To register call 608-262-0810 or 800-725-9692.

Course structure

Cohort classes: are 6 weeks in length and allow you to engage interactively with other public managers in the virtual classroom. Weekly readings/assignments and discussion encourage active learning. You share your ideas and experiences with your classmates and network with other managers throughout the country. Fee: Each 6-week session is $295 (excluding additional textbook fee, if applicable).

Each cohort class includes a week zero. Week zero is a one-week orientation period preceding each online class, allowing students time to familiarize themselves with the course site, navigation tools, etc., before the class formally begins. Each class has a registration deadline 2 weeks prior to its start date.

Independent (self-study) classes allow 8-9 months to complete the required lessons on your own. The fee for Independent Study classes is $128. Independent study classes have continuous enrollment, you may enroll, begin, and progress through the course at the time and pace that is convenient to your schedule.

Hardware/Internet requirements

• Computer: a 486 PC or better running Microsoft Windows 95 or better, or a Quadra-level Macintosh or better running Macintosh System 7 or greater (At least system 7.5 is recommended)
  
• Modem: at least 28.8k, or a digital line
  
• A printer connected to your PC is recommended for
  downloading information

• Web browser: either Netscape 4.0 or Microsoft Explorer 4.0 (if you use another browser, it must be Frames Capable)
  
• E-mail reader (E-mail is also built into the browsers)

2. Connectivity
You will need Internet access and a Web browser with a provider of your choice. This will be a provider in your location, or an account with a national provider, such as Compuserve. If you choose America On-Line, Compuserve, or other national browser you still need Internet access. Simply enlisting with these services doesn't provide Internet access. These companies can provide this access to you usually at an additional cost.

3. Orientation
There will be an online orientation available prior to the start date of your course to assist you in becoming familiar with navigating through the course site. You will also see several recommended sources of online tutorials for developing general Internet skills such as search strategies and using listservs.

Candidates: See how our online courses fit into your certificate program requirements. Information is listed with each workshop description, or you can download the equivalency chart for a reference covering all the online public management courses.

To register call 608-262-0810 or 800-725-9692.

Course descriptions:

NEW! Now you can complete CPM online classes in two formats: as part of a cohort group over a scheduled 6-week period  -or-  as an independent study class that you complete at your own pace anytime before June 2, 2008.

6-week Cohort Classes:

Using Succession Planning and Mentoring to Chart the Future
This class will help you think about your current and future workforce—who is in the workplace right now, who might be in the workplace in the future, what skills will be needed, how you'll replace workers who leave, and how you'll support the development of workers and managers within your agency.  Since at least 80% of any department's budget (outside of federally-budgeted entitlement monies) is spent on human resources, understanding the future and current workforce of the organization is essential for any manager.
Instructor: Susan Paddock
Tue, Jan 8 – Mon, Feb 18 (#0511);  Registration deadline: Dec 21; Location: Online; Limit 20;  Cost: $295; 1.8 CEU
Equivalent of 3 Personnel Management courses. View longer description of this course.  For more about CPM requirements see Program Overview. For more about online course equivalencies, download the Table of Online Equivalencies. To register call 608-262-0810 or 800-725-9692, or register online.

Leading and Leadership
Learn what is needed to be an effective leader, whether at the top of an organization or as a middle manager.  Through readings, case studies and discussion, learn leadership theories and specific leadership strategies and techniques.
Instructor: Susan Paddock
Tue, Apr 8 – Mon, May 19 (#0502); Registration deadline: Mar 25; Location: Online; Limit 20;  Cost: $295; 1.8 CEU
Equivalent of 2 CPM Organizational Management courses and the required "Leadership" course. View longer description of this course.  For more about CPM requirements see Program Overview. For more about online course equivalencies, download the Table of Online Equivalencies. To register call 608-262-0810 or 800-725-9692, or register online.

Independent Study Class:

Managing In and With the Public Sector
This online independent study class is the equivalent of the face-to-face session, The Public Management Profession and Environment, required of all CPM candidates.  Learn current and relevant information on public management as a profession, including how the field is changing, how your position is affected by trends outside the organization, and issues you will want to monitor in the coming year.
Instructor: Susan Paddock
Mon, Oct 1 – Mon, Jun 2 (#0503);  Continuous enrollment; Latest date to begin the course:  Tue, Apr 1; Location: Online; Cost: $128; 0.6 CEU. View longer description of this course.  For more about CPM requirements see Program Overview. To register call 608-262-0810 or 800-725-9692, or register online.

Instructor profile

Susan Paddock is a professor of governmental affairs in the Department of Professional Development and Applied Studies at UW-Madison and director of the Wisconsin Certified Public Manager Program.

Other information

Cancellation policy: If you are unable to participate in a group class or arrange for a substitute, you may obtain a refund minus the $20 administrative fee by contacting our registration department at least 3 business days prior to the program. If you cancel 3 business days or less before the program, or do not participate, you are responsible for the entire fee. To cancel or arrange for a substitute, please call 800-725-9692. No refund is given for cancellation of an Independent Study class. Exceptions to this policy will be determined by CPM program staff on a case-by-case basis.

Also of interest:

The Law Enforcement Management Certificate program within the Wisconsin Certified Public Manager program.

The Department of Professional Development and Applied Studies also offers online classes for human service professionals.

Several personal enrichment online courses are offered through the Department of Liberal Studies and the Arts. Learn more by visiting that Web page at http://www.dcs.wisc.edu/lsa/online.

WCPM is a program of the
Department of Professional Development & Applied Studies
610 Langdon St., Rm. 313.....Madison WI 53703
Phone: 608-263-2088 or .....(800) 442-4617
Fax: 608-265-2329.....E-mail: pdas@dcs.wisc.edu