Online Public Management Courses

Jump to online course descriptions.

Course structure | Hardware/Internet requirements | Course descriptions | Other information | Also of interest | Student Comments

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 registration. 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 CPM, each cohort online class included here fulfills 18 hours of the 300-hour requirement of the certificate program; the independent study class earns 6 hours.

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.

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.

2012 Cohort classes will begin in Fall of 2012.

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.

To register call 608-262-2451 or 800-725-9692 or register online using the link provided with each class description.

Course descriptions

Independent Study Class:

Managing In 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: Robbi Dreifuerst is an outreach program manager in the Department of Professional Development and Applied Studies at UW-Madison and director of the Wisconsin Certified Public Manager Program.

Details: Friday, Oct 21, 2011– Monday, June 15, 2012 (#0503);  Continuous enrollment; Latest date to begin the course:  Monday, April 16, 2012; Location: Online; Cost: $128; 0.6 CEU. 
For more about CPM requirements see Program Overview. To register call 608-262-0810 or 800-725-9692, or register online.

Student Comments

"I enjoyed learning online because of the personalized attention the instructor provided throughout the class. Our online discussions really showed his commitment to helping us understand the topic." — A. Miller, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

"This was my first online class and I loved it. I liked that I could participate on my own time. It was a wonderful experience. Can't wait to see other offerings so I can continue to learn through this method." — S. Richardson, Racine County

"I like being able to participate when my schedule allows. I need that kind of flexibility in my life!"

"Online courses are an excellent way to advance my education --as a busy professional working full-time with many other time commitments."

Other information

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

Cancellation policy: 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 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.