Admission Requirements

To apply, you must:

• Currently hold a management or leadership position^* with a city, county, state or tribal government; a public educational institution; a port, public utility or other special district; or another type of public agency
• Have at least three years of professional experience, including at least one year of engagement with a public organization (or a board, as a volunteer, etc.) 
• Meet the following candidate qualities: 
  • Self-motivation and self-direction: Because the Washington CPM^® is a blended program,  you’ll need to be able to keep up with the independent portions of the program and complete major projects on time with little assistance. 
  • Passion for public service: The CPM^® is a leadership and management program for those who want to grow their skills not just for their own sake, but so they can improve their organization and better serve the public. 
  • Commitment to growth: Change, systems thinking and a growth mindset are key to the CPM^® program. You should have already demonstrated a commitment to your own growth and that of others. This can take the form of pursuing formal training, seeking out stretch assignments or opportunities and/or encouraging others to do the same. 
  • Reflective: True leadership requires the ability to look deeply at your own experiences, values, abilities and relationships.

^*Management or leadership position can mean many things, including but not limited to:

• Manages/supervises one or more employees
• Leads cross-divisional teams or groups
• Is part of the organization's management team
• Has responsibility for developing policies affecting all or a subset of the organization (team, division, department, etc.)
• Has responsibility over budget and spending for all or a subset of the organization

Time Commitment

This is an intensive blended program. In addition to the twice-weekly online classes, you must attend five in-person sessions on the UW Tacoma campus over the course of the program. Outside of class, you should expect to spend about four to six hours a week on coursework and/or projects.

English Proficiency

If English is not your native language, you should have at least intermediate English skills to enroll. To see if you qualify, make sure you are at the B2 level on the CEFR self-assessment grid. To learn more, see English Language Proficiency Requirements – Noncredit Programs.

International Students

To enroll, international students must have a visa that permits study in the United States. This program does not enable students to obtain or maintain F-1 visa status. For more information, see Admission Requirements for International Students.

Technology Requirements

You must have access to a computer, and we recommend a high-speed internet connection.

Earning the Certificate

You earn a certificate of completion by successfully completing all required courses. For more information, see Earning the Certificate.