Courses & Pricing

Certified Public Manager® Program

The Heartland Certified Public Manager® (CPM) program is a professional education opportunity for managers working in government agencies, nonprofits, and organizations that contract to provide public services and meet community needs. CPM is a nationally accredited management and certification program in which participants develop and strengthen their management skills through our competency-based curriculum. The program can fill a training gap for staff with significant technical expertise who seek to further their knowledge of current management and leadership practices.

Our CPM program offers cohorts in locations across Kansas and Missouri, as well as fully online. Each cohort begins in January or July and lasts 11 months. To see meeting dates, choose a session below and view the full schedule under session details.

If you're interested in hosting a future cohort in your city, please reach out to Kate Nygren at knygren@ku.edu.

July 1, 2025 to May 6, 2026, (Olathe, KS)
July 9, 2025 to May 14, 2026, (Topeka, KS)

Emerging Leaders Academy

Ensuring that future leaders have the skills they will need to face unexpected challenges and address complex problems has never been so crucial. Our Emerging Leaders Academy targets promising, non-managerial staff to support skills development around leadership, interpersonal communication, relationship-building, and navigating change. Participants gain skills that can be applied immediately to increase their effectiveness while organizations gain a more prepared and engaged talent pool to draw from for the future.


Select a cohort option below to learn more or register. Note that our system requires we list 'KS' in the location but we welcome participants from anywhere.

August 12, 2025 to December 4, 2025, Shawnee Police Department (Shawnee, KS)
August 14, 2025 to December 4, 2025, North Kansas City Parks & Recreation Center (North Kansas City, MO)
August 19, 2025 to December 9, 2025, Online using Zoom (-, ONLINE)
August 21, 2025 to December 5, 2025, (Frisco, TX)

Kansas City/County Management Conference

At the KU Public Management Center, we take great pride in serving as the hosting agency for the Kansas City/County Manager (KCCM) conference that brings together local leaders in Kansas. Teaming up with the Kansas Association of City/County Management (KACM) Conference Planning Committee, we are delighted to showcase this event as the association's spring conference.

 

Our primary objective is to curate content that is pertinent to the challenges faced by contemporary public service leaders. Beyond featuring enlightening and thought-provoking speakers, the conference plays a pivotal role in offering a crucial networking platform for leaders in local government.

 

We look forward to seeing you in Lawrence at the Oread Hotel on April 24th and 25th, 2025!


This course contains no sessions

Inspiring Women in Public Administration Conference

Each year, KU's Public Management Center hosts the Inspiring Women in Public Administration (IWPA) Conference. Join us as we bring together women in public service careers to Innovate, Influence and Inspire one another as we build skills, forge connections, and reignite your passion for leadership. Don't miss out on this empowering experience-be a part of the movement! 

To view the full agenda for the day and other conference details, visit Inspiring Women in Public Service | Public Management Center

Please email kupmc@ku.edu with any questions.


Friday, August 22, 2025, Overland Park Convention Center (Overland Park, KS)

Supervisory Leadership Training

Individuals often receive training when they first move into a supervisory role. But over time they identify new areas where they'd like to hone their skills as their role evolves, the workforce changes, and new research on effective management practices emerges. Our 3-day course will bring you up to date, offering new skills and strategies to address challenges and bring out the best in your staff. During our three days together, we’ll cover a wealth of information. At the close of the three days, participants will set a goal for themselves about new skills/practices you want to implement following the training. They will also receive a simple, observational assignment that they can do while completing their normal supervisory work. Approximately a month after the course, participants will come back together for a 90-minute lunchtime discussion and report-out via Zoom. This session will be from 12pm-1:30pm. This added layer of accountability will ensure that what happens in the classroom actually translates to action in their day-to-day work. Class size is limited to ensure adequate discussion and individual attention.

$750 per person

Click a date below for additional class details or to begin the registration process. Note that our system requires that we list 'KS' in the location, but we welcome participants from anywhere.

September 9-11, 2025, Kansas Health Institute (Topeka, KS)
October 7-9, 2025, Shawnee Police Department (Shawnee, KS)
November 4-6, 2025, Online using Zoom (-, ONLINE)

A Community Engagement Compass for Good Governance: Meaningful Public Participation in a Rapidly Shifting Environment

Civic engagement today is increasingly shaped by rapid responses, fragmented dialogue, and advocacy that often reduces complex issues to slogans or statements. Rather than fostering collaborative problem-solving or arriving at a shared public judgment, much of today’s engagement leeches out nuance and meaning. This session explores how civic leaders and institutions can respond to this shift with intention, reclaiming space for dialogue and community-based decision-making. Participants will become acquainted with methods that provide meaningful avenues for civic engagement where members of the public can be involved in ways that feel impactful to them without sacrificing progress toward project goals and outcomes.


Wednesday, July 23, 2025, Online using Zoom (-, ONLINE)

COACHING

KUPMC provides coaching services for individuals and organizations who invest in and support employees in reaching their fullest personal and career potential. Coaching is a confidential dialogue between the coach and the client individual with the intention of exploring and finding creative ways to address challenging problems, improve team and unit performance, accelerate progress on key initiatives, and advance the individual’s career.  Coaching is not therapy or counseling.  The client individual is responsible for their own actions and results that arise from the coaching relationship.


To learn more before purchasing your three coaching sessions, schedule a 30-minute Intake Call

If you are ready to get started, add coaching to your cart. Once you have paid, your coach will be in contact with you about setting up an intake call. Your actual coaching sessions will be scheduled with the coach directly.

July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025

Extended Supervisory Leadership Training

Elevate your leadership skills with our Extended Supervisory Leadership Training program. This program-geared towards new and experienced supervisors-meets the needs of public sector supervisors who must communicate effectively in all directions: with the individual contributors on their team, the highest levels of leadership, and the peers in-between. This program uniquely spreads learning over four months, incorporating practical activities between sessions to deepen understanding. This course is designed to update and enhance your abilities, equipping you with innovative skills and strategies to tackle challenges, drive sustainable change, and boost employee efficiency. Across the three days of instruction and the final day of debriefing, we delve into a rich array of topics. As the course concludes, participants will develop actionable goals to apply their new skills and practices, ensuring lasting impact. Additionally, a straightforward observational task will be assigned, forming the foundation for our final-day debrief. This approach not only reinforces learning but also guarantees the translation of best practices into real-world action, fostering a lasting transformation in the organization.

$750 per person

Click a date below for additional class details or to begin the registration process.

This course contains no sessions

Leading EDGE

Discover the essential keys to building high-performing local governments that thrive in today's dynamic landscape. From visionary leadership and strategic planning to innovative service delivery and collaboration, this invaluable program unveils the roadmap to success. Dive into the core principles of performance measurement, employee engagement, and ethical governance that drive organizational health. Elevate your local government to new heights, exceed expectations, and become a shining example of effective governance. Explore the power of these transformative concepts and unleash the full potential of your local government.

July 18-25, 2025, Kansas Memorial Union (Lawrence, KS)