Certificate in Public Management Eligibility and Costs

To be eligible for CPM training, an individual must meet the following criteria:

1. Approval for time away from work from the appropriate supervisor.
2. Ability to meet the time and financial commitments of the course.
3. Demonstrated initiative in seeking training and educational opportunities.
4. Advancing toward or through positions with managerial responsibilities.

CPM believes that creating and using information and data are key skills possessed by effective managers.  Courses will often feature cases and assignments that teach and refine data analysis skills.  Selected students should have a basic knowledge of Excel or seek training about Excel spreadsheets prior to the start of classes.

Many governmental units have created an internal selection process for CPM candidates.  To be considered for CPM, please fill out an application form and work with your supervisor or HR to determine your organization’s process. Your agency can choose to decide which candidates will be submitted to the selection committee.   Failure to work through an agency’s process could affect your ability to receive tuition reimbursement.

If your organization does not have an internal selection process, get your supervisor’s approval and then submit your application directly to the Atkinson School.  The CPM Selection Committee will make the final decision about who will be participating in the program. 

Costs
Participants enrolled in the Certificate in Public Management program are responsible for the costs of the program. The applicant should work with his or her agency to determine what portion of the tuition costs will be paid by the agency.  A common cost sharing model for the program between the student and the agency is 50-50. 

Costs for Cohort 11 (beginning January 6, 2012) are $975 per course, payable $1,950 per term or $7,800 for all eight courses.  This includes textbooks, learning materials, parking and program activities and a light breakfast. 

Financial Assistance:

Loans
In general, participants in the CPM are not eligible for federal loans, which require participants to be enrolled at least half time in their course of study. Half-time is defined as six credits per term. However, several private educational loan lenders provide loans for students enrolled less than half time. A few of those lenders are:

• Bank of America: 800-870-8142
  This less than half time enrollment loan is called the "Education Maximizer".
  
  
• Chase: 866-213-3151
  The student would want to inquire about the "Continuing Education Loan" from the list of private loans provided. This loan is called "Chase Extra".
  
  
• Wells Fargo: 877-255-2431
  With Wells, the loan for those enrolled less than half time is called the "Connection Education Loan".
  
  
• For additional private loan information, contact:
  
  Katy Wilson
  kwilson@willamette.edu
  Willamette University
  Senior Financial Aid Counselor
  503.370.6273 or 877.744.3736
  503.370.6588 fax

Veterans Benefits
Veterans and, in some cases, their spouses, may be eligible for financial aid toward the cost of education. The CPM is an approved program. For additional information, contact the Oregon Department of Veteran's Affairs at 503-373-2085 to speak with a benefits counselor.

Tax Benefits
Under Section 162 of the IRS code, taxpayers can deduct educational expenses if the coursework maintains or improves skills required in their current jobs or if the education is required to keep their present salary, status, or job. Expenses in excess of 2% of a taxpayer's adjusted gross income would be listed as a miscellaneous itemized deduction on Schedule A of their tax returns. People switching careers cannot deduct such expenses. Nor can expenses be deducted if they are related to coursework that is necessary as a minimum education requirement for a job. To determine your eligibility for this benefit, contact your accountant.

Application Materials can be found here...

Certificate in Public Management

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