Leadership for Today’s Public and Nonprofit Professionals
Offered by UNO’s School of Public Administration, the Nebraska CPM Program is a nationally accredited leadership development program for current and future public service professionals.
Complete your certificate in just one year through a flexible hybrid format combining online learning with in-person sessions. The program includes 17 engaging courses and a capstone project, all designed to strengthen leadership, strategic planning, project management, financial oversight, communication, and ethical decision-making.
Led by local experts and built for working professionals, the Nebraska CPM equips you with practical tools to lead confidently in today’s complex public and nonprofit environments.
Who Should Apply?
The Nebraska CPM Program is ideal for:
- Current supervisors or managers in government or nonprofit organizations
- Professionals with significant responsibilities, such as municipal or county clerks
- Aspiring leaders looking to move into supervisory or management roles in public service
- Individuals from all educational backgrounds – no prior degree or coursework is required
There are no prerequisites. Anyone committed to professional growth in the public or nonprofit sector is welcome to apply.
Program Benefits
- Life-long Certification
- Practical Skill Development
- Professional Networking
Earn College Credit – Up to 15 upper-level college credits toward a Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies (BMS) at UNO or up to 6 graduate credits towards a Master of Public Administration (MPA) at UNO.
Program Details
- Tuition Cost: The program cost is $2,749, excluding books and travel expenses for those commuting to Omaha for in-person sessions.
- In-Person Individual Class Fee: $275 per class. Materials and parking are included.
- Deposit: A deposit of $250 is due upon admission to the program
- Duration: 12-month certification program, new cohorts start in January
- Location: In-person sessions are held at the University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Schedule: Meet on campus six times throughout the year 2-3 days each session from 9:00am to 4:00pm. The rest of the program is offered online, with at least one course each month. See the full list of program topics and course descriptions here: 2026 program course schedule.
Deadline to Apply: January 5, 2026
FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions, including a comprehensive overview of the program here: FAQs and Program Overview.
For more information, contact Ellen Freeman-Wakefield, Assistant Dean for Global Engagement and Professional Programs at efreemanwakefield@unomaha.edu or 402.554.2636.
| Course | Date(s) |
| Knowing and Managing Yourself | Jan 21 & 22 |
| Strategic Planning and Continuous Improvement | Feb 18 |
| Managing for Results | Feb 19 |
| Project Management (Online)* | Mar 9-31 |
| Leadership | Apr 22 & 23 |
| Managing Public and Nonprofit Finances | May 20 & 21 |
| Organizational Culture, Inclusive Organizations, and Managing People | June 16 & 17 |
| Leading Teams | June 17 & 18 |
| Managing in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors (Online)* | Jul 6-13 |
| Understanding and Using Public Policy (Online)* | Jul 20-31 |
| Law for Public and Nonprofit Managers | Aug 19 & 20 |
| Communicating Effectively: Professional Communication and Getting the Most from Media Relations | Sep 23 & 24 |
| Understanding and Promoting Ethical Behavior (Online) | Oct 5-24 |
| Managing Information and Information Technology (Online) | Nov 2-20 |
| Negotiation Skills | Dec 16 |
*Individual CPM Sessions do not include access to online classes.