Certified in Public Administration (CIPA)

General Information:

Educational Requirement: Associate Degree in any Business Related Field or in Public

Administration

Minimum Age: 19

Experience: 1 Year in the field of Management, Supervision or Public

Administration

CPE Hours: 10 Annual Hours

Examination Pass Rate: 75%

Conditional Requirement: 1 part

Application Process:

1. Complete application form, (include nonrefundable Examination Fee)
2. Two 2" x 2" passport photos
3. Official Transcripts
4. Two Letters of reference
5. Current Resume

Why Become Certified in Public Administration?

As a professional in Public Administration, you would have distinguished yourself amongst the best in the field of Public Management. The passing of a recognized examination is an indication that you are proficient and have the ability, capability and articulation in the art of public management. Your certification acknowledges your accomplishment in building essential skills in public sector management. The CIPA designation recognizes the developed skills and insights that you possess. Additionally, it speaks to your aptitude in the area of planning and implementing in the areas of public importance and organization leadership.

The CIPA designation further demonstrates your understanding of the management of government entities and the public sector. This includes the awareness of your competence and training in areas of; financial and personnel administration.

Examination Dates and Time:

Each of the four-part of the examination is two and one-half hours in duration. The exam is a combination of paper format and computerization offered as follows:-

• The last Friday and Saturday in each month commencing at 9:00 a.m. ? 6:00 p.m.
• Candidates should schedule their preferred time early to ensure the availability of space and a computer terminal. International candidates can take the exam at an approved location with an approved proctor. All results are mailed out on the third Wednesday after the examination.

Examination Board:

There is a five member examination board, all of whom are Public Sector Professionals.

Program Overview:

The ?Certified in Public Administration? (CIPA)program is concerned with devising, analyzing and implementing public policies for public institutions. This program is further designed to ensure that public leaders are prepared with the capacity to understand the politics, the economics and social characteristics of the theories of public management and the resolution of issues facing management. Candidates in the field of public management and administration will display their preparedness for the task related to public management and administration.

To achieve the CIPA designation, successful candidates would have demonstrated their articulation in numerous fields in the public sector. Broadly, candidates would have completed a course of study in all areas as related to such topics as: the Foundation of Public Administration, Public Policy, Public Personnel Administration, Program Planning & Evaluation and Public Financial Administration. The CIPA examination is designed to ascertain the candidate?s focus which would include:-

1. The ability to develop an approach to bureaucratic agencies in terms of individual participation.
2. The ability to articulate the various roles in public management and administration.
3. The ability to develop public policy and identify stakeholders in public management at various levels.
4. The ability to develop an overall knowledge of public agencies.
5. The ability to develop an approach to dealing with issues in public organizations.
6. The ability to develop formats for evaluating public agencies.
7. The ability to identify ethical issues and managing conflicts of interest.
8. The ability to analyze the practices in government, reviewing its effectiveness, and suggesting ways to improve the challenges faced by public organizations.

Further, CIPA candidates would have demonstrated their understanding of the modern concepts of public administration and management, appreciate the art of human resource management in the public sector and articulate the importance of strategic planning. The CIPA program is designed to ensure that candidates have a general overview of both issues and practices relating to public management and administration and have gained skills in the related areas. Inclusive in the overall program is the concept of bureaucracy, as well as, the core functions of public management. The four-part examination is as follows:-

Part 1 Public Policy & Intergovernmental Relations

Part 2 Public Management, Bureaucracy & Organizational Behavior

Part 3 Strategic Management, Performance & Human Resources

Part 4 Finances, Accountability & Ethics

Examination Syllabus

Part 1 Public Policy & Intergovernmental Relations

• Public Administration
• Administrative Tradition
• Theory of Public Administration
• Policy Making
• Policy Leadership
• Policy Network
• Rule and Rule Making
• Intergovernmental Relations
• Mandates
• Government Corporation

Part 2 Public Management, Bureaucracy & Organizational Behavior

• Bureaucracy
• Bureaucrat Bashing
• Bureaupathology
• Organizational Culture
• Groupthink
• Laws and Principles
• Public Management
• Scientific Management
• Management Science
• Entrepreneurial Public Administration

Part 3 Strategic Management, Performance & Human Resources

• Leadership
• Strategic Planning
• Mission Statement
• Performance Management
• Productivity
• Reengineering
• Quality Circles
• Public Enterprise
• Human Resources Management
• Public Personnel Administration
• Mentoring
• Pay-for-Performance
• Workforce Diversity
• Glass Ceiling

Part 4 Finances, Accountability & Ethics

• Financial Administration
• Congressional Budget Process
• Target-Based Budgeting
• Auditing
• Accountability
• Stewardship
• Ethics
• Administrative Morality
• Standards of Conduct
• Regime Values
• Impropriety with Statistics
• Whistleblower