Management Academy

The Management Academy is a year-long professional development program that strengthens leadership and management skills in the public and nonprofit sectors. Participants choose from two tracks: Nonprofit Management Academy (NMA) or Public Management Academy (PMA), and engage in a mix of virtual workshops, collaborative learning, and a capstone project.

Workshop Details

• Course Code: CLDCE2
• Credits: 138 contact hours
• Format: Live Zoom sessions + asynchronous components
• Time: Thursdays, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Tuition: $2,970 (includes 22 days of training and instructional materials) Learn more. »
• Certification: Qualifies toward the Ohio Certified Public Manager® Program credential. Learn more. »

Upcoming Cohorts:

• Cohort 17: February 5 – December 10, 2026
• Cohort 18: Late Spring 2026

Capstone Project

All participants complete a multi-phase capstone project that applies workshop concepts to real-world challenges in their organization or community. Capstone teams often collaborate across departments or sectors to develop practical, measurable solutions. 

Tuition & Payment Info

• Payment Methods: Credit card, corporate check, CSU staff development funds
• Need an invoice? Contact Madison Mercer at m.o.mercer@csuohio.edu
• CSU employees: Staff development forms available through the Bursar’s Office. Submit to Madison Mercer, then register via CSU Learning Stream.

Registration & Dates

Cohort 17 | February 5 – December 10, 2026

• View NMA Program Schedule | View PMA Program Schedule
• Enroll today
• Submit Payment via CSU Learning Stream

Cohort 18 | Late Spring 2026

• Join Wait list.

For general program information, contact Rob Ziol at r.ziol@csuohio.edu.
For registration or payment questions, contact Madison Mercer at m.o.mercer@csuohio.edu

Apply Your Coursework Toward a Master of Public Administration Degree

Coursework completed through the Management Academy may be applied toward Cleveland State University's nationally ranked Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree through the MPA Pathway program. This opportunity allows professionals to leverage their Management Academy training as part of their graduate education. Learn more. »

Ohio Certified Public Manager® Program

The Management Academy is a required component of the Ohio Certified Public Manager® (OCPM) Program, administered by CSU's Center for Public & Nonprofit Management. Participants must complete the Leadership Academy and the Public Management Academy to earn this credential.
Learn more about OCPM. »

Cancellation & Refund Policies

Cleveland State University reserves the right to cancel a workshop and issue a full refund if there are not enough registrants.

Participant-initiated cancellations:

• A full refund will be issued if cancellation is requested at least two business days before the first class.
• Alternatively, participants may transfer their paid tuition to a future equivalent course (within the same college or school) at no additional cost, provided they give at least two business days’ notice.

All requests must be submitted to Madison Mercer at m.o.mercer@csuohio.edu.
Learn more about CSU’s Refund Policy.