About ICMA University
ICMA University's mission is to advance the profession of local government management through learning and skills enhancement. ICMA University is committed to providing the professional development support you need throughout your local government career. Our professional and leadership development programs bring together cutting-edge theory and research with practical skills development, providing you with the knowledge and proficiencies needed to change and shape your career and your organization.
Local Government Management Fellowship
A highly competitive career-development opportunity designed to generate interest in local government careers among recent master's program graduates and career-changers.
Emerging Professionals Invited to Regional Conferences
ICMA's purpose is to provide the inspiration, education, and connections you need to grow and thrive in the profession.
Emerging Leaders Development Program
Build knowledge, skills, and abilities in the basic management and technical topics that managers need to know to be successful.
Leadership ICMA
Leadership ICMA is a competitive, intensive two-year ICMA University program designed to cultivate key competencies needed for successful leadership at all levels of local government management. Participants not yet eligible for credentialing join a class of select individuals to complete a series of five class modules and a team-based capstone project. All Leadership ICMA graduates receive one year of experience "credit" toward the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program. The program has graduated its twelfth cohort and welcomed the Class of 2019, with members of the class of 2018 working on capstone projects hosted by the cities of Leesburg, VA, Riverside, CA, salem OR, and Squim, WA. Program Details We are now accepting applications for the Class of 2020. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis through October 12, 2018. The tuition and materials fee is $1,750 per year plus travel costs.* Successful completion of the program is celebrated with a special certificate and membership in the Leadership ICMA Alumni Association. Apply Now What You Can Expect The small classes encourage a strong learning community. The initial orientation and team-building session is held in Washington, D.C., in mid-December. Participants later attend University of Virginia's Senior Executive Institute in May or June. The capstone project preparation meeting is held the next January or February at Arizona State University. Other travel is to work on small-group projects and meet at the ICMA Annual Conference two to three times. Participants also communicate through monthly conference calls and online discussions. The program facilitates networking within the profession and enhances connections between local government managers and their professional association. Who is Right for the Program Applicants must be ICMA members and have at least three years of management experience in local government or a related field. They must have completed the ICMA Applied Knowledge Assessment for their own edification. (Results of the assessment remain confidential and are not considered in the review of applications.) Employers must sign a commitment form confirming their willingness to support the educational and travel costs associated with this program. Your Course of Study Class modules are scheduled over the course of the two-year period, including a capstone project that requires participants to demonstrate their competence in the concepts presented throughout the Leadership ICMA program. Each module requires considerable preparation through assigned readings, full attendance, and completion of written assignments that demonstrate a grasp of the subject matter in advance of the module. Faculty include well-respected academics who teach in public administration programs and premier local government executive institutes, local government practitioners, and other content experts. Module 1: Leadership Philosophy and the Essence of Public Service. Participants engage in a variety of team-building activities designed to develop a solid foundation for positive, honest, and collaborative engagement over the course of the Leadership ICMA program. This is complemented by an intensive overview of democratic values, leadership philosophies, and the value of professional management in a rapidly changing world. This highly interactive session is led by Felicia Logan, ICMA director of Leadership Development. Module 2: Understanding the Code of Ethics and its Practical Application. The Integrity/Ethics component of this module has its basis in the ICMA Code of Ethics and its practical applications in modern local government management. There is heavy focus on case studies and role-playing exercises. This session is led by Elizabeth Kellar, ICMA ethics advisor and deputy director. Module 3: Giving Voice to Leadership: Understanding the Role of Policy Administration and Advocacy. Key to understanding and appreciating the role of the elected official is the ability to understand the relationship between policy and administration. Through readings, case studies, and examples from local governments represented in the class, participants learn to better understand this unique relationship. Skills honed in this module include facilitating the flow of ideas, information, and understanding between and among individuals; advocating effectively in the common interest; communicating support for policies, programs, or ideals that serve the best interest of the community; and balancing the needs and demands of competing advocacy groups through negotiation. This module is presented in partnership with the Senior Executive Institute at the Weldon Cooper Center of the University of Virginia. Module 4: Organizational Effectiveness and Team Building. This module, completed in the second year, focuses on the practical concerns and skills of a high performance organization—the tools needed to help the local government become known for leadership at all levels, vision that is connected to values, high standards of quality, delivery of customer “value,” and strong financial performance. The module covers effective principles of trust, communication, role clarification, and performance accountability that can create the teams necessary for effectiveness in local government, particularly for participants who are new team leaders, whose team composition has changed, or whose teams are experiencing stress from external events Module 5: Strategic Planning and Project Management. Strategic planning capabilities are critical to playing an effective leadership role. This module, also completed in the second year, focuses on skills necessary to position the organization and the community for events and circumstances that are anticipated in the future, including the ability to analyze and facilitate good policy choices. Module 6: ICMA 101. This module provides participants with an understanding of ICMA’s mission, history, goals, organization, services, products, and opportunities for member involvement. Leadership ICMA participants are invited to actively engage in a leadership role within the association by serving on task forces, convening member groups for discussion of key issues, leading educational or informational sessions at the ICMA conference or regional meetings, or participating in an international project or exchange. Capstone The capstone project requires participants to demonstrate their competence in the concepts presented throughout the Leadership ICMA program. Working in teams, participants work on a local government consulting project solicited through a formal RFP process with a local government client. Through a series of facilitated exercises, participants are individually and collectively evaluated to determine whether they have met the criteria for graduation. Leadership ICMA Reference Form Leadership ICMA Commitment Form Leadership ICMA Legacy Fund Grant Application *It is difficult for ICMA to provide a useful estimate of travel costs since they are different for every participant depending upon initial travel location, but potential applicants should feel free to look up hotel and airfare costs (and estimate time out of the office) based on the information below. The initial orientation and team-building session is held in Washington, D.C., in early-December for three nights. Participants later attend the University of Virginia's Senior Executive Institute (SEI) in May or June for eight days. There is a $650 program fee for SEI. (ICMA pays the remaining tuition cost of $2,800 per person.) Last year, lodging and meals for that event were $1,550 per person, not including airfare. The capstone project preparation meeting is held the next January or February at Arizona State University for three nights. Other travel is to work on small-group projects (travel paid by host cities) and meet at the ICMA Annual Conference two to three times (participants are responsible for registration, lodging, and travel costs). The staff, members, and alum of Leadership ICMA would like to thank ICMA-RC and the Leadership ICMA Legacy Fund (Class of 2010) for their generous support of our program. ICMA-RC’s contributions will ensure that Leadership ICMA as a whole can continue to offer younger generations of local government professionals incredible leadership development opportunities. The Leadership Legacy Fund’s contribution is designated to ensure that each participant - now and in the future - has the financial resources available to take advantage of all of the program’s components, regardless of budget cuts in their jurisdictions or changes in their employment. Thanks to the Leadership ICMA Legacy Fund, scholarships to cover the cost of tuition will be available. We are so grateful to partner with each of these organizations.
Mid-Career Managers Institute
A focused leadership development institute for those who identify themselves as mid-career professionals.
Midwest Leadership Institute
Focus on successful outcomes in local government that require a deep understanding of interpersonal leadership.
Williamsburg Leadership Institute
Compare the relevance of lessons learned in Williamsburg in the 1770s with what is happening in our communities today.
ICMA SEI Leadership Institute
This seven-day leadership program is the study of leadership and the leaders role in high performance organizations. Applications are now being accepted.
Legacy Leaders
Legacy Leaders is a program designed to encourage credentialed managers to mentor the next generation of local government professionals.
ICMA Regional Conferences
ICMA Regional Conferences are a two-day learning experience with career-building, mentoring, and leading ideas to help local government professionals and their communities thrive.
Virtual Conference Webcasts
The Virtual Conference archives allow you to experience sessions from ICMA’s Annual Conference and to partake in the learning even if you were not able to attend the on-site conference. Archives of selected sessions will give you a sampling of the thought leadership that takes place at conference each year—all on your own time, right at your fingertips. Use the virtual conference as an opportunity to share professional development with your staff. For just one fee, your entire staff can participate. This cost-effective method of providing ongoing education to your staff is a win-win for everybody! Please note that keynotes are only available for 60 days after the last day of each conference. 2017 ICMA Virtual Conference - (archives)
Webinar Series: Effective Supervisory Practices
ICMA's popular series gets retooled in robust, new platform. This six-part webinar series is a must for any jurisdiction looking to develop the next generation of leaders.
Webinar Series: A Budgeting Guide for Local Government
A three-part webinar series that takes a forward-looking, strategic approach to budgeting.
Local Government 101 Online Certificate Program
Give your resume a boost with an ICMA professional certificate in local government management.
Local Government 201: Online Certificate Program
Gain a practical understanding of core topic areas that are essential to becoming an effective local government manager.
International Online Learning
Expand your knowledge with certificate programs and training materials for individuals and educational programs around the world.
Webinar Subscription Program
Take advantage of your membership benefits. ICMA is now offering an annual subscription to its Live Webinar Program.
Emerging Leaders Development Program
Build knowledge, skills, and abilities in the basic management and technical topics that managers need to know to be successful.
Mid-Career Managers Institute
A focused leadership development institute for those who identify themselves as mid-career professionals.
Local Government 101 Online Certificate Program
Give your resume a boost with an ICMA professional certificate in local government management.
Local Government 201: Online Certificate Program
Gain a practical understanding of core topic areas that are essential to becoming an effective local government manager.
Ethics Workshops
An in-depth exploration of ethics and practical tools and strategies for your organization.
High Performing Organizations
Challenge yourself to think differently about how your organization can work!
Performance Measurement/Management Skill-Building Workshops
Maintaining a consistently high level of quality in staff work, operational procedures, and service delivery.
Public Safety Management
Learn the basic principles of service delivery in public safety.
Management
Workshops focused on conveying ideas effectively to others; organizational planning and functional/operational expertise.
Community Engagement
Determining community needs and providing responsive, equitable services.
Staff Development
Promoting the development and performance of staff and employees throughout the organization.
Personal Development
Demonstrating a commitment to a balanced life through ongoing self-renewal and development in order to increase personal capacity.
Leadership and Innovation
Setting an example that urges the organization and the community toward experimentation, change, creative problem solving, and prompt action.
Planning, Budgeting and Finance
Learn how to interpret financial information to assess the short-term and long-term fiscal condition of the community.
Mini Workshops
Two-hour skill building workshops that can be brought to your organization.
The ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program provides local government professionals the ability to reflect on their learning, receive feedback, and get recognition for the professionalism they bring to local government management. Validate your experience and commitment to the profession.
Become a credentialed manager!
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