Center for Professional Studies
In today’s rapidly changing world, opportunities abound, as do challenges. The Zimpleman College of Business Center for Professional Studies can partner with you to provide professional learning experiences to enhance creativity, boost productivity, and influence overall organizational effectiveness.
The Center for Professional Studies is specially positioned to deliver a variety of highly effective learning programs for business, public, and nonprofit organizations. Our team works with you to identify areas for improvement and develop programs of study, then brings in Zimpleman’s top faculty to share their expertise in a professional setting. Programs can be conducted on or off campus.
Professional Learning Experiences
We can help you meet your enterprise goals through our different programs.
Drawing on Drake University Zimpleman College of Business faculty expertise, we collaborate with you, the client, to design and deliver a mission-focused, coordinated, and academically sound program of study.
A typical program is designed around a group learning format for up to 30 professionals. The "class" meets in an all-day format onsite at the client's facility or on the Drake campus in our adult learning classroom on a schedule designed to meet the needs of the client. Parking, food, and other amenities are provided. The length of programs can vary between one or two consecutive days up to 25 or more days unfolding over a period of months. Many programs run between 5 and 15 days, occurring over a 2-3 month period. In some cases, a customized program can be designed to provide a jumpstart into a Zimpleman College of Business graduate degree, such as the MBA or MPA degree program.
Examples of tailored subject areas customized for the client include:
- Business Leadership Certificate
- Nonprofit Leadership and Administration
- Public Sector Management
- Health Leadership and Management
- Marketing
- Strategic Planning
- International Business
- Grant Writing and Management
- Communication
- Conflict Management and Negotiation
We are pleased to discuss the learning needs of your organization with you.
The CPM designation is held by 950 leading public sector professionals in Iowa and is the professional credential of choice for public sector leaders. Drake utilizes a practice-focused approach that emphasizes the practical application of theory to improve effectiveness while meeting the challenges of today's public organizations.
CPM is pursued as a unified learning group (cohort) of 25 professionals who meet 2-3 days each month over 18 months utilizing a mix of on-campus or virtual sessions. A new "cohort" of learners is launched twice each calendar year. See the "Schedules" heading below for details.
We are certain you will find the Iowa Certified Public Manager® Program a positive and rewarding experience that will enhance your professionalism and strengthen your organization. CPM is facilitated by The Zimpleman College of Business at Drake University in partnership with the State of Iowa.
Our programming for the 2026-2027 calendar is currently being updated.
Whether your needs touch a few employees, the whole enterprise, or you, the individual, we welcome the opportunity to partner with you to reach your goals.
For more information, please contact Lance Noe, director of the Center for Professional Studies, at 515-271-2008 or lance.noe@drake.edu.