Public Technology Institute (PTI) and the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) have teamed with the University of North Carolina (UNC) Center for Public Technology in creating the nation's first certified government chief information officer (CGCIO) program.
The information technology (IT) area is undergoing massive change in governance and relying more on performance measurement criteria and cloud-based solutions. The new mandate is to seek ways to do more with even fewer resources as never before. Social networking and civic engagement also present new challenges and opportunities.
The high-level executive management CGCIO program was designed to address contemporary IT trends at the city and county level. This program was successfully piloted and deployed first by UNC and second through PTI/Rutgers. PTI is a national, not-for-profit, member-supported organization based in Washington, D.C., providing technology leadership programs for 40 years.
PTI works with a core network of leading local government officials to identify opportunities for technology research, to share solutions and recognize member achievements, and develop best practices that address the technology management, governance, and policy issues that impact local government.
Through its organization and in conjunction with Rutgers University, PTI has developed a national certification program that addresses the following needs:
- Keeping IT professionals current on trends in leadership, communication skills, business, public service, and technology
- Providing technology leaders the skills necessary to participate at the executive table
- Improving quality of work and relationships
- Providing opportunities for peers to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices
- Raising the adeptness of the technology executive
Based upon four years of experience working with training and certification programs at the University of Florida's Florida Institute of Government, and the University of North Carolina Center for Public Technology, PTI/Rutgers has developed its own national program in tandem with the other leading institutions. Working with PTI, these institutions have created a special consortium with the goal of establishing national standards and common recertification criteria. PTI serves as the coordinating and administrative body.
Curriculum
The PTI/Rutgers curriculum covers the following main topics and will be weighted accordingly as to importance and relevance:- Leadership
- IT governance
- Citizen, public, and external relations
- Network security and operations
- Human resource development
- Contract management, purchasing, and acquisition
- Knowledge and records management
- Program Management and enterprise resource planning (ERP)
- Communication technologies
- Financial management
- Energy and sustainability
- Cloud-based solution management
Prerequisites/Eligibility
The following six* prerequisites are required for participation in the CGCIO certification program:- Minimum seven years of private or public managerial experience in the technology field, at least three years of technology management
- Minimum four-year degree from an accredited institution of higher learning
- Agree by signature to a self-enforced code of ethics
- At least one letter of support from manager/supervisor or city or county leader
- Completion of formal application stating why the applicant wants to enroll in this program, what he or she brings to the class, and the student's expectations
- Ability to pay upon acceptance a tuition/registration of $3,500 ($3,000 for PTI members and other special cohort groups). No partial or incremental payments permitted.
*Prospective students may petition the program director for waiver of any of the above requirements. Petitions may include a rationale for the request of waiver.
Class Requirements
Total contact hours required are 240 hours and are categorized as follows: actual classroom time includes live and online instruction; monthly classes online; two hours per month, over nine months (up to 26 hours); and three, eight-hour (3x; 24 hours of instruction) online classes through SkillPort. Material covered during these interactions will include:
- Course syllabus
- Class interactive discussions
- Guest lecturers
- Video and audio presentations and simulations
- Group and individual projects: 15 hours x 9.5 months = (142.5 hours)
- Post-work following class sessions
- Reading assignments throughout the year
- Capstone project discussion
- Capstone project: 30 hours
A major project (topic to be preapproved) that delves into an action research project, or case study leading to a solution or remedy regarding a technology/leadership issue. Capstone projects usually are at least 25 pages in length and are to adhere to APA style formatting.
Cost of Program and Other Requirements
- Certification fee $3,800 per person/$3,300 for PTI members (cohort group discounts may apply)
- Application
- Complete CGCIO certification application, and return to PTI
- Cohort classes must have a minimum of 15 students and a maximum of 20
- Complete, sign, and have sponsoring organization validate when appropriate
- Submit check or credit card payment by class start date
Certification
Upon successful completion of all requirements based on
class work, attendance, participation, and the capstone project, as well as other
special assignments, candidates will receive a framed certificate
bearing the names of PTI and Rutgers University. Because career paths can
rapidly change, PTI has expanded the CGCIO program to allow graduates to be designated
as either a Certified Government CIO or Certified in Government Technology
Leadership.
Recertification
Certification is for a three-year period from date of
certification. In order to maintain the CGCIO certification, students must earn
60 credit hours (average 20 hours per year). Credits for recertification can be
earned by attending approved local, regional or national seminars and
conferences, writing articles, mentoring, public speaking, ongoing training,
attending webinars, etc
Attendance
Attendance at all sessions is required in order to complete
the certification course. A student who misses any part of the program has two
options: repeat the course or missed class at another time, or, at
the discretion of the program director, a student may be allowed to make up for
a class by writing a minimum 10-page paper on each and any missed topic.
Online Postings
PTI has developed a specialized web-based learning
management system. This website is the place where students can receive the
latest course information, special assignments, grades (when appropriate)
readings, articles, and videos for viewing and or downloading.
Course Changes
PTI/Rutgers reserves
the right to make changes to the program aimed at improving both content and
delivery at any time.
Required Readings
The main textbook is CIO Leadership for Cities and Counties--Emerging Trends and
Practices. Additional readings, exercises, videos will be required and/or
referenced throughout the course.
For More Information
Public Technology
Institute (PTI)
Alan Shark, DPA
Executive
Director/CEO, Public Technology Institute
ashark@pti.org
http://spaa.newark.rutgers.edu/cgcio
