AGA TOPICS Newsletter

AGA Partners with Norwich University to Promote CGFM

A new partnership with Norwich University gives AGA members the opportunity to earn 12 graduate credits and prepare for the CGFM designation at the same time.

AGA’s three government financial management courses that are the basis for preparing for the CGFM Examinations are being expanded by the Northfield, VT-based University for its online Master of Public Administration program.

“We are excited about incorporating the CGFM course materials into our curriculum. It fits our mission to work with professionals, and will be an important step forward in adding value to our program”, said Donal F. Hartman Jr., J.D., LLM, director of the MPA program. He added, “Our curriculum opens the door for AGA members to learn more about management and leadership via the online classroom, which is asynchronous, interactive and capable of bringing a world of online resources to the student. It offers a balanced and proven learning experience that includes case studies, research proposals, written assignments and online discussions.”

The university’s first 11-week seminar will begin Dec. 1, 2008. It will present MPA students an optional concentration in government fiscal management. For people interested only in earning the CGFM, it provides graduate credits that can be used later through in Norwich’s MPA Program should a student wish to do so later. Six seminars, of six credits each, are needed to earn the Norwich MPA, which can be completed in 18 to 24 months. In effect, successful completion of the new concentration provides 12 graduate credits for future use.

AGA’s Intensive Review Course, and the CGFM Examinations themselves, will be administered at Norwich University as part of the required one-week residency conference prior to graduation.

“The advantage for MPA students is that they have the opportunity to earn a recognized professional credential in addition to a degree,” Hartman said.  “It means they have special skills and knowledge. It is also valuable for public service professionals seeking to use financial management principles to improve internal efficiencies as well as to enhance the fiscal health of their organization.”

The idea of a government finance concentration came about during a discussion among the Board of Fellows for the University’s School of Graduate Studies. One of the members is Pete Aliferis, CGFM, AGA’s deputy executive director of Operations and Professional Certification. Aliferis, who is a 1968 graduate of Norwich University, said that in his experience, MPAs exit their academic programs without enough knowledge of government financial management. The CGFM courses were seen as a good fit.

The two-year-old MPA program’s faculty includes former police chiefs, executive directors of public human services and nonprofit organizations and others with vast public administration experience along with knowledge of online learning. All students’ questions are answered in 24 hours or less, and the students work in online “classrooms” of 15 students or less.

“Some of our people may be looking for an opportunity to enhance their professional leadership skills, some want a promotion, some want to teach following retirement from public service,” Hartman said. “A master’s degree opens those doors.” Add the CGFM credential, and opportunities expand even further.

—By: Christina M. Camara