For individuals seeking further information on professional city management, CCMF has compiled the following resources for City Management & Urban Policy Education, Public Opinion Research, Informational Websites, and Membership Organizations.
We also enjoyed this PowerPoint presentation, titled “Local Government and the Profession: Where We Have Been and Where We Need to Go,” given by Robert O’Neil at the City Manager’s Department Meeting in February of 2014. Click/tap here to download the slides as a PDF.
Education
The nation’s top five graduate programs in City Management & Urban Policy:*
- University of Kansas
- Cleveland State University
- Northern Illinois University
- University of Southern California
- University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
* As ranked by US News. For the full US News report on graduate education click/tap here.
California’s top five graduate programs in Public Policy:*
- University of California at Berkeley
- University of Southern California
- University of California at Los Angeles
- Naval Post Graduate School
- Monterey Institute of International Studies
* As ranked by US News. For the full US News report on graduate education click/tap here.
Public Opinion Research
The PEW Research Center has published the following studies concerning local government:
- “How the Public Perceives Community Information Systems.” March 1, 2011
- “Public Rejects Variety of Options for Fixing State Budgets.” June 28, 2010
- “With Crisis As Catalyst, State Governors Push Big Changes.” February 20, 2009
Informational Websites
- California Local Government Finance Almanac A source for data, statistics, analyses, and articles on California city and county finance.
- Government Jobs The nation’s leading web site devoted to helping individuals find jobs in the public sector.
- Sister Cities International Dedicated to building global cooperation at the municipal level.
- State and Local Government on the Net A directory of official state, county and city government websites.
Membership Organizations
- California Economic Development Association Statewide economic development organization dedicated to advancing its members’ ability to achieve excellence in delivering services to their communities.
- International City/County Management Association The premier local government leadership and management organization.
- Municipal Management Association of Southern California Non-profit membership organization of local government management professionals located in Southern California.
- Municipal Management Association of Northern California Non-profit membership organization of local government management professionals located in Northern California.
- League of California Cities The leading advocate for the common interests of California’s Cities.