CORE/REQUIRED ACADEMY CREDITS
In order to receive the Academy certificate, participants must complete each of the core/required credits plus 18 electives. A participant must attend the entire course in order to receive credit. Each of the required courses will be offered twice during the program cycle. Specific course details such as time and location will be published closer to the planned date of the event. Click here for upcoming events.
Courses marked with an * indicate that these courses are available for required credits for participants in the Advanced Certification Program. Three of the four specified required credits must be completed by participants in the Advanced Program to be eligible for graduation.
- Innovative Approaches To County Government
This course examines national, state and regional trends that affect counties. Participants will examine the movement away from solely traditional roles by looking at county structure; legal, fiscal and political roles; and sources for information and assistance.
- County Functions And Responsibilities (Pennsylvania Specific)
This course looks at the structures, functions and responsibilities of counties in Pensylvania including the formation of counties, structure of counties, the County Code, human services, criminal justice, general administration, boards and commissions, and home rule and optional plans.
- County Financial Management*
This course provides guidance for participants to better manage their county's fiscal affairs. Topics to be covered are revenue sources, budget and accounting, bookkeeping and auditing, and fiscal management techniques.
- Personnel And Labor Relations*
This course looks at the personnel issues that counties face including federal and state personnel laws, management techniques and labor relations by reviewing recent case studies.
- Leadership, Management And Decision Making
This course draws upon the experience of successful leaders to illustrate and tech leadership, management and decision making skills. Topics to be covered include various management and leadership styles, handling controversy, meeting management, information management and effective communications.
- Legal Issues*
This course emphasizes legal matters unique to counties, including the relationship of the county with the courts and other agencies and other legal matters. It includes discussion of current case law.
- Risk Management*
This course looks at insurance and risk management in counties including loss control, insurance coverages, safety committees, limiting liability, handling claims and defending a lawsuit.
- Personal Development
A variety of personal development courses to enrich the participant's communication and interpersonal skills will be offered.
ELECTIVE ACADEMY COURSES
Academy participants need 18 elective credits, along with the completion of the eight required credits, to be eligible for graduation. Electives will be offered as individual workshops and conference breakout sessions (Spring, Annual and Fall CCAP conferences as well as the County Administration conference and select CCAP workshops). Click here for event updates.
Participants in the Advanced Certification Program must obtain 10 elective credits as of their initial Academy graduation (plus three specified required courses) in order to be eligible for graduation.
Elective course topics may include, but are not limited, to the topic areas below.
- Human Services
- Media Relations
- Tax And Assessment Issues
- Writing Skills
- Business Etiquette
- Time Management
- Public Speaking
- Managing Effective Meetings
- Capital Improvements
- Conflict Resolution
- Economic Development Budgeting