Curriculum

As an MPA@UNC student, your curriculum will feature a variety of learning methods to help you build the competencies necessary to serve as a public service leader. You will be required to complete:

American Government Prerequisite

MPA@UNC requires all incoming students to demonstrate a working knowledge of the fundamentals of American Government. Upon admission to the program, the Director of Admissions will review your application to determine whether you have met the prerequisite requirements. If you have met the requirements, you will not need to take our prerequisite introductory course.

We encourage those students who have not met the requirement to take our Introduction to American Government course. It is free for all enrolled students and will be available upon receipt of your enrollment deposit. MPA@UNC students must fulfill the prerequisite requirement before registration for their second term or they will not be permitted to register for future terms.

Core Courses — 27 Credits

PUBA 709:
Public Administration Institutions and Values
3 Credits
PUBA 710:
Organization Theory
3 Credits
PUBA 711:
Public Service Leadership
3 Credits
PUBA 719:
Public Administration Analysis & Evaluation I
3 Credits
PUBA 720:
Public Administration Analysis & Evaluation II
3 Credits
PUBA 721:
Professional Communication
3 Credits
PUBA 723:
Human Resource Management
3 Credits
PUBA 731:
Public Financial Management
3 Credits
PUBA 760:
Law for Public Administration
3 Credits

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Elective Courses — 15 Credits

The curriculum is complemented by a series of elective courses that allow you to focus on a specific area of interest. Click on the course below to view a full description and course intro video:

PUBA 722:
Federal Policies and Institutions
3 Credits
PUBA 730:
Government and Nonprofit Accounting & Reporting
3 Credits
PUBA 751:
City and County Management
3 Credits
PUBA 752:
Productivity Improvement in Local Government
3 Credits
PUBA 756:
Nonprofit Management
3 Credits
PUBA 758:
Navigating Nonprofit-Local Government Relationships in Organizations
3 Credits
PUBA 764:
Grant Writing and Evaluation
3 Credits
PUBA 771:
Managing Economic Development
3 Credits
PUBA 772:
Mediation Skills for Public Managers
3 Credits
PUBA 778:
Strategic Information Technology Management
3 Credits

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Practicum and Portfolio — 3 Credits Total (1.5 each)

The Professional Work Experience (PWE) practicum and portfolio provide the opportunity to demonstrate and apply knowledge accumulated throughout the program.

PUBA 745:
Professional Work Experience
1.5 Credits
PUBA 746:
MPA Portfolio
1.5 Credits

Learn more about the Practicum and Portfolio.

Immersion Experience – 1.5 Credits

The Carolina MPA Immersion is an optional three-day program that invites online students to visit the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government. While in Chapel Hill, attendees will participate in live classes and workshops that apply concepts to a relevant issue in the public administration field. Additionally, the visit allows students to network with online and on-campus students and program faculty.

At the immersion, students will:

  • Expand their networks and make connections both in and outside the classroom
  • Participate in professional development activities and receive advice from UNC School of Government faculty
  • Become more connected to the Master of Public Administration program and Chapel Hill campus
  • Encounter diverse perspectives on the immersion topic

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Cross-University Courses

You will have the opportunity to enroll in online graduate-level courses from schools affiliated with our technology partner, 2U Inc.

Learn more about Cross-University Courses.