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Start at UNC, Serve Anywhere

Government, nonprofit, and private sector employers seek out UNC MPA graduates because of our outstanding reputation and expertise in leadership, management, policy implementation, and analysis.

Graduate Outcomes

Job placement

100%

New job, promotion, or salary increase

91%

Job satisfaction

96%

Based on 2022—2023 academic year outcome survey

UNC MPA is ranked among the nation’s top 25 public affairs schools by U.S. News & World Report.

World-Class Faculty

UNC MPA faculty members share a commitment to engaged scholarship. They are renowned experts in various public sector fields—from leadership and performance management to cybersecurity and finance. Our faculty includes editors of prestigious journals, advisors to state legislators and members of Congress, and leaders of state-level departments.

18 lead faculty members
50+ faculty publications annually
15,000 public officials advised by faculty annually

Contact Us Today

Contact us today to begin preparing for a satisfying career in public service.

One Program, Two Formats

There are two ways to earn your MPA from UNC Chapel Hill.

On Campus

Full-time, two-year format with daytime classes and a cohort experience.

Online

Full- or part-time, live online evening classes and asynchronous work on your own.

The skills gained through our curriculum allow graduates a wide range of career opportunities across interest areas and sectors, including:

  • Economic/Community Development
  • Education
  • Emergency Management
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Federal/State/International Affairs
  • Local Government Management
  • Nonprofit Administration
  • Public Health

Tuition & Scholarships

The UNC MPA online format now offers reduced tuition for North Carolina residents. All non-residents and on-campus students receive program support through scholarships or assistantships.  

About the UNC School of Government

The UNC MPA program is housed within the UNC School of Government. Founded in 1931, it is the largest university-based local government training, advisory, and research organization in the United States. The MPA program’s affiliation with the School of Government allows students to work directly with expert faculty who educate and consult with local and state officials daily throughout North Carolina and beyond. Faculty members bring that experience back into the classroom, where students gain experience grappling with many of the same complex and interdisciplinary challenges they will face in their public service careers. 

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