The 2025-2026 MCA program will be completely in-person at the School of Government and runs October 2025 - May 2026. The application period is June 2025. Look for more information spring 2025 regarding dates, fees and how to apply. 

Municipal and County Administration, our flagship course, has been available to public servants in North Carolina since 1954 and has more than 3,700 alums. Course participants learn the roles, rules, and operations of city and county governments in North Carolina and become part of a broad network of local government peers.

This comprehensive application-based program takes place over eight months. Participants are city and county managers, department heads, and city and county officials whose responsibilities require an understanding of the functions of multiple specialization areas.

Major subject areas include:

• Local government law
• Organization and management
• Finance and budgeting
• Public employment law
• Planning and regulation development
• Municipal and county services

Who should apply?

City and county managers, department heads, and other city and county officials whose responsibilities require an understanding of the functions of multiple areas of specialization.

2025-26 dates coming Spring 2025 

• Class meets Monthly, Tuesdays mid morning througth Thursdays mid day from October - May

Additional Information:

• In addition to class, there will be work outside class to be completed, such as pre-recorded video lectures, exercises, small group work, reading, and quizzes.

Materials

All materials and assignments are posted online via Canvas, the School’s secure online platform. You will also receive a digital version of the reference book County and Municipal Government in North Carolina accessible via Canvas. 

Tuition

The 2024-2025 program fee  $4,500 and included your digital reference book. The 2025-2026 fee will be posted spring 2025. Expect an increase. 

Funding Sources 

Scholarships offer partial financial assistance to qualified applicants and their units who would otherwise be unable to attend the Municipal and County Administration program. Financial need will be a significant factor in determining who receives assistance. We receive many applications for scholarships. Applicants will not be offered assistance in all cases, and should have alternate funding secured. The below sources are open to qualified candidates.

• Alumni Association of Municipal and County Administration (county and municipal applicants)
• James Blackburn III Memorial Fund for Municipal and County Administration (county and municipal applicants)
• Ellis Hankins Municipal Administration Scholarship (for municipal applicants)
• Peter F. Lydens Scholarship for Municipal Employees Endowment Fund (municipal applicants)
• Frayda S. Bluestein Scholarship Fund for Municipal and County Administration (municipal and county applicants)
• Civic Local Foundation (all applicants who are also members of the Civic Federal Credit Union or Local Government Federal Credit Union). Civic Local Foundation funding must be applied for separately. That link is available in the financial need section of the program application. 

How to apply for funding

Answer the Funding Need question within the program application. This will put you in consideration for all the above except for Civic Local Foundation. Civic Local Foundation funding must must be applied for separately. An external link will be provided in the program application.

I’ve applied. Now what? 

• Applicants will receive program and funding notifications between August 15 and 30. Not everyone will receive their notification at the same time. 
• You will need to accept and confirm your acceptance by the deadline in the acceptance email.
• Bookmark this page to easily access essential dates, times, deadlines.
• Have funding planned before the notification date, and be ready to finalize payment by August 30th if accepted.