MPA Government at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programme overview

Coursework and requirements for the M.P.A. degree include a minimum of 45 semester hours of credit, a Professional Work Experience (practicum), a thesis substitute, and a final oral examination. These requirements are designed to ensure that each graduate possesses the core set of competencies that supports the M.P.A. program's mission of preparing public service leaders. Electives may include 9+ hours from an optional concentration (see lists below)

Faculty: The Graduate School | Department: Government | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States

What you will study

Coursework and requirements for the M.P.A. degree include a minimum of 45 semester hours of credit, a Professional Work Experience (practicum), a thesis substitute, and a final oral examination. 15 hours of PUBA courses numbered 700 or higher Core courses include PUBA 709 Foundations of Public Administration; PUBA 710 Organization Theory; PUBA 711 Public Service Leadership; PUBA 719 Public Administration Analysis and Evaluation I; PUBA 720 Public Administration Analysis and Evaluation II; PUBA 721 Professional Communications.

Career pathways

Professional Development Plan — Students are encouraged to meet with the associate director of career services and professional development to understand what opportunities would allow them to apply theory to practice, build skills, develop relationship, and understand more about professional organizations. Our graduates go on to lead government, nonprofit, and mission‑driven organizations, strengthening institutions, advancing communities, and improving lives through effective public service.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate School minimum (applies to all graduate programmes): a four-year bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) from an accredited institution completed before graduate study begins and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better; application via the Graduate School online application with transcripts, three recommendation letters, statement of purpose and CV, plus any programme-specific tests/materials; international applicants add a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test score; admission decisions are made by each programme. Programme-specific: All M.P.A. admission requirements can be found on the program website.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants apply for a start term; fall is the main start term. Very few programmes admit new students for spring or summer terms.

Graduate applications and payment must be received by the deadline of the academic programme applied to, which varies by programme; the application closes at 11:59pm Eastern Time on the deadline date. The Graduate School recommends complete applications by December 15, 2026 for full fellowship consideration. The GRE is not required for the Master of Applied Professional Studies.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.unc.edu/admissions/instructions/

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