The application period for the 2023–24 program has closed. We will post more details about the 2024–25 virtual program when applications open in June 2024.

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

2023–2024 Program 

Review the Municipal and County Administration participation and attendance policy here.

• There is an attendance requirement to receive credit for this program.
• In addition to live sessions, pre-recorded video lectures, exercises, reading, and quizzes must be completed before the relevant sessions.
• The 2023–2024 session is entirely in-person; no recorded sessions, Zoom links, or make-up sessions are available. 
• If you cannot attend in person in 2023–24, apply to the 2024–25 program, which will be completely virtual.

Materials

All materials and assignments are posted online via Canvas—The School’s secure online platform—including a digital version of the reference book County and Municipal Government in North Carolina.

Tuition

The program fee is $4,500. This fee includes your digital reference book, electronic materials, morning and afternoon light snacks, and lunch. 

Class dates and times

• October 24–26 
• November 7–9
• December 12–14
• January 9–11
• February 6–8
• March 5–7
• April 9–11
• May 7–9

Tuesdays: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Wednesdays: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Thursdays: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Funding opportunities 

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. Allow extra time as they require additional documentation and have a July 21 deadline.

How to apply for funding

When beginning the program application, complete the financial need questions. The answers will determine whether you qualify for scholarship opportunities. (Civic Local Foundation funding must be applied for separately).

I’ve applied. Now what? 

• Applicants will receive program and funding notifications between August 8 and 26. Not everyone will receive a notification on the same day. 
• You must confirm your acceptance by the deadline in the acceptance email, or you will lose your seat.
• Bookmark this page to easily access essential dates, times, deadlines, and the notification window.
• Have funding planned before the notification date, and be ready to complete your registration.