The application period has closed and we are no longer accepting applications for the Fall 2023 in-person offering. Please apply next June for our 2024–2025 fully virtual offering.

Our flagship course has been available to North Carolina’s public servants since 1954 and has more than 3,700 alumni. This course will give participants a chance to fully understand the roles, rules, and operations of city and county governments in our state while becoming part of a broad network of local government peers to rely on for assistance in the future.

This comprehensive eight-month application program is designed for appointed city and county officials whose responsibilities require an understanding of local government functions beyond individual areas of specialization.

Major subject areas include local government law, organization and management, finance and budgeting, public employment law, planning and regulation development, and 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 functions beyond individual areas of specialization.

Participants Will Gain An Appreciation For The Following

• Legal framework and administrative requirements of North Carolina city and county government.
• How city and county services are organized and provided.
• Interrelation among different activities and/or departments. 
• Building a broader network of local government peers. 

2023–2024 Program Details 

Program

• Review the MCA participation and attendance policy HERE.
• There is an attendance requirement to receive credit for this program.
• In addition to the live sessions; pre-recorded video lectures, exercises, reading, and quizzes are required to be completed prior to the relevant sessions.
• The 2023–2024 session is offered in-person only with no virtual options, no sessions are recorded, no Zoom links are available, and make-up sessions are not available
• If you are unable to attend fully in-person 2023-24, you should delay, and apply to the 2024-25 program which will be completely virtual.

Materials

All materials and assignments will be posted online via Canvas – SOG’s secure online platform. The course will include a digital version of the reference book County and Municipal Government in North Carolina available in Canvas. 

Tuition

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

Class Dates/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., and Thursdays: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Applying For MCA

Are you able to attend all classes?

• Check class dates/times against your personal and work calendars.
• Arrange personal/work coverage to ensure you can attend.
• Vacations, other personal commitments, and work conflicts count against your absence allowance.
• Work with your colleagues, co-workers, boss, friends, and family to schedule appointments and meetings around your attendance.
• See the funding opportunities below and instructions on how to be considered should your unit have a financial need.

Complete your program application (includes the scholarship questions), by 5:00pm, July 21, 2023, using the registration/application link located at the top of the page (available June 1, 2023).

Funding Opportunities 

Scholarships offer partial financial assistance to qualified applicants and their units who would not otherwise be able to attend the Municipal and County Administration program. Financial need will be a major factor in determining who receives assistance. We receive many applications for scholarships. You should have alternate funding secured and ready in the event you are not awarded a scholarship. The below sources are open to qualified MCA candidates.

• Alumni Association of Municipal and County Administration (for county and municipal applicants). 
• James Blackburn III Memorial Fund for Municipal and County Administration (for county and municipal applicants). 
• Ellis Hankins Municipal Administration Scholarship (for municipal applicants). 
• Peter F. Lydens Scholarship for Municipal Employees Endowment Fund (for municipal applicants). 
• Frayda S. Bluestein Scholarship Fund for Municipal and County Administration (for municipal and county applicants).  
• Civic Local Foundation (for all applicants who are also members of the Civic Federal Credit Union or Local Government Credit Union).
  Note that Civic Local Foundation funding must be applied for separately.
  That link is within the MCA program application in the financial need section.
  Allow extra time as they require additional documentation and have a July 21st deadline.

How to apply for funding? Once you begin the program application through the Registration/Application link at the top of the page, be sure to complete the financial need questions which will qualify you for all scholarship opportunities. (Civic Local Foundation funding must be applied for separately. That link can be found within the MCA application in the financial need section).

I’ve Applied- Now What? 

• No need to inquire about your application/funding status.
• Not everyone will be notified at the same time. A colleague could receive a notification before you, especially if they are being considered for funding.
• Everyone will receive notification for the program and funding between August 8-26.
• Once notified, confirm your acceptance into the program by the deadline in our notification email. Seating is limited and a waitlist is normal. We do not hold seats after the deadline.
• Bookmark this course page to remember dates, times, application deadline, and notification window.
• Have funding in place before the notification date and be ready to complete your registration for the program when directed.