Applications for the 2026–2027 course will open in June 2026. The 2026–2027 program will be offered virtually from October 2026 through April 2027. See bottom of course page for specific dates.

Looking ahead, the 2027–2028 and 2028–2029 course offerings will be held in person at the School of Government.

Course Overview

Municipal and County Administration (MCA) is the UNC School of Government’s flagship professional development program and one of the longest-running local government leadership courses in the nation. Since its launch in 1954, MCA has prepared generations of public servants to lead North Carolina’s cities and counties with competence, integrity, and confidence. Today, the program boasts more than 3,700 alumni serving across the state.

The Municipal and County Administration program is intentionally structured to guide participants through the core legal, organizational, and operational foundations of local government. Each weekly session focuses on a defined topic area, allowing participants to build knowledge in a logical and deliberate sequence. Many weeks incorporate case studies, scenario-based discussions, and facilitated group work, enabling participants to analyze complex issues and practice collaborative problem-solving. 

Participants will graduate from MCA with lasting professional relationships, practical tools they can immediately apply, and a clearer sense of their role in advancing effective, lawful, and responsive local government in North Carolina.

A complete overview of topics is available under the materials tab, but the core subject areas include:

• Local government powers and functions
• Legal aspects of public finance, including budgeting and accounting
• Land Use, economic development, and community resilience
• Employment law and personnel management
• Leadership management
• Essential services, including human services, public school finance, and public enterprise operations

Who should apply?

MCA is designed for city and county managers, department heads, and other local government officials whose responsibilities extend beyond a single functional area and require a broader understanding of how local government operates.

Tuition: $4,500

Payment Deadline & Scholarship Opportunities

Applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the program and any scholarship awards in mid-August, at least one week before the August 30 payment deadline.

Applicants accepted into the program should be prepared to finalize payment by August 30. A limited number of partial scholarships are available to qualified applicants and their employing units who would otherwise be unable to attend. Financial need is a significant factor in scholarship decisions. Because scholarship funds are limited, not all applicants will receive assistance, and applicants are strongly encouraged to secure alternate tuition funding in the event a scholarship is not awarded.

The following scholarships are available to eligible applicants:

• 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 using the link provided in the “Financial Need” section of the MCA application.

How do I apply for a scholarship?

To be considered for scholarship assistance, applicants must answer the Funding Need question within the MCA program application. This places the applicant in consideration for all scholarship sources listed above except the Civic Local Foundation, which requires a separate application. A link to the Civic Local Foundation application will be provided within the MCA program application.

All materials and assignments are posted on Canvas, the School’s secure online coursework platform. Participants will receive a copy of the reference book County and Municipal Government in North Carolina.

2026-2027 – Course Dates (9:00 - 12:30)

• October 6, 7, 8, 20, 21 
• Nov 3, 4, 17,18
• Dec 1, 2, 3
• Jan 12,13, 26, 27
• Feb 9, 10, 23, 24
• Mar 9,10, 23, 24
• Apr 6, 7, 20, 21