MCA 2023-24 will be in-person. Mark your calendar to apply June 2023
There is no option to attend any portion of the in-person progam virtually

MCA 2024-25 will be virtual. Mark your calendar to apply June 2024. 

Be sure to include the link to this course page on your calendar so you can come back to this site for information and to apply

This comprehensive course that spans 8 months 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 of development, and municipal and county services. 

Who should attend: 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 

Platform: This class will take place fully in-person for the 2023-2024 program. There is no option to attend any part of the class virtually. In-person attendance is required.
**If you are not able to commit to attend fully in-person, you will need to wait and apply to attend the 2024-2025 virtual option. 

Materials: Videos, homework, presentations and other materials will be delivered via Canvas - a secure online platform. Instructions will be provided on how to access and use Canvas before the program begins.

Textbook: The course will include the electonic version of County and Municipal Government in North Carolina that will be available in Canvas for you to download. 

Required: 
Homework will be assigned and be required to complete between class sessions (pre-recorded video lectures, exercises, and reading). 
You will also be required to complete and pass quizzes.
You will also be required to attend fully 80 percent of all in-person sessions at SOG. 
**If you are not able to commit to attend fully in-person, you will need to wait and apply to attend the 2024-2025 virual option.

In-person Format:
This class will take place fully in-person for the 2023-2024 program.
There is no option to attend any part of the class virtually. 
**If you are not able to commit to attend fully in-person, you will need to wait and apply to attend the 2024-2025 virtual option. 

Fees: The 2022-2023 fee was $3750 for budgeting purposes. Expect that fee to increase. Once we finalize the fee, we will update the course page. 

Applications: Look for the application period to open for the month of june 2023. 

Class Dates for 2023-2024: Applications being accepted June 2023

• October 10-12
• November 7-9
• December 12-14
• January 9-11
• February 6-8
• March 5-7
• April 9-11
• May 7-9 

What to Know Before Applying: 

• Check class dates against your calendar, block the dates on your calendar, and if necessary, note any events that are in direct conflict with class and let us know on your application. 
  
  
• Review the Class Attendance/Participation Policy document HERE
  
  
• Complete your program application by 5:00pm July 14, 2023 using the above registration link to apply (available June 2023)
  
  
• If your jurisdiction has a financial need, be sure to apply for a scholarship opportunity. The descriptions of the available funding opportunities are below. All but one may be applied for within the program application process. LGFCU must be applied for separately and sent directly to them. Details are provided in the Funding Opportunities description below. 

• You should have alternate funding in place should you not receive a scholarship. We receive many applications and are unfortunately unable to award everyone. 

• Mark your calendars to monitor your email between August 21-25, 2023 from Susan Hutchinson (hutchinson@sog.unc.edu) regarding your application status and status of any scholarship applications. Have your funding in place and be prepared to accept or decline the invitation to attend the MCA program. You will have a short time window to respond.
  
  
• Notifications will not all be sent on the same day. Everyone will receive a notification of their application status by August 26th. Due to the number of applications submitted, we are unable to respond to status inquiries until the notification period has ended. 
  
• Ready to apply? Click on the registration button at the top of the page to begin the application process. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ONCE YOU'VE APPLIED: 

• There is no need to email asking for a status of your funding or program applications. 
• You will receive emails notifying you of your status between August 22-26, 2023. IF A COLLEAGUE HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND YOU HAVE NOT, DON'T WORRY. NOT EVERYONE WILL BE NOTIFIED AT THE SAME TIME. If you have not received a notification by August 25th end of day, please email Susan Hutchinson at hutchinson@sog.unc.edu
• Notifications will not all be sent on the same day. Everyone will receive a notification of their application status by August 26th. Due to the number of applications submitted, we are unable to respond to status inquiries until the notification period has ended. 
• Bookmark this course page for dates, times, applications deadlines and notifications. 

 Scholarship Opportunities Descriptions and Process

These Scholarships aid qualified applicants and their unit of government to attend the Municipal and County Administration program. If your jurisdiction has a financial need, you are encouraged to apply for scholarships. Please be aware that that we receive many applications for scholarships. You should have alternate funding secured and ready in the event you are not awarded a scholarship. Read below carefully as each application process varies. 

Access the the funding applications is through the MCA program application. Click on the register button at the top of this page to begin the application process for the MCA program and scholarship opportunities.
Deadline for the MCA program application and all funding applications are due on or before 5:00 pm July 15, 2022.

MCA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP (Allow extra time to gather information for this application)
A letter of support from the Manager or Mayor is required with this application. Download and save the application from the link in the funding section in the MCA application. Complete and email the application as directed.
The Alumni Association of the Municipal and County Administration Course is offering financial assistance with tuition to a qualified applicant and their unit of government. Since these scholarships have historically been designed to help colleagues who might not otherwise be able to attend the course, financial need will weigh heavily in the award decision. Other factors that will be considered are the number of individuals in a particular unit that have already graduated from the course and how critical the course is to the governmental unit and the applicant’s future career goals. 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION (Allow extra time to gather information for this application)
A reference letter is required with this application. You must be a member of LGFCU to apply. 
Download and save the application from the link in the funding section of the MCA application. Complete and email the application as directed.
The LGFCU offers scholarships to member local government employees to apply towards tuition for conferences, programs and seminars offered by the School of Government.

JAMES BLACKBURN III MEMORIAL FUND FOR MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATION: 
The James Blackburn III Memorial Fund offers financial assistance to qualified MUNICIPAL or COUNTY applicants who might not otherwise be able to attend. Other factors include how critical the course is to the governmental unit and the applicant's future career goals. 

PETER F. LYDENS SCHOLARSHIP FOR MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES ENDOWMENT FUND
The Peter F. Lydens Scholarship offers financial assistance to qualified Municipal applicants who might not otherwise be able to attend. Other factors include how critical the course is to the governmental unit and the applicant's future career goals.

ELLIS HANKINS MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION SCHOLARSHIP: 
The Ellis Hankins Municipal Administration Foundation offers financial assistance to qualified MUNICIPAL applicants who might not otherwise be able to attend. Other factors include how critical the course is to the governmental unit and the applicant's future career goals.