Cities, towns, parishes, and counties are complex ecosystems that require management from individuals with knowledge of how all the moving parts work together. From transportation to solid waste to commerce to services like police, fire, public works and emergency management, city managers work within the community to make sure everything is functioning with citizens in mind. Professionals in the field may find employment in public service departments, city management, urban planning, law enforcement administration, budget and fiscal management, and as consultants for city and educational leaders, or they may run for public office.
A Master of Public Administration (MPA) with a specialization in Local/City Government Management, sometimes called Urban Management or Urban/Regional Policy and Planning, offers graduates a holistic view of how a city works and how it can function optimally for the greater good of those who live there. [Note] Focusing on community development, ethics, environmental concerns, budgeting, and intergovernmental relations, MPA graduates in Local Government Management gain knowledge and skills that can enable them to act as changemakers, updating and developing public policies to ensure an equitable and sustainable future for citizens.
- Curriculum Details for MPA Programs in Local Government Management
- Instruction Methods for Online MPA Programs
- Admissions Requirements for MPA Programs
- Accreditation for MPA Programs
- Local/City Government Management Organizations
- Directory of Online MPA Programs with a Specialization in Local Government Management
Curriculum Details for Online MPA Programs with a Specialization in Local Government Management
The foundational MPA coursework often has a strong focus on leadership in public organizations, research methods, and public policy. These initial classes are designed to teach students about organizational behavior and human resource management, program design and evaluation, strategic planning and development, and ethics and social justice as it relates to the field of public administration. After completing core coursework, students pursuing an MPA in Community, City, and/or State Government, take specialization courses and/or electives that focus on specific aspects of government management. These may cover topics such as urban housing and development, public financial management, emergency management, intergovernmental relations, and city planning and transportation.
Students interested in online MPA programs with a focus on Local/City Government Management should explore programs with specializations in the following subject areas:
- City Management
- Community Planning and Development
- County Leadership and Management
- Government and Policy
- Local Government Management
- State Government
- Urban Administration and Management
- Urban Affairs and Planning
The average student, enrolled full-time, can expect to complete an MPA program in 16-24 months. While many universities allow up to five years or more to complete an MPA degree, even those enrolled part-time can typically graduate in 24-36 months. Most programs require 36 to 48 graduate credit hours and coursework often includes a combination of theory and practice with hands-on projects and case studies. In addition, students who do not have experience in public administration often must complete an internship as part of the MPA curriculum.
Most MPA programs have students complete a capstone project to finish their degree, where the skills and knowledge they have learned in their coursework is applied to investigate and present a solution to a pressing issue in local government or urban planning. Often, these capstone projects will be done in partnership with a local, state, or government agency to address a real-world problem.
Note: OnlineMPAPrograms.com categorizes MPA programs into different specializations in order to help students find programs that meet their professional goals. An MPA program must offer a dedicated specialization or concentration in an area related to government management to be included on this page.
Examples of Local Government Management Specific Courses in Online MPA Programs
Curricula for MPA programs in Government or Urban Management include courses focused on public financial management and budgeting, urban geography, human resource management, legal issues in public administration, and urban planning and development. The exact curriculum structure and course availability will depend on the individual university. Therefore, the courses listed below and their descriptions should be referenced only as examples.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) : This class provides a firm understanding of how GIS software can aid policy makers and analysts in deciphering geographic data and how to use that data for policy development. Students will generally participate in both lectures and labs where they will work with actual data from case studies.
- Intergovernmental Relations: This class analyzes the relationships between the three branches of government and their processes and decision-making procedures. Students learn strategies to navigate these complex intergovernmental systems and how to support elected officials to influence the outcome of public policy decisions in an ethical and sustainable manner.
- Emergency Management: This course presents analysis of procedures, resources, equipment, and staff available to respond to emergencies. Students explore case studies to learn how first responders and state and local agencies coordinate to respond to emergencies and natural disasters.
- Social Justice and Diversity: This class offers a foundation for students to increase awareness and understanding of issues related to diversity, human rights, and social and economic justice. The course topics include social identities and ally development models, sociological theories that affect social and economic opportunity and equality, and understanding and resolving conflict that may emerge across settings in public policy.
- Urban Housing Policy: This class explores how legislative action, government policymaking, and citizen advocacy influences plans for the investment of public funds in urban neighborhoods. Students explore case studies from successes and failures in urban housing policy to analyze and understand the challenges public officials face when determining how to create affordable and equitable housing plans that include public safety measures, housing initiatives for the homeless, and more.
- Fiscal Management for Local Government: This course focuses on managing, utilizing, and distributing financial resources to achieve city objectives. Students will learn the essential principles of accounting, financial reporting, and building a budget, as well as gain an understanding of assets, debt, taxes, and how revenue is classified.
- Anatomy of a City: This course focuses on the essential systems that operate within a city. Students will examine how these systems function individually and collectively to allow for large communities to reside within a small urban area.
A sample curriculum for a two-year online MPA program with a specialization in Local and City Government Management is outlined below. Specific course titles and the order in which students complete courses varies by institution, so the following curriculum should be used for examples purposes only.
Two-Year Sample Curriculum for an Online MPA Program with a Specialization in Local/City Government Management
| Year 1 | Core Courses:
| Core Courses:
| Core Course:
|
| Year 2 | Concentration Courses:
| Concentration Courses:
| Capstone Seminar / Independent Research Project Concentration Course:
|
Instruction Methods for Online MPA Programs
Online MPA programs offer greater accessibility and flexibility for professionals seeking to further their education. These programs allow students to attend and complete courses virtually from any location, making them particularly suitable for those who do not live near an institution that offers an MPA program. Online programs are also beneficial for students who live near a college or university but are not able to commute to campus weekly for lectures and discussion sessions due to personal or professional obligations.
Most online programs use one of two different types of instruction methods for online students: synchronous and/or asynchronous instruction. Synchronous instruction requires students to attend live lectures via video conferencing software (which are typically held in the evening), while asynchronous instruction allows students to watch recorded lectures and complete coursework on their own schedule (assuming they meet deadlines set in course syllabi). Not all online MPA programs incorporate synchronous instruction into their curriculum, but all programs have asynchronous components. Students who require more flexibility in their schedule should consider programs that mainly use asynchronous instruction. Whereas, students who prefer to meet with instructors and classmates in real-time for a more traditional classroom environment, should look for an online program that uses synchronous instruction.
Online MPA programs offer the same level of rigor and challenge as traditional, campus-based programs, but with the added benefit of flexible scheduling. Even though students do not physically meet in person for lectures and class discussions, online programs provide opportunities for engaging classroom discussions and networking with peers and faculty. Most colleges use a learning management system for their online programs and within the system, students can access their course materials, submit assignments, participate in online discussion boards, attend live lectures and office hours, and communicate with professors and classmates through email. It is important to note that online programs, especially those that mainly use asynchronous instruction, require self-discipline and self-motivation to keep up with course materials in the absence of regularly scheduled class meetings.
Admissions Requirements for MPA Programs with a Specialization in Local Government Management
While admissions requirements vary by institution, all MPA programs require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to be considered for admission. Most MPA programs will accept students with a bachelor’s degree in any field as long as an applicant can clearly express their reasons for wanting to pursue an MPA degree. However, some programs may prefer or give preference to applicants with an undergraduate degree in a related field, such as public administration, business administration, or political science.
In addition to a bachelor’s degree, most universities have a minimum undergraduate GPA requirement (often 2.5, 2.75, or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale), require transcripts from all colleges attended, and may require standardized test scores (most often from the GRE), relevant professional experience, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a resume or CV, and/or an online interview. As each program may have different admissions requirements and prerequisites, students should check the specific requirements for their programs of interest before applying.
Students should note that the majority of MPA programs use a selective admissions process. This means even if an applicant meets the minimum requirements for admission, they are not guaranteed to be accepted into the program. For some programs, the credentials for students who are accepted into the program exceed the minimum requirements for admission.
Accreditation for Online MPA Programs
Accrediting bodies provide students with assurances that the institution they choose meets accreditation standards of quality and that the degree earned will be recognized by other institutions and employers. All programs listed on OnlineMPAPrograms.com have been accredited by one of six regional bodies or the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), all of which are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Colleges and universities can also seek programmatic accreditation for their MPA programs by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), which accredits graduate programs in public policy, public administration, and public affairs in the United States. Acquiring accreditation through the NASPAA is optional and many reputable programs choose to mirror NASPAA recommendations when developing their curriculum in lieu of seeking formal accreditation.
When considering an MPA program, students should evaluate the program’s curriculum, faculty, research opportunities, partnerships with the private sector, and student services in addition to NASPAA accreditation. These factors will provide insight into the quality of education and resources available in the program, and help students make an informed decision on which program will best meet their needs and goals.
Local/City Government Management Organizations and Networking Opportunities
There are several organizations that MPA students and graduates working in government management may want to consider joining. Many of these organizations are geared towards professionals working in various areas of local government. Professional organizations can be a good resource for continuing education, networking opportunities, job boards, and to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and research in the field.
International City/County Management Association (ICMA) — ICMA is an international organization that provides training, technical assistance, and informational resources to local government managers. Offering continued educational and fellowship opportunities to recent MPA/MPP graduates as well as hosting an annual leadership conference, ICMA focuses on cultivating key leadership skills through continued professional development.
National League of Cities (NLC) — The NLC is a national organization that represents the interests of cities and their leaders, focusing on improving quality of life and promoting inclusion. Conferences and meetings held throughout the year provide networking opportunities to members; while blogs, podcasts, newsletters, and online discussion groups offer educational resources and opportunities for conversation among city, town, and village representatives.
National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) —Focusing on community issues including transportation, public safety, local economies, environmental concerns, and community development, NARC is a national organization founded to advocate for regional priorities at the federal level. Regional leaders have the opportunity to attend conferences, share best practices, and foster relationships with others in regional management by engaging in training sessions, workshops, and more.
National Association of Counties (NACo) — NACo is a national organization that represents the interests of county governments. Focusing on issues such as economic development, broadband, public safety, and more, NACo strives to influence national policy in order to benefit local communities. Annual conferences as well as member-led advisory boards, committees, and task forces offer networking opportunities to county-level elected officials and employees.