The UNC School of Government Graduates First Class of Online Master of Public Administration Students

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., May 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The top-ranked Master of Public Administration program at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government graduated the first class of online students on Saturday, May 9. Launched in 2013, MPA@UNC, the online format of the MPA program, was designed with working professionals in mind, offering the accessibility and flexibility of an online education that matches the curriculum and rigor of the on-campus format.

The inaugural class of eight MPA@UNC graduates includes public service leaders from several government agencies, NATO, and the U.S. military. The diverse group of graduates hails from states across the country, including North Carolina, Washington, DC, Florida, and Virginia.

Charlotte City Council Member Vi Lyles, a member of the 1974 cohort of the on-campus format, provided remarks during the School of Government's graduation ceremony. "Congratulations to the faculty and staff for the vision to do an online program," Lyles said. "It's really an important aspect of how we communicate and work today. Having online courses in a way that delivers the quality of the education is quite an achievement."

MPA@UNC is delivered through 2U's cloud-based oftware-as-a-service online learning platform. Students participate in live, face-to-face classes with School of Government faculty, incorporating broadcast-quality video, self-paced lectures, and collaborative activities.

Graduate Amanda Keesee spoke to her decision to pursue a degree through MPA@UNC. "After about a year of government contract work, I realized the value of serving others was missing in my job. The MPA degree truly answered my calling," said Keesee. As a military spouse currently working as a reservist for NATO, an online format was ideal for Amanda. "I'm hoping that Carolina MPA helps me network and obtain experience in local government positions, as my family moves from duty station to duty station. I aim to one day serve as a city manager, building upon the leadership skills I gained through MPA@UNC and learning from faculty and classmates from different backgrounds beyond the military."

MPA@UNC offers students four start dates per calendar year (January, May, August, and September). Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. For more information about MPA@UNC, visit onlinempa.unc.edu.

About UNC School of Government
As the largest university-based local government training, advisory, and research organization in the United States, the UNC School of Government offers up to 200 courses, webinars, and specialized conferences for more than 12,000 public officials each year. The Master of Public Administration Program is offered in two formats. The full-time, two-year on-campus program serves up to 60 students annually. In 2013 the School launched MPA@UNC, an online format designed for working professionals and others seeking flexibility while advancing their careers in public service.

CONTACT: 
Sonja Matanovic 
919.966.4178, [email protected] 

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SOURCE UNC School of Government

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