Skip to main content

MPA Concentration

Local Government

Local governments provide the most essential of public services, such as health and safety, transportation, sanitation, environmental, and utilities. Public administrators play a critical role in the delivery of these services and the management of local government organizations in North America and around the world. They hold a variety of professional positions, including chief administrative officer, city manager, staff assistant, program specialist, planner, and policy analyst, just to name a few. Because local governments function so close to the citizens they serve, administrators need special management skills, like citizen engagement and community development. The local government concentration in the UNO MPA program, develops competencies to work in and succeed in this level of government. Opportunities for internships, networking with city administrators, and courses through the UNO Urban Studies program helps round out those skills. Occupational projections show growth in the local government management field. UNO MPA graduates work in local government around the country.

Dr. Robert Blair, Local Government, MPA Concentration, Associated Faculty

associated faculty: Robert Blair

Upon being accepted into the MPA Program, the MPA Program Chair assigns a student to an Advisor based on the concentration/specialization that was selected on the student's application to the program. However, at any point in the program, a student is allowed to change his/her Advisor by corresponding with the prospective Advisor and the MPA Program Chair.

concentration required courses.

In addition to the core courses required of all MPA students, those students who select the public management concentration are required to take the following three courses:

Public Administration

Students in the concentration will select additional electives based on areas of interest. Possible electives are not limited to but can include additional graduate courses in aviation, public administration, urban studies, or emergency management. Students work with their advisors on selecting electives that best meets their career and academic goals.