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Wake County employees can now earn an advanced degree for free through East Carolina University’s online Master of Public Administration program.
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After researching programs across the state and country, Wake County went with ECU, located in Greenville, for the partnership. The partnership also includes employees of Apex, Knightdale, Rolesville and Wake Forest.
The online MPA is a two-year program that focuses on the theories, research practices, and analytical techniques used by public agencies like Wake County. Students learn “practical and problem-solving skills and emphasizes public service values — including efficiency, effectiveness, equity and accountability,” according to Wake County spokesperson Kate Maroney.
Tuition, fees, and books will all be taken care of for employees interested in the degree. Fees cover events like a winter symposium and a networking breakfast. Any other expenses are the students’ responsibility.
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“We researched eMPA programs across the country to find one that best met our needs and the needs of our employees,” Maroney told The News & Observer in a statement. “Some of the criteria we considered were costs, class flexibility and schedule, experience with cohort-based models and program rigor. After examining multiple programs, the program at ECU emerged as the best option.”
Both UNC-Chapel Hill and NC Central, for example, also offer an online MPA degree. As do UNC Pembroke and UNC Wilmington.
Already, the first cohort of the program, 16 students strong, completed its first semester. They’ll take classes through the summer and graduate from ECU in December 2027.
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