With a concentration in Local Government Management, you’ll understand the unique challenges facing cities and population centers—and how to address them with creativity, integrity, and professionalism. You’ll be able to make substantive improvements at the local level, bringing solutions to where people live. This comprehensive curriculum is just part of why we're ranked #8 in local government management by U.S. News & World Report.
4Local Government Management MPA students (Spring 2021)
#8Local Government Management program
You’ll build a broad set of skills, including delivery of urban services, policy issues and analysis, management skills, effective communication, values and ethics. Specific topics include human resources management, planning, labor relations, government finance, and operations management.
You'll begin by mastering the fundamentals reflected in our MPA program’s core competencies. These five courses (15 credit hours) will give you well-developed analytical skills and a broad understanding of policy issues and government processes. You'll then build on this foundation with three other required courses specific to Local Government Management.
The remainder of your course work (9 credit hours) will come from a range of elective courses. These will allow you to tailor your Local Government Management program to your own specific interests. Advanced elective subject areas include:
Combining your Local Government Management concentration with another MPA concentration can offer you unique advantages in pursuing a particular career. As they help you design your program, our faculty will work to accommodate your specialized professional interests.
The above are examples of your course options. For a complete listing, see the official Indiana University Graduate Bulletin and work with your advisor as you make your schedule.
Our MPA offers far more than traditional lectures and lessons. You’ll also get the benefit of experiential learning—typically through an approved internship. What’s more, your concentration’s course work will culminate in a project-oriented course—a Capstone—that lets you apply the knowledge you gained throughout the program.
Clinical Associate Professor
Senior Lecturer
Deputy County Manager, Ramsey County, Minnesota
“From budgeting to strategic planning to managing people and projects across a large organization, I rely upon the skills and professional relationships developed at O’Neill to drive and sustain progress throughout my work.”
Budget Analyst, City of Aurora, Colorado
“I started my fellowship position the summer after graduation and have since been hired on as a financial analyst in the Office of Budget and Financial Planning at the city. I … am constantly reminded of my professors at O’Neill who shaped how I think about public policy—and my cohort who inspired me to pursue a career where I believe I can make the biggest difference.”
Manager of Talent and Education, The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, Indiana
“Keep an open mind when serving the public good. There are many nonprofit/public sector positions out there that may not be changing the world, but they are making the neighborhood a nicer place to live.”
