MPA Immersion (PUBA 744) | UNC MPA Student Intranet

Immersion Experience

Bridging Theory and Practice

The MPA Program’s Immersion Experience connects theoretical concepts to everyday practice in an in-person intensive 3-day weekend delivery. Online and on-campus students participate in an academic course (PUBA 744) taught by an MPA faculty member that culminates in a three-day seminar held at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government. The immersion experience focuses on practical and timely issues affecting government and the nonprofit sector.

Making Connections

How do concepts learned in the classroom translate into real-world practice? The MPA Immersion Weekend offers both online and on-campus students the opportunity to make this connection and learn from MPA faculty with expertise in government and nonprofit administration. Course participants and faculty come together at the School for three days to focus on a relevant topic in the field of Public Administration; previous Immersions have addressed local government budgets and issues with workplace diversity. Regardless of the topic, the course spotlights practical and timely issues faced by government and nonprofits.

Course participants will make other connections both in and outside the classroom. Throughout the weekend online and on-campus students can learn from and network with each other and tap into the expertise of other School of Government and MPA faculty as well as expert alumni and other practitioners. Additional programs during the weekend include professional development activities such as drop-in office hours to discuss professional work experiences and academic and career advising by School staff. Participants are also invited to attend the Alumni Networking Event held on Friday evening.

Previous participants have found the experience to be enormously beneficial for a number of reasons. Online students described feeling more connected to the program as a whole and the value of meeting on-campus cohorts and faculty in person. On-campus students observed that the workshop format was compelling and effective and more similar to the instruction the School typically offers to clients and practitioners than other weekend courses. Students from both formats appreciated the opportunity to encounter diverse perspectives on the topic of focus and engage with each other, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Immersion participants earn 1.5 elective credit hours for participating in the course and gain invaluable connections, perspectives, and experiences throughout the entire Immersion program. As there is a different topic each year, the course is repeatable for credit.

Fall 2026

Title: Putting Food on the Table: Government and Nonprofit Approaches to Meeting Basic Needs

Dates: October 8-10, 2026

Faculty: Dr. Maureen Berner

Course Description:

This Immersion will focus on how different institutions, organizations, and individuals work in the complex and multi-layered world of addressing basic needs at the community level. While food insecurity at the local level will be the central theme as a running example, it is only one of the challenges facing households – which also include paying the water bill, keeping the lights on, getting to work or school, and having a suitable and safe place to live. Innovative ideas on how to address these challenges and the collaboration of local government and community-based nonprofit organizations will receive special focus.

Typical schedule

Thursday: