• Log in: https://courseplanner.mpa.unc.edu (ONYEN required)
• Select “Recommended Plans” from toolbar
  • Select your intended start term (defined by the term you plan to start taking classes)
  • Select the recommended plan option that best aligns with the timing of how you intend to pace through the program

• Gray – Completed course!
• Yellow – Course in progress
• Green – Course successfully planned
• Blue – Course not planned
• Pink – Indicates there is an issue (pre-requisite not met or course not offered that term)

• We highly encourage you to start your planning process by choosing a “Recommended Plan.”
• Once you indicate your start term (defined by the term you plan to start (or already began) taking classes), we customized recommended plans that will populate with how we advise you to sequence classes based on the timeframe in which you plan to complete the program.
• Recommended plans will move all core courses and elective placeholders into the term-by-term planner. From there, you can move them around how you would like.
• Elective placeholders are just that: they let us know how many students plan to take electives during that term so we can plan accordingly. When electives are added to the system prior to a term opening, you can then add specific electives to your planner (see “Add Electives” below).

• Want to try out different plans? No problem: build a plan and click on the Saved Plans button on the navigation bar and then click on the green Save Current Plan button. You will then be prompted to name your specific plan.
• There are no limits to the number of plans you build; however, please ensure that you have your current preferred plan loaded to make sure your information is captured for the program’s planning purposes.

• The recommended plans include elective placeholders. Elective placeholders are just that, they hold places in the terms where it is advised to take electives based on the recommended plan you have selected.
• You can replace those elective placeholders with specific electives approximately one to two terms in advance when we populate the electives we plan to run for future terms.
• To add specific electives, choose an elective from the “Add Electives” feature and click the “+” to add to your plan. Then place it on your plan in the term you plan to take it. To remove planned electives, click the small “x” by the course and use the trash can to remove it completely.
• If you have transfer credits from another graduate program, those will populate in your course planner in the term they were approved by The Graduate School.

• This clears anything you have planned, allowing you to start from scratch. It’s very useful for creating alternative plans to see how it would look.

Who can use the Course Planner?

All MPA students in both the on-campus and online formats may use this tool. We see particular benefit for students who may need to tailor their course plan to their particular schedule.

How do I start my course plan?

Students are encouraged to select pre-set course plans based on the length of time in which they would like to complete the MPA degree. These plans will look familiar, as they are modeled after previous worksheets. Students may then move around courses or start from a blank slate. Previously completed courses will be preloaded from ConnectCarolina into the Course Planner.

Is there a way for me to see the tool in action?

Yes. Use these video demos to see how to utilize the Course Planner.

Do I still need to register for classes in ConnectCarolina?

Yes. This tool assists you in future planning, but it does not register you for courses. You must check that courses meet the needs of your particular schedule and register for them in ConnectCarolina as usual.

Does filling out the Course Planner ensure I have a seat in my preferred classes?

Our hope is that, when all students keep their course planners up-to-date, we will be able to offer enough seats. Course availability cannot be guaranteed, and timely enrollment is still critical.

Can I save my plan or make more than one plan?

Yes to both! The course planner allows for multiple saved plans. It is important that you make sure that your current preferred plan is “loaded” in the system so the program can use that information for section schedule planning purposes.

I waived PUBA 760 (or another course). Will the course planner show that?

Not automatically, but work with Elizabeth Langefeld for an override. Keep in mind that you’ll still need 45 credit hours!

Help! There’s a problem with the courses displaying in my Course Planner.

Schedule an appointment with Elizabeth Langefeld to look at it more closely.