Continuing Education

Photo of Michael Swack teaching a non-credit class at Carsey

Are you interested in one of Carsey's master's degree programs and want to make sure it's the program for you? We understand and we're here to help!

The Carsey School offers a wide variety of classes from each of our programs every term--check out our courses and take one whenever it is convenient for you. Study alongside practitioners, community changemakers, and policy advocates learning the skills and tools needed to make a bigger impact in our communities. Ready to get started? Let's Connect!

Course Costs & Registration

Courses: A broad range of courses are available each term from the Carsey School. To view which courses are being offered, select one of the links below (click on the term at the top of your window to display courses for: Fall, January, Spring, and Summer Terms):

Permission: Please contact the Carsey School's Admission Specialist & Academic Advisor, Sanjeev Sharma, to discuss the course you wish to enroll in and review any requirements or pre-requisites that may exist for the course.

Registration: Once you have permission to enroll in the course, you can contact the UNH Registrar's Office and ask to register for your continuing education course by calling: (603-862-1500) or emailing (registrars.office@unh.edu). They will assist you with registering for the course (note that you will need to provide your undergraduate transcripts). For more details about registering as a Continuing Education student, please visit the Continuing Education webpage.

Cost: Tuition cost per course for NH residents is $1,650 and $1,815 for students living outside of NH (additional mandatory fees can be viewed here).

Questions? For any questions, please reach out to the Carsey Academic Team.

Example Courses

Students sitting around a table discussing policy and program evaluation

Policy and Program Evaluation


This online course will teach students how to strategically evaluate public and nonprofit programs and policies. Topics covered include evaluation planning, program theory, research methods, data analysis, and the presentation of findings. Students will explore the art of conducting a rigorous evaluation through readings, recorded lectures, online discussion, case study assignments, and hands-on exercises.


Duration: Varies
Delivery: Online
Term: Varies
Curriculum: Fulfills 1 of 3 Required Advanced Core courses in the MPA program (Can also fulfill an Elective course requirement in the MCD or MPP programs)
Course #: PA 804
Credits: 3 Graduate Credits

Public safety officer directing traffic

Public Safety and Community Development


This online course will use a multidisciplinary approach to examine the underpinnings of creating the safe, just and predictable communities that are necessary for sustainable development. Various models of governmental legitimacy will be examined, particularly in light of the international rule of law/access to justice movement and the “defund the police” movement in the US.


Duration: Varies
Delivery: Online
Term: Varies
Curriculum: Fulfills 1 Elective course requirement in the MCD, MPA, or MPP programs
Course #: DPP 962
Credits: 3 Graduate Credits

Three students standing in front of a screen with revenue information projected upon it

Managing Conflict and Change


Change and conflict are inherent in any organization or community and affect personal and group dynamics and effectiveness. This online course will explore the sources of conflict resulting from power and cultural shifts; changes in resources, organizational structure and leadership, and changes in demographics and group composition, and stakeholder expectations.


Duration: 8 weeks
Delivery: Online
Term: Fall E-term 1 (mid-August to early October)
Curriculum: Fulfills 1 Elective course requirement in the MCD, MPA, or MPP programs
Course #: PA 897
Credits: 3 Graduate Credits

Image of a woman's hand writing red text on a white board.

Foundations and Theories of Public Administration


This online course explores the theoretical foundations of public administration and their practical applications. You'll examine early literature that helped shape the field along with a contemporary perspective of public administration.


Duration: 8 weeks
Delivery: Online
Term: Fall E-term 1 (mid-August to early October
Curriculum: Fulfills 1 of 4 Required Basic Core courses in the MPA program (Can also fulfill an Elective course requirement in the MCD or MPP programs)
Course #: PA 800
Credits: 3 Graduate Credits

African American student participating in a training program in a classroom with other students

Human Resource Management in Public and Non-profit Sectors


The purpose of this online course is to familiarize students with a broad range of human resources functions, responsibilities, and expectations associated with the management of personnel within governmental and non-profit agencies through an examination of the administration, politics, and strategies of effective public human resource management.


Duration: 8 weeks
Delivery: Online
Term: Fall E-term 2 (mid-October to mid-December)
Curriculum: Fulfills 1 of 3 Required Advanced Core courses in the MPA program (Can also fulfill an Elective course requirement in the MCD or MPP programs
Course #: PA 813
Credits: 3 Graduate Credits

Michele Holt-Shannon leading a public engagement seminar.

Equity and Engagement in Communities


This online course combines several synchronous sessions with asynchronous learning over a period of eight weeks. Public Engagement in communities requires keen skills in listening and facilitating deliberative processes that are framed with an equity lens. Current and future public leaders need the knowledge and skills necessary for addressing inequities and discrimination in public decision-making.


Duration: 8 weeks
Delivery: Online
Term: Varies
Curriculum: Fulfills 1 Elective course requirement in the MCD, MPA, or MPP programs
Course #: PA 897
Credits: 3 Graduate Credits

An instructor at UNH leading a change management course.

Effective Change Management


This online course explores the growing complexity within nonprofit and public sector organizations and the need for today's leaders to successfully lead their organization in meeting changing demands. Theory and practice related to change and change management are pursued from a scholar practitioner perspective. Students are provided with an opportunity to apply course material to their professional practice as well as explore skills that will assist them in their future endeavors.


Duration: Varies
Delivery: Online
Term: Varies
Curriculum: Fulfills 1 Elective course requirement in the MCD, MPA, or MPP programs
Course #: PA 897
Credits: 3 Graduate Credits

Photo of community medicine instructor talking with students

Community Medicine and Epidemiology


This online course surveys the fundamental principles of epidemiology and its importance as an analytical tool in the fields of public health and policy development to assure the health of populations in the developing world. The student will gain an appreciation for the role epidemiology plays in helping to produce and maintain healthy populations on both a local and global scale.


Duration: 5 weeks
Delivery: Online
Term: Summer Term
Curriculum: Fulfills 1 Elective course requirement in the MCD, MPA, or MPP programs
Course #: DPP 953
Credits: 3 Graduate Credits

Woman sitting at a desk taking the Community Development Finance class online.

Community Development Finance


This online course examines the role of capital in community development – the need for and importance of capital for community development, the nature and limitations of traditional private and public sources of capital, and the policies and institutions needed to increase the availability and effective use of capital for community development. This is a three-credit, graduate level course offered by the Carsey School.


Duration: 5 weeks
Delivery: Online
Term: Summer Term
Curriculum: Fulfills 1 Elective course requirement in the MCD, MPA, or MPP programs
Course #: DPP 961
Credits: 3 Graduate Credits

Note: These courses offered by the Carsey School do not confer Continuing Education Units (CEU) for any accredited program designed for professionals with certificates or licenses to practice various professions.