In-person residencies | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

In-person residencies

Immersive weekends that bring leadership and community to life

The Online Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program includes two required residential weekends in Ann Arbor. These immersive experiences are anchored in your coursework and designed to help you strengthen practical skills, deepen your learning, and connect with the Ford School community.

What to expect

Each residency weekend runs from Friday morning through Sunday afternoon and combines classroom learning, leadership workshops, and networking opportunities. These weekends are carefully designed to give you space to practice, reflect, and grow as a public leader.

  • Length: 2.5 days (Friday morning through Sunday afternoon)
  • Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
  • Participation: Attendance at both residential weekends is required as part of the program’s curriculum
  • Travel & Meals: Students are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from Ann Arbor, booking accommodations, and paying for any meals not covered by the program. Reserved hotel blocks will be available at a discounted rate, and many meals will be provided
A person in a brown cardigan stands and gestures with their hands in a warmly lit room, while others sit nearby.

 

Residency dates

The residential weekends you attend are determined by your start date; you must attend the dates specific to your cohort.

Winter 2026 cohort: The first residency is January 30–February 1, 2026.

Fall 2026 cohort: The first residency is October 2–4, 2026.

 

Integrated with Core Coursework

The residency experiences are intentionally integrated into the Online MPA curriculum. Across two core courses, students develop the leadership presence, communication strategies, and persuasive capacity required to lead in complex public affairs environments.

  • This course helps you build and refine the leadership skills needed to shape today’s multifaceted policy environments. You’ll learn how to set direction, engage stakeholders, and lead with authenticity across differences.

    • Work with an executive leadership coach
    • Reflect on your leadership identity and goals
    • Practice strategies for navigating change in complex systems
    • Participate in team-based simulations and peer feedback

    Note: This course is part of the program's first residency experience and is taken in your first semester.

    This course strengthens your ability to communicate effectively and ethically in complex public affairs environments. You'll explore how people form beliefs, interpret information, and respond to persuasive messages—and what that means for leading and communicating in today's information landscape.

    • Examine how identity, ideology, and group dynamics shape public opinion
    • Understand how people make judgments under real-world constraints
    • Analyze how media, messaging, and framing influence policy support
    • Practice designing communication strategies grounded in evidence and ethical judgment

    Note: This course is part of the program's second residency experience and is taken in your second semester.

 

The residential weekends are a distinctive part of our program. Working with an executive coach, participating in team-based simulations, and reflecting on your personal approach to leadership gives you a chance to put what you’ve learned into action. These experiences are designed to help you build confidence, develop practical skills, and prepare for leadership in public service.

Liz Gerber, Faculty Director, Online MPA Program

Connection, Community, and Context

The residential weekends are a defining feature of the Online MPA experience. More than an extension of the classroom, they create dedicated space for reflection, relationship-building, and professional growth—anchoring your online learning in a shared, in-person experience.

During these immersive weekends, you will:

  • Build meaningful, lasting relationships with faculty, staff, and fellow students
  • Deepen your professional network within the Ford School and the University of Michigan
  • Engage directly with the culture, values, and practice of public service leadership
  • Step away from daily demands to focus fully on your development as a public affairs leader

Together, these weekends transform online learning into a shared, immersive experience that strengthens both your skills and your sense of belonging.

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