The National Urban Fellows leadership development program selects 40-50 Fellows annually for a rigorous, 14-month, full-time graduate program, which comprises two semesters of academic course work and a nine-month Mentorship and culminates in a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the City University of New York's Bernard M. Baruch College, School of Public Affairs.

Program Elements

• First summer semester at Baruch College
• Nine-month Mentorship assignment
• Final summer semester at Baruch College
• Lifelong development network

The MPA Program – Bernard M. Baruch College
Baruch College has been the academic home of the National Urban Fellows since 1983. Baruch's Master of Public Administration is a 43-credit degree program accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. The curriculum prepares Fellows for leadership roles in public policy and administration in government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Fellows must complete 13 credits during the first semester at Baruch College:

• Computer Workshop (no credit)
• English Workshop (1)
• Introduction to Public Affairs (3)
• Communication in Public Settings (3)
• Budgeting, Accounting and Financial Analysis (3)
• Research Analysis I (3)
• Organizational Management (3)
• NUF Fellowship Journaling Course (3)
• Policy Analysis (3)
• Capstone (3) (*)
• Mentorship (6)
• Public Management (3)
• Economics (3)
• Administration of Nonprofits (3)
• Research Analysis II (3)

Fellows learn contemporary managerial and analytical methods that apply to a variety of program areas.

(*) Each Fellow develops a Master's thesis called the Capstone, a major research project in an area of public policy of importance.

Mentorship
The Mentorship assignment builds on the academic component to enhance professional competence, open new areas of interest and employment opportunities, and offer incomparable working experience with senior level administrators. Fellows work as special assistants to their Mentors and are charged with significant responsibilities. They perform responsibly in managing critical assignments during this core segment of the fellowship. Often, Fellows work on policy and program development, including fiscal analysis and budget impact analysis for state and government agencies.

• Fellows who successfully complete the first semester begin a nine-month assignment with a senior administrator in a federal, state, municipal, or county governmental agency, nonprofit organization, or foundation.
• The needs and interests of the Mentors and Fellows are carefully assessed and matched to provide the best experience for both.
• Placements are nationwide, and Fellows are required to relocate to the city of their Mentorship assignment.

Leadership
National Urban Fellows seeks to develop accomplished and courageous leaders and to prepare these leaders to be highly effective agents of change. National Urban Fellows develops great leaders through education, Mentorship experience, and development opportunities during fellowship and as Alumni. We prepare great leaders in pursuit of social justice and equity to be:

• Visionaries – mission-driven, results-oriented, focused strategic planners with passion, purpose, and integrity
• Relationship Builders – inclusive bridge- and network-builders who inspire a shared purpose, common goals, solutions, and high-performance results with their organization team, partners, and constituents
• Problem Solvers – analytical, financially savvy, creative, and collaborative creators of issue resolutions and decisions
• Systems Thinkers – designers of comprehensive and integrated systems that measure, implement, and deliver quality outcomes
• Communicators – high impact, reflective, and persuasive managers with effective verbal, writing, and listening skills that demonstrate emotional intelligence

Alumni enjoy ongoing personal and professional development. There are over 1,000 multiethnic, multicultural graduates of the National Urban Fellows leadership development program who hold policy making positions as mayors, city and county managers, commissioners, and officers of major nonprofit and philanthropic organizations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Former Fellows often serve as Mentors. Along with the Mentor relationship, the Alumni Network is an excellent resource for post-Fellowship employment.

• Lifelong Alumni network
• Lifelong Alumni development programming to further enhance
  
  
  • Leadership skills
  • Organizational effectiveness
  • Personal development
  • Career management

January	Application Deadline
February	Application Screening/Interviews
March	Selection
April	Fellow Notification
May	First Semester Begins
August	First Semester Ends
September	Mentorship Begins
January	Annual Leadership Conference
May	Mentorship Ends
June	Final Semester Begins
August	Final Semester Ends
August	Graduation