In this course, Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) board members will learn what MPOs are, how they came to be, how funding decisions are made, why regionalism matters, what decisions board members are responsible for, and how to be an effective and engaged board member.  Course content is up to date through September 2026.

At the end of this course, you will be familiar with:

• History of urban challenges that led to the creation of MPOs
• What an MPO is and the difference between TMA and non-TMAs
• The importance of regionalism
• MPO Core Products: Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), Public Participation Plan (PPP), Metropolitan Transportation Plan, and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
• Additional MPO responsibilities
• The board’s formal roles
• What the board votes on
• The numerous MPO partner agencies
• Why federal finding flows through the MPO
• The different sources of funding and funding programs
• Fiscal constraint
• How to prepare for board meetings: reviewing materials, understanding what's being voted on, and asking the right questions
• Why a seat on the board matters to the region's future

Credentialing

Upon completion of this course, you will receive an MPO Institute Certificate; each course has a unique expiration date. Reference the Completion Rules at the bottom of the course content overview for the length of certificate.

AICP Planners may also claim credits through the APA for this course. This course qualifies for 2CM Credits.

Recommended Pacing | 2 Hours | Modules approx. 15-25 minutes each

This course is self-paced with 24/7 e-learning access, meaning you can take it at any time while the course is open. There are four modules in total, meaning this course can be covered in approximately two hours. Purposely designed for busy Board members.

Recommended Learners

This short course is primarily designed for board members but is open to anyone interested in metropolitan transportation planning. You do not need to work for or with an MPO to register for this course. However, this course is specifically built with the following audiences in mind:

• MPO Board members
• MPO Committee members
• MPO Planners and Admin staff who work directly with Board members

Disclosure

All purchases are final. You will have 180 days (~6 months) after registering to complete this course. If you do not complete it within that timeframe, you will automatically be unenrolled and lose access to materials. If you complete the course within that timeframe, you will receive your certificate upon completion and retain access to the course until the expiration of your certificate. The MPO Institute retains the right to deactivate a course periodically to administer content updates as needed and this may briefly interrupt your access or require you to complete new material.