Metropolitan College of New York is a private, non-profit college focused on the "Purpose-Centered Education" model, in which students immediately and consistently apply their studies to the workplace. MCNY offers bachelor's and master's degrees in Human Services and Education, Business, and Public Affairs and Administration.
MCNY was founded in 1964 by Audrey Cohen. Cohen envisioned the institution, originally named the Women's Training Corps, as a place where low-income women could obtain the skills needed to enter jobs in the human services sector. The institution would also push for job creation to best serve their communities. The school was initially a 30-week, paid training program in which women worked in schools or community agencies as part of their training. In 1969 it began to admit men, and in 1970 it was granted a charter to award associate's degrees. It began offering bachelor's degrees in 1979 and master's degrees in 1988. It was known as the College of Human Services from 1970 to 1992, and Audrey Cohen College from 1992 until 2002, when its name was changed to Metropolitan College of New York.
Today, MCNY offers an accelerated curriculum designed for students already in the workplace. Students are expected to take "Constructive Action" to apply what is being learned in the classroom to their workplaces and use those experiences as the basis for analytical, communications, and writing projects. The college offers a limited array of degrees in the fields of education, human services, business, and public administration. It accepts students with General Equivalency Diplomas and, in some cases, offers college credit for previous work experience.
As of 2021-22, tuition for undergraduates is $9,669.00 per semester for full-time students and $808 per credit for those attending part-time. Graduate tuition is program-dependent and ranges from $843 per credit for those pursuing a dual Master of Science in Childhood and Special Education to $1,038 per credit for those seeking a Master of Public Administration in Emergency and Disaster Management.
MCNY is a commuter school with no housing or meal plans offered. The college's student life offerings include the Student Government Association, community events and workshops, the Black and Latinx Student Organization, and FLAVOR, an LGBTO organization. Both the Manhattan and Bronx locations offer research libraries and staff to assist students in developing critical research skills. MCNY also participates in the Welfare to Careers Program with Pace University and Medgar Evers College, which provides tuition and support to working parents to help them achieve financially-sustaining careers.
86.4% of Metropolitan College of New York students are enrolled full-time. The enrolled student population is 56% Black or African American, 24.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.1% White, 3.2% Two or More Races, and 2.6% Asian. The average age of students is 34.
The college has an active alumni presence in the city, including Gary P. Jenkins, MPA '06, who was recently appointed Commissioner of the NYC Department of Social Services.
MCNY has two branches: one at 60 West Street in Lower Manhattan and another at 463 East 149th Street in the South Bronx. Enrollment is just under 1,000 students.
MCNY is a commuter school, and therefore, no on-campus housing is available to students.
Since MCNY is a commuter school, students live across all five boroughs, many based in the Bronx. Students attending MCNY can consider renting in Mott Haven and Melrose to be close to the Bronx campus. Those with classes in the Lower Manhattan campus should stay along the 1, 4, and 5 trains to reduce commute time. If being close to the subway is one of your top priorities, check out RentHop's subway rent map and see which subway stops are the cheapest to rent.
Metropolitan College of New York boasts over 10,300 alumni. Alumni can be seen across all five NYC boroughs. Thanks to the New York City public transit system, students and alumni alike can choose to live anywhere they'd like.
For people first moving into New York City, check out the RentHop Renters Guide. The guide explains everything you need to know about renting in the Big Apple, from finding your ideal apartment to signing the lease and completing the rental process.