Metropolitan College of New York

The Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) was founded in 1964 by educational pioneer Audrey Cohen as the Women’s Talent Corp. It was initially created to empower women through education and workforce development. In 1970, the institution was granted a charter by the New York State Board of Regents and renamed the College for Human Services. Over the following decades, MCNY expanded its academic offerings, introducing business programs in 1983 and its first graduate program, a Master of Administration (now Master of Public Administration), in 1988. In 1992, the college was renamed Audrey Cohen College in honor of its founder, before adopting its current name, Metropolitan College of New York, in 2002. In 2012, the college achieved accreditation for its associates and bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and all MBA programs through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, marking a significant milestone in academic recognition. That same year, MCNY reopened its Bronx Extension Center at 529 Courtlandt Avenue, providing local students with convenient access to higher education. By 2016, the college moved to new locations in Manhattan’s Financial District at 60 West Street and in the South Bronx at 463 East 149th Street to better serve its growing student population. Recently, MCNY has faced financial challenges, partly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to plans to sell portions of its Manhattan campus and its 40 Rector Street campus to alleviate debt. Academically, MCNY is guided by Audrey Cohen’s Purpose-Centered Education philosophy, which organizes each term around a specific “Purpose” that shapes the coursework. Students engage in Constructive Actions (CAs), unique projects that integrate classroom learning with real-world applications to improve the lives of individuals and communities beyond the campus. Through its innovative educational model, history of growth, and commitment to applied learning, MCNY continues to serve as a distinctive institution in New York City, preparing students for professional and social impact.