Founded in 1964 by educational pioneer Audrey Cohen, Metropolitan College of New York offers students a chance to apply their classroom learning to the workplace as part of its unique Purpose-Centered System of Education. Developed by the College, this system prepares students for the challenges of the global, information and service-centered economy, which employs more than 80% of the American work force.

Purpose-Centered Education responds to the questions: What must professionals be able to do? How can they prepare for demanding and changing roles? And how can an innovative academic curriculum best be utilized in today's competitive marketplace? Metropolitan College of New York has reinvented higher education to reflect the needs of this ever-changing economy. Our graduates pursue careers in such areas as banking, child welfare, community affairs, corrections, counseling, early childhood education, finance, gerontology, government, administration, human resources, and law. They also pursue careers in management, marketing, personnel administration, psychology, public administration, public health, social work, student services, media management, web site design and management, film, television, media consulting services and other electronic communications management.

Over a 3-semester calendar year, the College enrolls approximately 2,500 students. The College is approved for the training of veterans and other eligible persons by the New York State Education Department and is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Students are able to work full-time while pursuing their studies full-time. This becomes possible because of the strong educational relationships the College develops with students' employers. These relationships enable students to use the workplace to complete a required component of the curriculum. For students who are not employed, the College's Office of Career Services will develop a challenging internship site.