Non-Credit Programs
Pre-College Courses and Activities
Explore your interests, earn college credit, and experience NYC like a university student.
Manhattan University Pre-College courses give high school students a real taste of university life, with hands-on programs across business, the arts, and sciences near the heart of New York City. Choose from one-week non-credit experiences, for-credit courses, and a selective research program, then explore the city through optional activities and site visits.
Manhattan University Pre-College Courses and Activities
Manhattan University Pre-College courses offer high school students a unique opportunity to explore academic interests, gain hands-on experience, and experience university life. Browse our complete list of courses in business, arts, and science below.
One-Week Non-Credit Pre-College Programs
Designed for rising 11th and 12th graders, these one-week experiences introduce students to exciting academic fields through hands-on, interactive learning.
Register for Non-Credit Pre-College Courses
Week 1: Explore Psychology, "Inside the Mind"
Dates: July 6-10, 2026. Theme: Why we think, feel, and act the way we do.
Students explore human behavior through games, experiments, and guided reflection. The week centers on general psychology and how the mind functions when typical thinking, emotions, or behavior become disrupted. Topics include perception, memory, motivation, cognitive biases, emotional regulation, anxiety, and mental health stigma. Students analyze real-world case studies, learn how clinicians assess mental health concerns, and examine how culture shapes our understanding of "normal" versus "abnormal" behavior.
Guest Speaker: Clinical therapist. Site Visit: Museum private tour.
Student takeaways:
- Understand foundational concepts in general psychology and mental health
- Learn how perception, motivation, and memory influence decision-making
- Gain exposure to psychological assessment and case analysis
- Explore potential careers in mental health, clinical counseling, behavioral science, and wellness
Week 2: Marketing & Media, "The Art of Influence"
Dates: July 13-17, 2026. Theme: How ideas become movements.
Students take on the role of creative strategists, developing a marketing campaign from concept to pitch. The week blends branding, storytelling, media psychology, and ethical persuasion. Students analyze why messages go viral, how brands build loyal audiences, and how influence works across platforms. A central project pairs students with a real marketing challenge from a local organization such as a restaurant, small business, startup, or nonprofit, allowing them to design a strategic pitch that addresses a real client need.
Guest Speaker: Digital marketing professional or creative director. Site Visit: Meta, Google NYC, TikTok Creative Studio, or EY.
Student takeaways:
- Build a campaign and pitch it to a business or nonprofit organization
- Learn communication, creative problem solving, teamwork, and client-focused presentation skills
- Understand how branding, media, and consumer psychology drive decision-making
- Explore careers in marketing, public relations, consulting, design, and digital media
Week 3: Leadership & Management, "The Manager's Mindset: Leading People and Projects"
Dates: July 20-24, 2026. Theme: What great leaders do differently.
Students learn leadership through applied decision-making rather than abstract theory. Using real case studies from industry, nonprofits, and social enterprises, students examine how leaders respond to challenges involving conflict, resource constraints, communication, and ethical choices. The week includes team-based simulations where students take on defined leadership roles, manage a short project, and present their strategic decisions. Emphasis is placed on understanding leadership styles, navigating team dynamics, and making informed decisions under pressure.
Guest Speaker: Corporate or nonprofit manager. Site Visit: Nonprofit organization or for-profit corporation.
Student takeaways:
- Apply leadership concepts through case studies and guided problem solving
- Discover personal leadership strengths and communication styles
- Learn fundamentals of project management, collaboration, and ethical decision making
- Explore leadership pathways in business, public service, media, and community organizations
Week 4: Finance & Investing, "Wall Street 101"
Dates: July 27-31, 2026. Theme: How money moves the world.
Students explore finance, budgeting, and investing through interactive trading simulations and real-world case studies. They learn how to think like financial analysts and understand what drives markets.
Guest Speaker: Financial analyst, wealth manager, or fintech entrepreneur. Site Visit: New York Stock Exchange or Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Student takeaways:
- Learn financial literacy and investing fundamentals
- Experience the dynamics of global markets
- Explore careers in finance, economics, and business strategy
Week 5: Coding & Innovation, "Hack the Future"
Dates: August 3-7, 2026. Theme: Build something that matters.
Students learn coding through hands-on, project-based learning in a computer lab environment. The curriculum is designed for beginners with no prior coding experience, while offering optional extensions for intermediate learners. The week focuses on mastering one core skill track rather than surveying too many tools. Students choose one of two pathways and develop a final project over five days.
Pathway options:
- Web Development: Create a simple website using HTML and CSS, with optional JavaScript for interactive features.
- Game Design: Build a basic 2D digital game using block-based or beginner-friendly text coding tools such as MakeCode Arcade or Scratch.
Students learn the full process: brainstorming a problem, storyboarding and prototyping, coding the first version, testing with peers, and presenting their final product. Projects are framed around technology as a tool for solving real-world challenges such as community engagement, sustainability, or education.
Prerequisites: No prior coding experience required. Students should be comfortable typing and navigating a computer independently.
Guest Speaker: Software engineer or UX designer. Site Visit: Meta offices.
Student takeaways:
- Learn foundational coding skills in a specific track (web development or game design)
- Practice design thinking through prototyping, testing, and iteration
- Build a completed digital project and present it to peers
- Explore tech pathways in software engineering
Software and platforms provided in our computer lab include MakeCode Arcade (game design), Replit (HTML, CSS, Python), and Glitch (website building and hosting). A desktop or laptop computer with internet access is provided in our computer lab.
Two-Week For-Credit Pre-College Programs (3 Credits)
Register for For-Credit Pre-College Courses
BUAN 167: AI Essentials for Business Applications
This course introduces students to the practical applications of artificial intelligence in the modern business world. Through hands-on exercises, case studies, and real-world examples, students learn to identify and leverage AI tools to analyze data, automate tasks, generate creative content, and improve productivity. The course also addresses ethical considerations, limitations, and the social impact of AI. Total credits: 3.
MKTG 201.02: Introduction to Marketing
This course provides students with an understanding of modern marketing practice, philosophy, advantage, marketing mix decisions, market segmentation, product positioning, and buyer behavior. Computer simulations and cases are used to demonstrate real-life applications. Total credits: 3.
MGMT 201.02: Introduction to Management
In this course, students gain an understanding of management from historical, behavioral, theoretical, and practical perspectives. Through a critical assessment of the classical and alternative approaches to the discipline, students learn the essentials of leadership in contemporary enterprises in a global environment. Students also develop relevant communication skills that can be applied within and outside the classroom. Total credits: 3.
FIN 301.02: Principles of Business Finance
This course provides an overview of modern finance concepts. Topics include basic finance terminology, time value of money, basic financial statement analysis, the structure and functions of financial markets and institutions, bond and stock valuation, and elementary capital budgeting. Total credits: 3.
Six-Week For-Credit Research Pre-College Program (3 Credits)
Register for For-Credit Research Pre-College Program
Research Pre-College Program
Are you an ambitious high school student interested in business, leadership, innovation, or entrepreneurship? Do you want to build real research skills, work with college professors, and strengthen your college applications? This summer, the O'Malley School of Business at Manhattan University invites you to join a selective, high-impact 3-credit business research program designed for motivated high school students.
What you will experience:
- Work directly with a university professor on a real business research project
- Explore research in one of the following areas: Economics, Finance, Marketing, Management, Accounting, or Business Analytics
- Participate in hands-on workshops and analyze real business cases
- Present your work at a professional Research Symposium
- Earn three transferable college credits
Beyond textbooks, you won't just take a class; you'll conduct original research and present it publicly, learning how business research is tested using real data, real questions, and real-world challenges. You'll also strengthen your public speaking, teamwork, critical thinking, research, and presentation skills.
Who can apply:
- Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
- Students curious about business, entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation
- Motivated learners ready for a college-level academic challenge
This is a competitive, selective program with limited enrollment to ensure personalized faculty mentoring.
Fees: Total cost of tuition is $6,000. Room and board is $1,000 per week with the residential option. Total tuition and room and board is $7,000.
Application deadlines: Applications open December 20, 2025. For domestic participants, the application deadline is May 30, 2026, with acceptance by June 15, 2026. For international participants, the application deadline is March 16, 2026, with acceptance by March 31, 2026. For international participants who require a visa to enter the U.S., you must have a valid B2 (tourist) visa to participate in this program. We do not sponsor visas for this program.
Location: Manhattan University campus, New York City. Format: One-week in-person intensive experience at Manhattan University on July 13-17, 2026, plus five weeks online. Credits: 3 transferable college credits. Duration: Summer 2026, June 22 through July 31, 2026.
Schedule: Each course session runs Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a 12 to 1 p.m. lunch break.