Manhattan University Pre-College Courses and Activities

• Week 1: Explore Psychology “Inside the Mind”
  Dates: July 6–10, 2026
  Theme: Why we think, feel, and act the way we do
  
  

  Experience Highlights:
  Students explore human behavior through games, experiments, and guided reflection. The week centers on both 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
  
  Experience Highlights:
  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 students 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 busines 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
  
  Experience Highlights:

  Students learn leadership through applied decision-making rather than abstract theory. Using real case studies from industry, nonprofits, and social enterprises (including select cases adapted from sources such as Harvard Business School), 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
  
  Experience Highlights:
  Students explore finance, budgeting, and investing through interactive trading simulations and real-world case studies. They’ll 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
  
  Experience Highlights:

  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 (e.g., 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

  Materials Needed: 

  • Software and Platforms (provided at our computer lab):

  1. 1. • MakeCode Arcade (game design)
        • Replit (HTML, CSS, Python)
        • Glitch (website building and hosting)
          

  • Hardware (Provided at our computer lab)
    • Desktop or laptop computer with internet access

  1.  

• 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 will learn to identify and leverage AI tools to analyze data, automate tasks, generate creative content and improve productivity. The course will also address ethical considerations, limitations, and the social impact of AI.

  Total credits: 3

• MKTG 201.02 - Introduction to Marketing

  This course provides the student 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 will 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 of contemporary enterprises in a global environment. Moreover, the student will 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

Sample Activities