Machon L’Parnasa – Institute for Professional Studies

Machon L’Parnasa Institute for Professional Studies

Machon L’Parnasa is a unique division of Touro, offering associate degrees and serving the local Jewish population. Known as the Institute for Professional Studies, Machon L’Parnasa offers programs on a professional entry level that are in keeping with the University’s mission to address underserved populations. Machon L’Parnasa’s program is geared to the local communities, with flexible class schedules—daytime, evenings and Sundays—designed to meet the particular needs of our student body. Although some students may enroll with limited academic backgrounds, all leave Machon L’Parnasa empowered to compete in the job market or pursue advanced degrees.

Students’ needs are also met via classes that are small and personalized. Machon L’Parnasa provides students the opportunity to study without compromising their religious and cultural values.

The Institute provides academic training in professional fields, with programs that are designed to enhance students’ career prospects while supplying the tools needed for success, including language and literacy, oral communication and quantitative skills.

A key advantage of the Machon L’Parnasa approach is that it offers the opportunity for students to earn their degrees in stages, as their academic skills improve.

A SPECIALIZED EDUCATION With separate men’s and women’s divisions located in Brooklyn, New York, Machon L’Parnasa offers associate degree programs in a variety of disciplines with most students continuing on for a baccalaureate degree

in their choice of major. The administration takes a personalized approach to helping students overcome challenges and reach their career goals. The Institute maintains high academic standards to prepare students to meet the demands of the workplace, while offering flexible schedules to accommodate personal needs.

Many alumni have reported that at the heart of Machon L’Parnasa’s success is the relationship the school’s leaders build with their students. Graduates continue to share career successes with professors and mentors years after they leave and the school’s directors take special pride in their alumni who take their place as societal role models.

AREAS OF STUDY

Graduates often pursue careers in accounting, finance, management, marketing, psychology, special education, speech-language pathology, multi-media design, human services and IT and local area networking. Increasing numbers of students are entering careers in the health sciences and medicine. Machon L’Parnasa is always looking to add programs in fields that meet the current demands of modern society as well as the needs of our student body.

Michael Cohen

Auditor, EisnerAmper

The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic did not bring Michael Cohen to a standstill.

“I graduated from Machon L’Parnasa, went to the school’s career fair and got a great job, passed all four parts of the CPA exam—and my wife gave birth to our fourth child,” says Cohen, now 32.

Until he was 27, Cohen was an assistant teacher in a religious school. But the young father knew his growing family required a larger salary. For that, he needed a college education. Like many other students at Machon L’Parnasa, he had never been in a higher education setting.

Cohen was especially weak in writing and grammar. “I had this professor who was so amazing and helpful,” says Cohen, who lives in Brooklyn with his family. “After my first assignment,” he said,” ‘Mike, this is a disaster!’ We both laughed because it was true. He helped me get better and better. I started with an F and left his class with an A. That’s what it’s like there. Professors are generous with their time and give you personalized help to succeed.”

And succeed he did. Today Cohen, who graduated with a 4.0 grade point average in accounting, is an auditor at EisnerAmper, a Top 20 global accounting firm.

He earned his degree at night, after working full time during the day as a fire sprinkler inspector. “Whatever you want or need to do,” he says, “whatever schedule works for you, this school is flexible and helps you get it done.”