NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) and the Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) announced a major expansion of the EPIC (Education Propelling into Careers) at MCNY program for municipal employees on Friday, May 16. Initially launched as an innovative pilot program for DCAS staff, the EPIC program will now be open to participants across all city agencies, allowing them to earn their high school equivalency and 27 college credits over the course of four semesters.

 

Following what DCAS officials said was a successful launch earlier this year, the agency is now expanding what they called the groundbreaking initiative to provide professional development opportunities for all city employees.

 

“I am incredibly proud that DCAS is leading the expansion of this transformative program, providing all municipal employees with the opportunity to further their educational journeys and accelerate their career growth,” said DCAS Commissioner Louis A. Molina, who was a former NYC Department of Correction (DOC) commissioner.

 

He continued, “We are removing barriers and demonstrating that city workers do not have to choose between work or education; they can pursue both without limitations. By making initiatives like the EPIC @ MCNY program widely accessible, we are paving the way for new opportunities and ensuring our workforce remains resilient and on the path toward economic mobility.”

 

Meanwhile, Dr. Charles J. Gibbs, president of Metropolitan College of New York, said, “At Metropolitan College of New York, we believe education is not just a path, it’s a promise. EPIC @ MCNY reflects our mission to bring purpose-centered education to those who serve our city.”

 

He continued, “Thousands of MCNY alumni already lead and work within New York City’s agencies, and we are honored to take this initiative to the next level. Our partnership with Commissioner Molina and DCAS has shown that commitment can bring great things to our city. By expanding this program to all municipal employees, we are investing in the brilliance and potential that already exists. This is what true equity in action looks like.”

 

The program spans four semesters and offers both in-person and online classes, with the sessions taking place at MCNY’s lower Manhattan campus. Participants will be granted one full workday per week to attend classes, which will count as a regular workday fully supported by DCAS. The fall semester will begin in September 2025, with students expected to graduate in either June 2026 or June 2027, based on their individual performance.

 

DCAS officials said graduates who complete the program will earn 27 transferable college credits, which can be applied toward an associate or bachelor’s degree at MCNY or other educational institutions. The deadline to apply is June 30 for enrollment in the fall.

 

DCAS officials said the expansion of the EPIC program is the latest in its efforts to help the City’s workforce grow and learn. From the expansion of the EPIC program, to other fellowship and internship programs offered by the City of New York, to DCAS’s partnership with the Municipal Credit Union to promote civil service careers with test reimbursement for New Yorkers, they said all these efforts build on the Adams administration’s efforts to expand municipal work to more New Yorkers than ever before.

 

In November 2024, DCAS announced the latest bridge exam for public safety, a first-of-its-kind civil service exam series that allows candidates to qualify for multiple, critical, public safety positions with a single exam. DCAS officials said it represents a major effort to streamline hiring processes and reduce barriers to economic opportunities.

 

DCAS officials said the agency’s work covers things like recruiting, hiring, and training City employees, managing 55 public buildings, acquiring, selling, and leasing City property, purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for City agencies, overseeing “the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country,” and leading the City’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations.

 

Meanwhile, MCNY is a private, nonprofit college, established for over 60 years, accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Recognized as both a predominantly Black institution (PBI) and a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), MCNY officials said it is dedicated to serving a significant percentage of students of color, particularly from underserved communities.

 

In 2022, MCNY announced the approval of its Pathways to Careers (PTC) certificate program by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Building on the success of the 2021 pilot initiative, Pathways to Success, partially funded by the New York City Council, the PTC program offers students aged 19 and over the opportunity to earn their high school equivalency (HSE) diploma, 27 transferable college credits, and access financial aid along with wraparound support services to help ensure their success.

 

Designed as a one-year program, MCNY officials said it empowers participants to advance their academic and professional goals, transitioning into MCNY’s associate and bachelor’s degree programs or other higher education opportunities. Learn more at www.mcny.edu/pathwaystocareers.

 

The college’s Bronx campus is located at 463 East 149th Street, Bronx, NY 10455.  For more information, visit mcny.edu or call 212-343-1234.