ASPIRA City College

ASPIRA City College, a public, not-for-profit educational institution, boasts a rich history dating back to May 22, 1974. Originally incorporated in Pennsylvania as the Metropolitan Collegiate Center of Germantown and operating as ACT Business Academy, its foundational mission was to provide crucial short-term job readiness training to disadvantaged youth in Philadelphia. This commitment to community upliftment and practical career development has remained a guiding principle, evolving significantly over the decades to meet the dynamic demands of the workforce.

The institution systematically expanded its academic offerings and solidified its reputation. After being licensed as a private career school in 1987, it underwent a legal name change to Metropolitan Career Center in 1992 and earned national accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) in 1994. This period marked a pivotal shift, as the college progressed from awarding Post-Secondary Diplomas to gaining approval in 1998 to confer the Associate in Specialized Technology (AST) Degree in high-demand fields such as Computer Technician – Software and Computer Technician – Hardware. A Web Design Program further broadened its technical curriculum in 2001.

Today, with its lineage continuing under the name ASPIRA City College following its acquisition by the Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) in 2012, the institution stands in the Hunting Park section of North Philadelphia, dedicated to empowering its students. It continues to provide career-focused education, equipping the next generation with specialized technological skills essential for success in today's job market, fostering practical training, and facilitating significant career advancements for its diverse student body.