Recently, I had the opportunity to tour Hofstra University, a dynamic institution practically in my own backyard. Hofstra has made a name for itself in many areas, including its musical theater major, benefitting from its proximity to New York City. Hofstra University offers an impressive selection of 175 majors, including many dual-degree programs. These programs are ideal for students looking to accelerate their education and career paths.
Hofstra emphasizes small class sizes, ensuring personalized attention for all students. The university also offers robust academic support through Student Access Services. Two fee-based programs cater specifically to students seeking individualized assistance. One of these programs, the PALS Program, is designed to support the transition from high school to college. PALS offers one-on-one guidance with a learning specialist. Students receive help with organization, time management, and accessing resources. This extra supports costs $8,000 for the first year, and $5,500 for each subsequent year. This commitment to academic success helps students feel confident and supported as they navigate their college journey.
This tour focused on the undergraduate business school and health care majors, both of which include modern facilities, and innovative resources to help students thrive in their academic and professional pursuits.
The Zarb School of Business: High-Tech, High-Touch, and Deeply Connected
The Zarb School of Business is a highlight at Hofstra University, setting itself apart with its focus on adaptability in today’s ever-changing business world. Their philosophy—High Tech, High Touch, and Deeply Connected—is evident in every aspect of the program:
- High-Tech: Students gain access to cutting-edge business labs, including:
- Behavioral Lab: Equipped with cameras, voice and facial recognition technology, and adjustable settings to study consumer reactions and behavior.
- Cybersecurity Innovation and Research Center: Students can track cyberattacks in real time, and learn how to identify and prevent digital threats.
- Trading Lab: The largest academic trading lab in the country, featuring 35 Bloomberg Terminals. Students become Bloomberg Certified and gain hands-on experience managing real investments through the competitive Student-Managed Investment Fund, worth $500,000.
- High-Touch: Students enjoy practical, hands-on experiences starting as early as their first semester, working directly with real companies to solve business challenges.
- Deeply Connected: With a dedicated alumni base—including a recent $35 million gift from an alumnus—students benefit from mentorship, networking, and career support.
Notable Highlights:
- Salary: The current starting salary for new Zarb graduates is an impressive $87,000.
- Core Skills Lab: The school’s Core Skills Lab uses virtual reality to help students build confidence, practice public speaking, and reduce anxiety. Additionally, an AI-powered resume builder helps students craft keyword-optimized resumes for today’s competitive job market.
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation Opportunities: Hofstra encourages entrepreneurial spirit across disciplines with its NYS-Certified Business Incubator. This resource is open to all students—including non-business majors—offering opportunities to pitch ideas to investors and compete for funding of up to $75,000.
- Maker Space: for building prototypes using high tech.
- Local Partnerships: Partnerships with local companies, where students provide solutions to real business problems.
Science and Innovation Center: Real-World Training for Future Healthcare Professionals
Hofstra’s Science and Innovation Center is a remarkable facility shared by the School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies and the School of Engineering. This space provides immersive, hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for real-world healthcare settings.
Key features include:
- 12 Physician Exam Rooms: Nursing students practice clinical skills using audio and video recordings for detailed feedback and evaluation.
- 8-Bed Emergency Department: Students learn essential skills like taking blood pressure, managing multiple patients, and isolating contagious patients.
- 6 ICU Rooms: Students train with high-tech mannequins capable of sweating, bleeding, speaking, giving birth and even seizing.
- Operating Room: Simulations allow students to practice surgical skills in a realistic environment.
- Northwell Health: Hofstra has a significant partnership with Northwell Health, providing opportunities for students in health and science-related fields to learn from industry leaders and to gain internships that lead to employment.
- Direct Admit: The only direct-admit programs at Hofstra are Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, both of which are highly competitive, accepting 100 new nursing students per year.
Located on Long Island, Hofstra provides the perfect blend of personalized education, real-world experience, and state-of-the-art technology to prepare its students for success. My tour of Hofstra University left me impressed by the university’s commitment to academic excellence, career readiness, and hands-on learning. Whether through the cutting-edge labs in the Zarb School of Business, the advanced healthcare simulations in the Science and Innovation Center, or the personalized support provided by Student Access Services, Hofstra stands out as a place where students can thrive.
