Document:

EXHIBIT 10.19

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

      EMPLOYMENT  AGREEMENT  (this  "Agreement"),  entered into as of January 1,
2004, between EVCI Career Colleges Incorporated a Delaware corporation ("EVCI"),
and Joseph D. Alperin ("Executive").

      In consideration of the mutual covenants  contained herein,  and for other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

      1. Employment; Duties.

            1.1 EVCI hereby  employs  Executive as its General  Counsel and Vice
President for Corporate  Affairs.  In such  capacities,  Executive  shall report
directly to EVCI's Chief  Executive  Officer ("the CEO") and, as is  appropriate
for the general  counsel of a public  company,  to EVCI's  board of directors as
well.

            1.2 As General  Counsel  of EVCI,  Executive  agrees to perform  and
discharge such duties and  responsibilities  as are  appropriate for the general
counsel of corporations  with the financial,  personnel and other resources that
are similar to that of EVCI,  including preparing and filing reports required to
be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other federal and state
regulatory authorities and otherwise dealing with such authorities; negotiating,
drafting  and  closing  agreements  relating  to EVCI's  internal  and  external
operations and activities; and generally advising EVCI's management with respect
to EVCI's compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.

            As Vice  President for Corporate  Affairs,  Executive  shall perform
such duties and  responsibilities  as are assigned to him by the CEO relating to
the  business  and  affairs of EVCI and its  subsidiaries,  including  Interboro
Institute,  Inc.  ("Interboro"),   including  assisting  with  registration  and
admissions  and  performing  such  other  tasks and  functions  as the CEO deems
reasonably necessary and appropriate under the circumstances.

            The general counsel of Interboro shall not report to Executive.

            Executive  shall devote his full business time to, and shall use his
best efforts in, the performance of such duties and responsibilities.

      2. Compensation.

            2.1 For his  services  pursuant  to this  Agreement,  EVCI  will pay
Executive a salary at the annual rate of $200,000 ("Salary").

            2.2 As an incentive for Executive to enter into this Agreement, EVCI
agrees to grant  Executive  five-year  options  that do not qualify as incentive
stock options, to purchase 90,000 shares of EVCI's common stock at the price per
share equal to the closing price of EVCI's common stock,  as reported by NASDAQ,
on December 23, 2004. Such options will expire at midnight on December 31, 2008,
will vest and become  exercisable,  in whole or in part on a cumulative basis as
to  one-half of the shares  covered  thereby,  on each of December  31, 2004 and
2005,  will  contain  cashless  exercise  provisions  permitting  payment of any
portion of the exercise price by  surrendering  options and/or EVCI common stock
to EVCI,  and will be governed by the  provisions  of a stock  option  agreement
substantially in the same form as EVCI uses for  non-qualified  option grants to
its other senior executives.

<PAGE>

      3. Employment  Term. The term of Executive's  employment (the  "Employment
Term")  will  commence as of the date first  written  above and,  unless  sooner
terminated as provided in Section 5, will end on December 31, 2005.

      4. Benefits, Payments and Withholding.

            4.1  Executive  will be entitled to vacation of four weeks per year,
and  holidays  and sick days in  accordance  with EVCI's  policy,  during  which
Executive will be entitled to the full  compensation and Benefits (as defined in
Section 4.2) otherwise payable hereunder.

            4.2 Executive may participate,  on the same basis and subject to the
same qualifications as other executive personnel (exclusive of the founders, Dr.
Arol I.  Buntzman  and Dr. John J.  McGrath)  of EVCI,  in any  pension,  profit
sharing,  life  insurance,  health  insurance,  hospitalization,   dental,  drug
prescription,  disability,  accidental death or dismemberment  and other benefit
plans and  policies  EVCI  provides  with  respect  to its  executive  personnel
(collectively, the "Benefits").

            4.3 EVCI will pay or promptly  reimburse  Executive,  in  accordance
with EVCI's normal policies and procedures for its executive personnel,  for all
allowances   and  expenses   provided  for  hereunder  and  for  all  reasonable
out-of-pocket business,  entertainment and travel expenses incurred by Executive
in the performance of his duties hereunder.

            4.4 EVCI will pay the Salary at the  semimonthly  rate of  $8,333.33
and may  withhold  from the  Salary,  the  Benefits  and any other  compensation
provided to Executive hereunder, all Federal, state and local income, employment
and other taxes,  as and in such amounts as may be required to be withheld under
applicable law.

            4.5 EVCI shall pay for Executive's  CLE courses,  in accordance with
its  current  policy  and shall pay for such  legal  publications  as  Executive
reasonably determines are necessary for Executive's performance of his duties as
General  Counsel.  In addition,  EVCI shall pay the costs and  disbursements  of
outside  legal  counsel  recommended  by  Executive  and approved by the CEO, to
perform such  services as Executive  and the CEO  determine  are  necessary  and
appropriate.

      5. Termination and Severance Benefits.

            5.1  Termination by EVCI and  Resignation by Executive.  The CEO may
terminate Executive's employment with EVCI, with or without Cause (as defined in
Section  5.5).  Termination  with  Cause  shall  be  effective  immediately  and
termination  without Cause shall be effective  upon 30 days prior written notice
to Executive.  Executive may  voluntarily  resign his employment with EVCI, with
Good Reason (as defined in Section 5.5),  upon 30 days prior  written  notice to
EVCI.

            5.2 Compensation Upon Termination  Without Cause or Upon Resignation
with Good Reason. If the CEO terminates Executive's employment hereunder for any
reason other than Cause or Executive's death or Permanent Disability (as defined
in Section 5.5), or if Executive  voluntarily  resigns his employment  with EVCI
with Good Reason (the effective  date of the first to occur of such  termination
or his resignation  being the "Termination  Date"),  then (a) Executive shall be
entitled to receive (i) the Salary and Benefits accrued prior to the Termination
Date and (ii)  payment or  reimbursement  of any  expenses,  provided  for under
Section 4.3, that were incurred by Executive prior to the  Termination  Date and
(b) after the  Termination  Date, EVCI will also continue (i) to pay the Salary,
in equal semimonthly  payments, to Executive throughout the greater of 12 months
or the unexpired  portion of the Employment Term and (ii) continue for Executive
and his spouse and dependent  children the health insurance coverage and medical
and dental  reimbursement  referred  to in Section  4.2 for 12 months  after the
Termination  Date.  Executive  shall be under no duty to seek  other  employment
following  termination  but any amounts  earned by him in  connection  with such
other employment shall reduce and offset the amounts otherwise owing hereunder.

                                       2
<PAGE>

            5.3  Compensation  Upon  Resignation  Without  Good  Reason  or Upon
Termination  for Cause.  If Executive  breaches  this  Agreement by  voluntarily
resigning his employment with EVCI without Good Reason or Executive's employment
is terminated  by the CEO for Cause,  then  Executive  shall only be entitled to
receive,  except as otherwise  required by law, the Salary and Benefits  accrued
prior to the  effective  date of the first to occur of his  resignation  or such
termination,  and reimbursement of any expenses, provided for under Section 4.3,
that were incurred by Executive  prior to the effective date of his  resignation
or such termination of his employment.  Nothing in this Section 5.3 shall create
any  implication  that EVCI is waiving  any  remedy  EVCI may have for breach by
Executive of this Agreement.

            5.4 Compensation  Upon Death or Permanent  Disability.  If Executive
dies or  suffers  a  Permanent  Disability,  then  EVCI  will (i)  promptly  pay
Executive or his estate, in one lump sum, three months' Salary and (ii) continue
for  Executive's  spouse and dependent  children (if Executive has died) and for
Executive  and his  spouse  and  dependent  children  (if  Executive  suffers  a
Permanent Disability),  all of the Benefits that they were receiving at the time
of his death or Permanent Disability,  for six months after Executive's death or
Permanent Disability.

            5.5 Definitions.

            "Cause." For purposes of this Agreement,  EVCI shall have "Cause" to
terminate  the  Employment  Term upon (i) the  determination  by the CEO, in the
CEO's  sole  discretion,  that  Executive  has not been  performing  his  duties
hereunder in an appropriate or  sufficiently  competent  manner (other than as a
result of his  incapacity due to physical or mental  incapacity),  provided such
nonperformance  continues for five business days after written notice thereof is
given to Executive or (ii) Executive's conviction of a felony.

            "Good  Reason"  means  a  breach  by  EVCI  of any  of its  material
agreements  contained  herein,  including,  a breach  of  Section  1.2,  and the
continuation  of such breach for ten business days after notice thereof is given
to EVCI.  Good  Reason does not include  the death or  Permanent  Disability  of
Executive.

            "Permanent  Disability"  means the inability of Executive to perform
his duties hereunder,  as a result of any physical or mental incapacity,  for 30
consecutive days or 60 days during any twelve-month period, as determined by the
Board.

      6. Covenants Not to Compete.

            6.1 Executive agrees that for 18 months following termination of his
employment with EVCI he will not, without EVCI's prior written approval,  engage
in any  business  activities  that  are  competitive  with  any of the  business
activities then being  conducted by EVCI within 75 miles of any college,  school
or office operated by EVCI.

                                       3
<PAGE>

            6.2 During the 18 months  following  termination  of his  employment
with EVCI,  Executive  shall not without  the  permission  of EVCI,  directly or
indirectly,  hire any employee of EVCI,  or solicit or induce,  or authorize any
other  person to solicit or induce,  any  employee  of EVCI to leave such employ
during the period of such employee's  employment with EVCI or within  six-months
following such employee's termination of employment with EVCI.

            6.3  Sections  6.1 and 6.2  shall  not  apply  to a  termination  of
Executive's employment pursuant to Section 5.2.

      7. Covenant Regarding Confidentiality.  All confidential information about
the business and affairs of EVCI (including, without limitation, its secrets and
information  about  its  services,   methods,  business  plans,  technology  and
advertising  programs and plans)  constitutes "EVCI  Confidential  Information."
Executive  acknowledges  that he will have  access to, and  knowledge  of,  EVCI
Confidential   Information,   and  that  improper  use  or  disclosure  of  EVCI
Confidential  Information by Executive,  whether during or after the termination
of his  employment by EVCI,  could cause serious injury to the business of EVCI.
Accordingly, Executive agrees that he will forever keep secret and inviolate all
EVCI  Confidential  Information  which has or shall come into his possession and
that he will  not use the  same  for his own  private  benefit  or  directly  or
indirectly  for the  benefit  of  others,  and  that he will  not  discuss  EVCI
Confidential Information with any other person or organization,  all for so long
as EVCI  Confidential  Information is not generally  known by, or accessible to,
the public.

      8. General.

            8.1 This  Agreement will be construed,  interpreted  and governed by
the laws of the State of New York,  without regard to the conflicts of law rules
thereof.

            8.2 The  provisions  set  forth in  Sections  6 and 7 shall  survive
termination of this Agreement. All reference to EVCI in Sections 6 and 7 include
EVCI's subsidiaries and other affiliates, if any.

            8.3 This Agreement will extend to and be binding upon Executive, his
legal representatives, heirs and distributees, and upon EVCI, its successors and
assigns  regardless  of any  change in the  business  structure  of EVCI,  be it
through  spin-offs  merger,   sale  of  stock,  sale  of  assets  or  any  other
transaction.  However,  this Agreement is a personal  services  contract and, as
such, Executive may not assign any of his duties or obligations hereunder.

            8.4 This Agreement  constitutes the entire  agreement of the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof. No waiver,  modification or change of
any of the  provisions  of this  Agreement  will be valid  unless in writing and
signed by both parties. Any and all prior agreements between the parties written
or oral  relating to  Executive's  employment by EVCI are of no further force or
effect.

            8.5 The waiver of any breach of any duty,  term or condition of this
Agreement  shall not be  deemed  to  constitute  a waiver  of any  preceding  or
succeeding  breach  of the same or any other  duty,  term or  condition  of this
Agreement.   If  any  provision  of  this  Agreement  is  unenforceable  in  any
jurisdiction in accordance with its terms, the provision shall be enforceable to
the fullest  extent  permitted  in that  jurisdiction  and shall  continue to be
enforceable in accordance with its terms in any other jurisdiction.

                                       4
<PAGE>

            8.6 All notices  pursuant to this Agreement  shall be in writing and
delivered  personally receipt acknowledged (which shall include Federal Express,
Express  Mail or similar  service) or sent by  certified  mail,  return  receipt
requested,  addressed  to the  parties  hereto  and shall be deemed  given  upon
receipt,  if  delivered  personally,  and three days after  mailing,  if mailed,
unless  received  earlier.  Notices  shall be addressed  and sent to EVCI at its
principal executive office and to Executive at his home address as it appears in
EVCI's personnel records.

            8.7 The parties  agree that, in the event of any breach or violation
of this  Agreement,  such  breach of  violation  will  result in  immediate  and
irreparable  injury and harm to the innocent party, who shall be entitled to the
remedies of injunction and specific  performance or either of such remedies,  if
available, as well as all other legal or equitable remedies, if available,  plus
reasonable attorneys fees and costs incurred in obtaining any such relief.

            8.8  The  Section  headings  contained  in  this  Agreement  are for
convenience  of  reference  only  and  shall  not be  used  in  construing  this
Agreement.

            8.9 This  Agreement may be executed in  counterparts,  each of which
will be deemed an original but all of which will together constitute one and the
same agreement.

      IN WITNESS HEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
first above written.

                                   EVCI CAREER COLLEGES INCORPORATED

                                   By:    /s/  Dr. John J. McGrath
                                          -------------------------------------
                                   Name:  Dr. John J. McGrath
                                   Title: Chief Executive Officer and President

                                   /s/   Joseph D. Alperin
                                   --------------------------------------------
                                   Joseph D. Alperin

                                       5EXHIBIT 10.20

                        EVCI CAREER COLLEGES INCORPORATED

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                          (Non-Qualified Stock Option)

         THIS  AGREEMENT,  made as of January 1, 2004,  by EVCI CAREER  COLLEGES
INCORPORATED,  a Delaware  Corporation (the  "Company"),  with JOSEPH D. ALPERIN
(the "Holder"):

         The Company has adopted  the EVCI  Career  Colleges  Incorporated  1998
Amended and Restated Incentive Plan (the "Plan").  However,  there are no shares
available for grant under the Plan. As an incentive for the Holder to enter into
an employment agreement (the "Employment Agreement") with the Company, the Board
authorized  the grant of options to the Holder that are not covered by the Plan.
However, the terms of such options, to the extent not expressly governed by this
Agreement shall be the same as if granted under the Plan,  except that, if there
is any inconsistency between such Plan terms and this Agreement,  this Agreement
shall govern.  Subject to the foregoing,  the Plan, as it currently  exists,  is
incorporated  herein by reference and made part of this  Agreement.  Capitalized
terms in this  Agreement  shall have the same  meaning as in the Plan unless the
context requires otherwise. References to the Plan mean as it currently exists.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  , the Company hereby grants to the Holder,  as of the
date  hereof,  the  Option to  purchase  all or any part of 90,000  shares  (the
"Shares")  of Common  Stock of the  Company,  par value  $.0001  per share  (the
"Common  Stock"),  at a price per share of $4.70 (the "Exercise  Price"),  which
price is 100% of the Fair  Market  Value of a share of Common  Stock on December
23,  2004.  The  Option  shall  also  be  subject  to the  following  terms  and
conditions:

         1. a. The Option shall continue in force through December 31, 2008 (the
"Expiration Date"),  unless sooner terminated as provided herein or in the Plan.
The Option shall vest and to become  exercisable,  on a cumulative  basis, as to
45,000  Shares on December  31, 2004 and 45,000  Shares on  December  31,  2005.
However,  the Option shall become  fully vested and  exercisable  on a Change of
Control Date.

             b. The Option is designated as a stock option that does not qualify
as an incentive stock option  pursuant to the Internal  Revenue Code of 1996, as
amended (the "Code").

         2. In the event that the  relationship of the Holder to the Company and
its Related  Entities (as defined  below) is terminated  prior to the Expiration
Date  (otherwise  than by  reason of death or  disability),  the  Option  may be
exercised  (to  the  extent  that  the  Holder  was  entitled  to do  so at  the
termination of this  relationship  with the Company and its Related Entities) at
any time  within 90 days after such  termination,  but not after the  Expiration
Date, provided,  however,  that if such termination shall have been for cause or
voluntarily  by the Holder and without the consent of the Company or any Related
Entity,  as the case may be, the Option and all rights of the Holder  hereunder,
to the extent not theretofore  exercised,  shall forthwith terminate immediately
upon such termination. In its sole and absolute discretion, the Board may extend
such 90-day time period and amend this Agreement accordingly.

<PAGE>

         3. If the Holder shall (a) die within 90 days after the  termination of
the Holder's relationship with the Company (other than termination for cause, or
voluntarily  on the  Holder's  part and  without the consent of the Company or a
Related Entity,  as the case may be, which consent shall be presumed in the case
of normal retirement), or (b) become permanently and totally disabled within the
meaning of Section  22(e)(3) of the Code while serving as an employee,  director
or  consultant  to the  Company,  and if the Option was  otherwise  exercisable,
immediately  prior to the  occurrence  of such  event,  then such  Option may be
exercised  as set forth herein by the Holder or by the person or persons to whom
the Holder's  rights under the Option pass by will or  applicable  law, or if no
such person has such right, by such person's executors or administrators, at any
time within six months  after the date of death of the original  Holder,  or six
months after the date of permanent or total disability,  but in either case, not
earlier than the date provided in the immediately  preceding  paragraph or later
than the Expiration Date.

         4. a. The Holder may  exercise the Option with respect to any number of
whole  shares less than the full number of shares  subject to the Option but not
for less than 100  shares.  The  Holder  may  exercise  the Option by giving the
Company written notice in the form annexed,  as provided in paragraph 10 hereof,
of such exercise. Such notice shall specify the number of shares as to which the
Option is being  exercised and shall be  accompanied by payment in full by means
of one or a combination of the following: (i) in cash, of an amount equal to the
Exercise  Price  multiplied  by the  number of shares as to which the  Option is
being  exercised (the "Purchase  Price");  or (ii) if permitted by the Board, by
surrender to the Company of a number of shares of Common  Stock,  or by allowing
the  Company  to  deduct a number  of shares  from the  shares  of Common  Stock
deliverable  to the Holder upon  exercise  of the  Option,  having a Fair Market
Value, as determined by the Board on the date of exercise  pursuant to the Plan,
equal to the Purchase Price.

             b. Prior to or  concurrently  with  delivery  by the Company to the
Holder of a  certificate(s)  representing  such shares,  the Holder shall,  upon
notification  of the amount due, pay  promptly  any amount  necessary to satisfy
applicable federal, state or local tax requirements. In the event such amount is
not paid  promptly,  the Company shall have the right to apply from the Purchase
Price paid any taxes  required by law to be withheld by the Company with respect
to such  payment  and the number of shares to be issued by the  Company  will be
reduced accordingly.

         5.  Notwithstanding  any other provision of this Agreement or the Plan,
in the event of a change  in the  outstanding  Common  Stock of the  Company  by
reason   of   a   stock   dividend,   split-up,   split-down,   reverse   split,
recapitalization,  merger,  consolidation,  combination  or  exchange of shares,
spin-off, reorganization,  liquidation or the like, then the aggregate number of
shares  subject to the  Option and the  Exercise  Price  shall be  appropriately
adjusted by the Board as the Board shall determine to be equitably required, its
determination to be final and conclusive.

         6. The Option shall, during the Holder's lifetime,  be exercisable only
by the  Holder,  and  neither  the  Option  nor any  right  hereunder  shall  be
transferable by the Holder, by operation of law or otherwise,  except by will or
the laws of descent and distribution.  In the event of any attempt by the Holder
to transfer,  assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of this Option or
of any right  hereunder,  except as provided for herein,  or in the event of the
levy or any attachment, execution or similar process upon the rights or interest
hereby  conferred,  the Company may terminate the Option by notice to the Holder
and it shall thereupon become null and void.

                                       2
<PAGE>

         7.  Neither  the Holder nor, in the event of the  Holder's  death,  any
person entitled to exercise the Holder's rights, shall have any of the rights of
a  stockholder  with  respect to the shares  subject to the Option  until  share
certificates  have been issued and  registered  in the name of the Holder or the
Holder's estate, as the case may be.

         8. Nothing in this Agreement  shall confer upon the Holder any right to
continue in the employ or service of the Company or any entity that  directly or
indirectly,  through one or more intermediaries,  controls, or is controlled by,
or is under common control with, the Company (a "Related  Entity") or in any way
affect any right and power of the Company or a Related  Entity to terminate  the
employment or service of any individual at any time with or without  assigning a
reason therefor.

         9. Except as provided in the introduction to this Agreement, the Option
is subject to, and the Company the Holder agree to be bound by, all of the terms
and  conditions of the Plan. A copy of the Plan in its present form is available
for inspection  during business hours by the Holder or other persons entitled to
exercise the Option at the Company's principal executive offices.

         10. Any notice to the Company  provided for in this Agreement  shall be
addressed  to the  Company  in  care  of its  Chief  Financial  Officer,  at its
principal executive offices,  and any notice to the Holder shall be addressed to
the Holder at the  Holder's  address  now on file with the  Company,  or to such
other  address  as  either  may last have  designated  to the other by notice as
provided  herein.  Any  notice so  addressed  shall be deemed to be given,  upon
receipt, if delivered by hand, receipt  acknowledged,  or on the second business
day after mailing,  by registered or certified  mail, at a post office or branch
post office within the United States.

         11. In the event that any  question  or  controversy  shall  arise with
respect to the nature,  scope or extent of any one or more rights  conferred  by
the Option,  the  determination by the Administrator of the rights of the Holder
shall be conclusive, final and binding upon the Holder and upon any other person
who shall assert any right pursuant to the Option.

                                EVCI CAREER COLLEGES INCORPORATED

                                By: /s/ Dr. John J. McGrath
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Name: Dr. John J. McGrath
                                    Title: Chief Executive Officer and President

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

/s/ Joseph D. Alperin
------------------------------------
    Joseph D. Alperin

                                       3
<PAGE>

                           FORM OF NOTICE OF EXERCISE

TO:     EVCI CAREER COLLEGES INCORPORATED
        At its principal executive offices

         The undersigned  hereby exercises the Holder's option to purchase _____
shares of Common  Stock (the  "Shares")  of EVCI  Career  Colleges  Incorporated
("EVCI"),  as provided in the Stock Option Agreement made as of January 1, 2004,
at $ per  share,  for a total of  $__________,  and makes  payment  therefor  as
follows:

         (a) If  permitted  by  EVCI's  Board of  Directors,  to the  extent  of
$__________ of the purchase  price,  the undersigned  hereby  surrenders to EVCI
certificates  for shares of its Common Stock,  which,  valued at $__________ per
share, the fair market value thereof equals such portion of the purchase price.

         (b) If  permitted  by  EVCI's  Board of  Directors,  to the  extent  of
$__________ of the purchase price, the undersigned  hereby allows EVCI to deduct
from the number of Shares deliverable pursuant to this exercise a number of such
Shares which,  valued at  $__________  per share,  the fair market value thereof
equals such portion of the purchase price.

         (c) To the extent of the balance of the purchase price, the undersigned
has  enclosed  a  certified  or bank  check  payable  to the  order  of EVCI for
$__________.

         A stock  certificate or certificates for the Shares should be delivered
in person or mailed to the undersigned at the address shown below.

         The undersigned acknowledges that: unless notified otherwise in writing
by EVCI,  (i) the Shares have not been  registered  under the  Securities Act of
1933  ("Securities  Act") or any  State  securities  laws  ("State  Laws")  and,
therefore,  cannot be sold or otherwise disposed of unless they are subsequently
registered under the Securities Act and applicable State Laws or, in the opinion
of counsel to EVCI,  an  exemption  from  registration  is  available;  (ii) the
undersigned  will have no right to require that the Shares be  registered  under
the Securities Act or any State Laws; and (iii) the  certificate  evidencing the
Shares will bear legends covering the restrictions described above.

                                Signature:
                                           -------------------------------------

                                Address:
                                           -------------------------------------

                                           -------------------------------------

Dated:

                                       4

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