Program Overview

RN to BS-MS in Nursing Organizational Leadership (Accelerated)

The RN to BS-MS in Nursing Organizational Leadership online degree prepares nurses to contribute to the health, education, and social structure of communities by assuming positions of leadership. The program creates a landscape for nurses to promote innovative change and quality outcomes, translate evidence-based research into practice, build collaborative interprofessional healthcare teams to coordinate care, and employ advocacy strategies to influence healthcare policy across the healthcare spectrum.

Dual Degree

The RN to BS-MS in Nursing Organizational Leadership is a dual degree program that provides a seamless progression (and “fast track”) from the BS to MS programs. The program’s overlapping coursework allows students to complete both degrees within an integrated framework and in less time than each degree completed on its own.

Career Scope and Academic Prospects

The health care field presents unprecedented career opportunities for master’s prepared nurses as a direct result of the expansion of integrated healthcare systems, growth of the elderly population, advances in technology, challenges related to health insurance, and a focus on health disparities and underserved populations.

Graduates of the RN to BS-MS in Nursing Organizational Leadership degree are qualified to serve as directors of nursing, chief nursing officers, nurse managers, accountable care coordinators, and wellness program directors. Potential workplaces for these roles include hospitals, outpatient care clinics, medical centers, home healthcare agencies, long-term care facilities, and academic health systems.

Accreditation

The RN to BS-MS in Nursing Organizational Leadership at CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

This program is registered with the New York State Education Department.

Completion Rates

CUNY SPS RN-BS benchmark for program completion rates: 75% of students will complete the RN-BS program within five years.

• 2023: 94%
• 2022: 96%
• 2021: 96%

Job Placement Statistics

Undergraduate program outcome: 80% of RN-BS alumni will report employment as a RN within twelve months.

• 2023: 89%
• 2022: 92%
• 2021: 78%

Prior Learning Assessment

Credit for non-collegiate learning is a credit recommendation for college-level learning acquired outside of a college or university.

View Pre-approved Nursing Certifications

The American Council on Education (ACE) and the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCR) have evaluated college-level training programs, credentials, and licenses from the military, government, and the public sector that may be eligible for college credit at the CUNY School of Professional Studies.

CUNY SPS also awards credit for currently reviewed licenses and certifications in the fields of Health Information Management, IT, Project Management, Real Estate, Business, and Emergency Medical Technician.

Admissions Criteria

To qualify for admission to the RN to BS-MS in Nursing Organizational Leadership program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Associate’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or above out of a 4.0
• Unencumbered nursing license and a current registration
• Admission essay highlighting education and career achievement, including specific examples of problem-solving while working in the practice setting, leadership experience at the bedside or in other settings, and professional and community awards
• Submit two letters of recommendation from each, a nurse educator
  urse faculty and supervisor/manager
• A description of an evidence-based practice project completed in nursing school or in the practice setting
• Resume

Residency Requirement

In order to enroll in the RN to BS in Nursing program, students must provide documentation of one of the following categories:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Permanent Residency
• Granted asylum, refugee status, temporary protected status, withholding of removal, deferred enforced departure, deferred action status by the U.S. Government, deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or permanently residing in the United States under color of law (PRUCOL)

Application Deadlines

• Spring 2026 Priority Deadline: November 3, 2025
• Spring 2026 Regular Deadline: December 1, 2025

Format

The program is offered in an online format.

HEGIS Code

The HEGIS code for this program is 1203.10.