CUNY SPS Celebrates Highest Enrollment and Largest Transfer Student Class

The CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) observes National Transfer Student Week with a celebration of its highest enrollment in the School’s history, and the largest class of transfer students, for the Fall 2023 semester.

The total number of students enrolled this Fall is 4,431, with the largest growth in the freshman and junior academic levels, compared with 4,060 students last year, according to the CUNY SPS Office of Admissions.

These preliminary numbers show a nearly 20 percent increase in undergraduate enrollment and a three percent rise in graduate students from last fall, based on initial data.

Within academic programs, CUNY SPS saw eye-popping student increases and the doubling of enrollment in the BS in Nursing Dual/Joint with LaGuardia Community College; BA in Youth Studies; BPS in Applied Management and Entrepreneurship; and the Child Development Associate Certificate.

Lorgia Martinez, a first-year student in the BPS in Applied Management and Entrepreneurship program, is a new member of the School’s largest transfer class. A Bronx native who transferred from Hostos Community College after earning an associate degree in early childhood education, Martinez chose CUNY SPS to complete her degree for several reasons.

"The online aspect allowed me to both work and go to school full time as a single parent and, as a CUNY transfer student, I was already familiar with CUNY policies. Also, this is the only CUNY school with an undergraduate entrepreneurship major, which aligns well with my professional aspirations," Martinez said.

Martinez, whose parents are from Honduras and Guatemala and is the first in her family to attend college, added that she used her associate degree to open a family home daycare business. "I’ve been in business about four years, and I'd like to grow my business and eventually go into consulting," she noted.

The remarkable growth at CUNY SPS showcases the School’s success in providing convenient, affordably priced, and high-quality online academic programs for working adults returning to college.

Nadia Ramdass, who lives in St. Albans, Queens, is one of those adults. She came to New York City from Trinidad and Tobago two decades ago and has worked as a nanny for most of those 20 years. In addition to her job as a nanny, Ramdass also works at a pre-school and was encouraged to get her child development associate certificate by a colleague at CUNY SPS.

"I love the program and the faculty is very supportive," she said. "It's perfect for working adults with a family."

Acharo Smith, a Hostos Community College graduate now enrolled in the BPS in Applied Management and Entrepreneurship program, agreed and said the program's online flexibility sold him since he works in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and lives in the Bronx. "It's wonderful to be at an institution that values you as a person and is looking at the previous credits and applying them to your degree."

In a further sign of its success, CUNY SPS has also been recognized by many ranking institutions, including U.S. News & World Report, which has named the School in the top 15 of its list of Best Online Bachelor’s Programs nationwide for multiple years running.

"As CUNY's pioneering campus for online learning, we are fulfilling our mission to serve an increasing number of students interested in fully online degrees and the flexibility of our programs designed for a variety of nontraditional learners," said CUNY SPS Dean Dr. Lisa Braverman. "Our record high enrollment this fall speaks volumes about the dedication and hard work of our staff and faculty who help make this possible."

About the CUNY School of Professional Studies

As New York's leading online school since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York, and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor's degree, progress from an associate's degree, earn a master's degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers. Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule.

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