As part of a longstanding mission to prepare students for today’s fast-changing workforce, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) has launched several unique online graduate programs—the MS in Strategic Nonprofit Management, the MS in Generative AI, and the MA in Early Childhood Policy and Leadership.
“Our new master’s programs reflect CUNY SPS’ commitment to meeting the evolving needs of today’s professional workplaces,” said CUNY SPS Dean Braverman. “Led by faculty experts, these online graduate offerings in generative AI and early childhood policy and leadership—which are among the first to be offered at CUNY—will equip professionals with the skills and knowledge required for two rapidly growing and impactful fields. We are pleased to introduce these innovative programs as part of our ongoing mission to support working adults and help them succeed in the 21st century workplace.”
CUNY SPS welcomes these innovative graduate offerings and their inaugural cohorts, with a spotlight on the programs below.
MS in Strategic Nonprofit Management
Designed for working professionals in the nonprofit and public sectors who are committed to advancing social impact, the CUNY SPS MS in Strategic Nonprofit Management will equip them with the strategic, financial, and leadership skills needed to drive mission-driven organizations forward.
Students in the program will gain real-world job skills, including fundraising, operations, and program evaluation, through a hands-on, practical curriculum that blends nonprofit management theory with experiential learning activities and real-world applications.
Through coursework taught by experienced and supportive nonprofit leaders and practitioners, students will specifically learn to design and implement strategies that strengthen nonprofit organizations; apply ethical and effective leadership and governance practices; develop and manage budgets, fundraising plans, and grant proposals; use data, analytics, and emerging technologies to drive impact and accountability; and apply communication and marketing strategies to engage persuasively with boards, funders, and community stakeholders.
Offered in a flexible fully online format during 7-week sessions, with zero textbook costs to help students save on fees, students may complete the MS in Strategic Nonprofit Management in as little as 3 semesters, depending on course load.
MS in Generative AI
Generative artificial intelligence (AI), which refers to AI models that create original content based on training data, is a new technology that is already massively transforming nearly all industries and job sectors. The CUNY SPS MS in Generative AI, one of the first graduate academic credentials to be offered in this tech field, seeks to provide students with the tools to understand the current ecosystem of AI, and learn how to apply these technologies to create organizational value.
Designed for the tech-savvy executive, business transformation officer, or decision-maker who seeks to develop a broader and deeper understanding of how to solve real-world problems and automate organizational processes, the MS in Generative AI trains students in how data is tokenized; how embeddings encode knowledge (language patterns, facts, reasoning); how high dimensional vectors capture meaning in a spatial way; and how test time training iteratively generates and scores and samples inferences to generate next token.
For those earning this degree, recent statistics show there is a high demand for professionals with expertise in generative AI—and that these are some of the highest-paying jobs in the field. According to LinkedIn, generative AI is growing faster than almost any other job category, and currently offers nearly 77% higher salaries than comparable tech positions.
“The new degree program addresses the critical need for decision-makers to understand how to decompose and embed intelligence in workflows and processes,” said Arthur O’Connor, academic director of the MS in Generative AI and other data science programs at CUNY SPS.
MA in Early Childhood Policy and Leadership
Early childhood policy has become a major focus for legislators in New York City and State, as New York City Mayor Mamdani and New York State Governor Hochul pledge to make free universal childcare a priority—and, to fulfill this goal, call for an expanded body of trained childcare professionals.
EJ Jun, Director of Higher Education Initiatives, New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute, oversees the new program at CUNY SPS, which she notes will help bring more skilled workers into this growing field.
“With demand for qualified early childhood professionals at an all-time high, the MA in Early Childhood Policy and Leadership is preparing the next generation of leaders to meet this challenge,” said Jun. “The program emphasizes policy, advocacy, and system-level thinking to expand access, elevate quality, and support the workforce that families rely on every day.”
Priscilla Novas, MS Ed, (pictured left) is one of the students in the program’s inaugural cohort seeking to take on a larger leadership role in the field. Currently the founder and director of the family daycare center Future Prints Childcare and head of the Future Prints Learning Council, Novas decided to enroll in the MA in Early Childhood Policy and Leadership to expand her understanding of how “…systems, policy, and leadership directly impact the quality of care that children and families receive.”
“As someone who has worked closely with both families and providers, I’ve seen firsthand the gaps that exist in underserved communities, especially in my own community, Washington Heights,” Novas reflected. “This program is helping me think more purposefully about how to create change. After graduating, I hope to continue expanding my work in early childhood by strengthening programs, supporting providers, and contributing to policy and systems that improve access to high-quality care.”
In the first months of the program, Novas is already learning a great deal. “So far, the program has reinforced my skills in leadership, policy analysis, and systems thinking. It has helped me better understand how decisions at the policy level affect what happens on the ground in programs like mine,” she said. “I’ve also gained more confidence in advocating for both providers and families. These experiences are already influencing how I lead my programs, and I know they will continue to shape my work as I grow in this field.”
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 over 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.
Press Contact
Prerna Dar
CUNY SPS Chief Marketing Officer
Prerna.dar@cuny.edu