Master of Science in Business Management and Leadership

Format: Online
Application Deadlines
  • Spring 2024 Regular Deadline: December 7, 2023
  • Spring 2024 Regular Deadline Extension: December 14, 2023

*The application fee is waived for those applying by the listed priority deadline.


The MS in Business Management and Leadership online degree program inspires working professionals to become innovators, influencers, and decision-makers across all areas of business. With an emphasis on maintaining corporate ethical practices in a global environment, the program examines case studies and organizational models to help students solve timely issues related to diversity, sustainability, and consumer trust. Unlike the MBA, the MS degree provides versatility and flexibility to all students as they learn the core business functions in addition to the emerging industry areas. The program grounds itself in the ability to help students analyze numerical and non-numerical data alike so they can become better at explaining and justifying their decisions.

The MS in Business Management and Leadership program includes core and elective courses such as Finance, Accounting, Economics, Marketing, Organizational Behavior, and Human Resource Management.

Studying closely with an experienced network of supportive faculty, industry experts, and peers from around the country and the world, students in the program enhance their abilities to leverage managerial skills, effectively execute business strategies, and remain competitive. Additionally, students have the opportunity to take advantage of the CUNY School of Professional Studies Entrepreneurship Network, which connects students and their business aspirations to the many activities supported by CUNY.

Career and Academic Prospects

The MS in Business Management and Leadership program is designed as a vehicle for promotion, entry into a new field at the management level, or the groundwork for further study. Students and graduates can pursue careers as a strategy director, payroll manager, public relations director, business resiliency analyst, operations risk manager, data analyst, paid search campaign manager, e-business specialist, and human resources generalist.

Admissions Criteria

Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Applicants are required to write a personal statement, upload a resume, and provide two letters of recommendation which speaks to their academic and professional abilities. Letters of recommendation may be submitted before or after submitting an application. Please note that an individual interview may be necessary.

Students may need to take up to four (4) prerequisite courses in order to be ready for graduate level work. These are undergraduate courses in financial accounting, statistics, micro- or macroeconomics, and spreadsheets. Courses that fulfill the prerequisites must have been completed with an earned grade of C or better. Some of the core courses are without prerequisites and can be taken as early as the first semester in parallel with these undergraduate courses if required.

Transcripts from all institutions attended, both undergraduate and graduate, must be submitted. Work experience relevant to graduate study is strongly preferred.

Applicants not meeting the criteria will be denied admission to the Master of Science in Business Management and Leadership (MSBML) but may be offered admission to the Advanced Certificate in Management (ACM)-MSBML Bridge Program. This option consists of 3 graduate-level CUNY SPS Online Business Programs courses taught by professors in the Master's program and culminates in receiving the ACM. Upon successful completion of all 3 ACM courses with a grade of "B" or better in each course, students will again be reviewed for admission to the MSBML. Upon admission to the MSBML, 2 of the 3 ACM courses will automatically transfer over for credit to the MSMBL. Students enrolled in the Advanced Certificate in Management do not qualify for financial aid. To be considered for the ACM-MSBML Bridge Program, you must first apply to the MSMBL program.

Read more about the Advanced Certificate in Management.

Application Deadlines

  • Spring 2024 Regular Deadline: December 7, 2023
  • Spring 2024 Regular Deadline Extension: December 14, 2023
Apply Now

Student/Alumni Profiles

Patrycja Golinska

MS in Business Management and Leadership 2020

"CUNY SPS has allowed me to make connections with others that have similar interests and goals as me. The students I met were from all different walks of life, which is what makes CUNY so amazing and diverse."

Kris Senior

MS in Business Management and Leadership 2020

“During my time at CUNY SPS, I worked alongside some of the most incredible minds I have come to know, all with intriguing inner-city constructed backgrounds. Watching these minds grow together with the strength of a community of similar backgrounds was the aspect of attending CUNY SPS that will stay with me for my lifetime."

Rohan Ketwaroo

MS in Business Management and Leadership 2019

"Take advantage of all the webinars and events at CUNY SPS. These are people who will help you to succeed, both in your CUNY SPS tenure and even beyond."

Rishi Maharaj

MS in Business Management and Leadership / BS in Business 2021/2020

"It is never too late. Regardless of where you are in life, there is no better time like the present and achieve your goals, and remember to never stop learning."

Recent News About Master of Science in Business Management and Leadership

Studying like a nerd: Spacing, self-testing, and explanatory questioning in principles of microeconomics

August 29, 2023

International Review of Economics Education

Dr. Gabriel Martinez, a faculty member and academic community leader for the CUNY SPS online business programs, published "Studying like a nerd: Spacing, self-testing, and explanatory questioning in principles of microeconomics" in the International Review of Economics Education. The article describes how Dr. Martinez, in his Principles of Microeconomics course, tested the theory that learning science insights--an "active learning" pedagogy based on spacing, self-testing, and explanatory questioning--improves learning as compared to the "Chalk-and-Talk” traditional pedagogies that demand less of the student. His results suggest that the learning science insights helped both the middle-of-the-road and weak students improve their grades.
Logo for CUNY SPS business club MELO

Startup Contest Awards Students with Innovative Business Ideas

July 13, 2023

Students pitched their business ideas at the 3rd annual Entrepreneurial Ideation Fair, hosted by the Management and Entrepreneur Leadership Organization (MELO) student club.

CUNY SPS Student Smiling While Talking to Faculty Member

CUNY SPS Faculty Members Awarded CUNY Career Success Fellowship

April 24, 2023

Dr. Isabelle Elisha and Dr. Joseph Foy are among the nearly 50 faculty across CUNY selected for this important career readiness initiative.

Welcome to Entrepreneurial Ideation Fair: Small Business, Big Ideas

Entrepreneurial Ideation Fair | MELO

April 19, 2023

On April 19th, the Management, Entrepreneurship and Leadership Organization (MELO) hosted a virtual Ideation Fair for the CUNY SPS Online Business Programs. Hosted by MELO’s Nina Medrano, the event featured four student participants (Kelley Raphael, Elizabeth Teperino, Zakia Dunson, and Penelope Rodriguez) who each gave 3-minute pitches to present their innovative business ideas to a panel of judges.