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

Format: Online

HEGIS Code: 1203.10

Application Deadlines
  • Fall 2025 Priority Extended Deadline: April 15, 2025
  • Fall 2025 Regular Deadline: June 17, 2025

Across the nation, nurses have been encouraged to develop the knowledge, leadership abilities, and interpersonal skills beyond what is learned at the bachelor’s degree level to improve the healthcare system. The Institute of Medicine’s Future of Nursing report recommends that future nurses gain proficiency in competencies such as team leadership, systems thinking, decision-making, and quality improvement.

The RN to BS-MS in Nursing Organizational Leadership online degree prepares nurses to be able 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

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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 (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

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.

  • 2019-2024 = 94%
  • 2018-2023 = 96%
  • 2017-2022 = 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.

For more information about credit for non-collegiate prior learning please contact us pla@sps.cuny.edu.

Prospective students and applicants may schedule a meeting with an academic advisor to obtain an unofficial credit evaluation for an undergraduate degree program.

Meet our Faculty

Estimated number of adjunct faculty teaching in the program: 40

Margaret Reilly
Professor, PhD, DNS, APRN, CNE
CUNY Graduate Center
Academic Director – Undergraduate & Graduate

Patricia Bartley-Daniele
Associate Professor, PhD, FNP-BC
Nursing Education - University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Faculty Advisor MS in Nursing Education
Undergraduate & Graduate

Kenya Harris
Professor, EdD, Educational Administration, Leadership, and Technology
St. John’s University Nursing

Jan Oosting
Associate Professor, PhD
Johns Hopkins University
Undergraduate

Anne Marie Leveille-Tulce
Assistant Professor, PhD, Nursing
CUNY Graduate Center
Undergraduate and Graduate

Kathleen Marsala-Cervasio
Associate Professor, PhD, EdD, ACNS-BC
EdD, Educational Leadership Northcentral University
PhD, Kensington University
Undergraduate and Graduate

Lilly Mathew
Associate Professor, PhD, Nursing
University of Arizona
Undergraduate and Graduate

Linda Paradiso
Associate Professor, DNP, Nurse Executive
Old Dominion University
Undergraduate and Graduate

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/nurse 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)

*International students may enroll in fully online degree programs. However, our online programs do not qualify for student visas.

Students may view the Undergraduate Nursing Student Policies Handbook (PDF). 

Complete list of the online nursing degrees offered at CUNY SPS.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall 2025 Priority Extended Deadline: April 15, 2025
  • Fall 2025 Regular Deadline: June 17, 2025
Apply Now

Student/Alumni Profiles

Pamela Lee

RN to BS-MS in Nursing Organizational Leadership 2023

"As I work consistently on my professional growth in nursing leadership and assist in enhancing care excellence, I have also begun steps to support leadership by serving on multiple committees."

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

CUNY SPS Nursing Professors Dr. Lilly Mathew and Dr. Olga Kagan with Nursing student Waice Mui at the 2025 CUNY SPS nursing convocation

CUNY SPS Celebrates the Power of Nurses at 2025 Nursing Convocation and Pinning Ceremony

May 20, 2025

CUNY SPS celebrated over 200 Nursing graduates at its 2025 Convocation and Pinning Ceremony. The event, which included a traditional pinning ceremony, paid tribute to academic excellence, leadership, and holistic caregiving.
Photo of nurse clutching hand of a patient

The Power of Nurses to Make a Difference: Celebrating National Nurses Week 2025

May 06, 2025

As part of the School's observance of National Nurses Week, we share the stories of two nurses who will be graduating this Spring.

APNA New York Chapter Elects CUNY SPS Nursing Professor as President

May 06, 2025

APNA (American Psychiatric Nurses Association)

CUNY SPS Nursing Faculty Dr. Linda Paradiso was elected President of the NY chapter of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA). She will assume the presidency effective June 2025. Dr Paradiso is a psychiatric nurse and board-certified nurse executive with over 40 years of experience in behavioral health settings. She has written and lectured on topics related to just culture, psychiatric nursing, and performance improvement.

APNA New York Chapter Elects CUNY SPS Nursing Professor as President

May 06, 2025

APNA (American Psychiatric Nurses Association)

CUNY SPS Nursing Faculty Dr. Linda Paradiso was elected President of the NY chapter of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA). She will assume the presidency effective June 2025. Dr Paradiso is a psychiatric nurse and board-certified nurse executive with over 40 years of experience in behavioral health settings. She has written and lectured on topics related to just culture, psychiatric nursing, and performance improvement.