Master of Science in Business Management and Leadership

Format: Online
Application Deadlines
  • Spring 2026 Priority Deadline: November 6, 2025
  • Spring 2026 Regular Deadline: December 4, 2025

Please note there is no application fee for graduate applications submitted by the 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.

Featured Alumni Profiles


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 MSBML. 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 MSBML program.

Read more about the Advanced Certificate in Management.

Application Deadlines

  • Spring 2026 Priority Deadline: November 6, 2025
  • Spring 2026 Regular Deadline: December 4, 2025
Apply Now

Student/Alumni Profiles

Giovanni Ozias-Lopes

MS in Business Management and Leadership 2021

"CUNY SPS transformed my leadership style, equipping me with the skills to navigate challenges and truly understand the essence of effective management. It's been instrumental in shaping my career trajectory."

Bertrand Batista

MS in Business Management and Leadership 2023

"Each of my degrees served as professional and personal foundations for growth and equipped me with knowledge that has enhanced my problem solving ability and communication skills."

Sara Yahia

MS in Business Management and Leadership 2019

"CUNY SPS provided me with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in my career, especially in the field of online learning. It instilled in me a commitment to continuous improvement and professional growth."

Recent news about Master of Science in Business Management and Leadership

Presidential Excellence Awards Recipients

September 24, 2025

Baruch College

Professor Curtis Izen, who teaches in the CUNY SPS Online Business Program and the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College, is the recipient of the 2025 Presidential Excellence Award (Adjunct) for Distinguished Teaching at Baruch College for his outstanding achievements in instruction, accessible, and inclusive pedagogy.

Career Success Fellows

September 24, 2025

CUNY.edu

Dr. Diane Merians Penaloza, a doctoral lecturer for the online Business programs at CUNY SPS, was accepted into CUNY’s Career Success Fellows program, which supports faculty in connecting classroom learning with real-world applications. Dr. Penaloza's focus will be on integrating experiential learning into signature assignments, giving students opportunities to apply knowledge beyond theory and build meaningful, career-relevant skills. Through this initiative, Dr. Penaloza will strengthen pathways to help students prepare for both professional and academic futures.

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MSN recently reposted an Axios article that quoted Dr. Diane Merians Penaloza, professor of Online Business Programs. Dr. Penaloza offered her insights about a recent retail collaboration at Target, saying that the big box retailer has "mastered the idea of drop culture."
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CUNY SPS Students Lead Bold Discussions on AI at 7th Annual Student Leadership Conference

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During the weeklong conference, students both presented and attended multiple webinars that examined the potential benefits and challenges of AI in today's world.

Becoming An Effective Leader

April 04, 2025

CUNY SPS Blog on Medium

In this CUNY SPS blog post, Jhenise Cochrane, an alum from our BS in Business program, discusses her recently published books "Becoming an Effective Leader" and "Leadership Journal." In the blog's interview, Cochrane discusses her time at CUNY SPS and what led her to write these important manuals for 21st-century leaders.