Lehman vs. SPS RN-BS

A&Ox6, MSN, RN · Dec 29, 2015

I actually compiled the SPS program two weeks ago as part of the first cohort. It is a great program, and I found that most of the classes offered skills and information that were easily translatable to my work.

A number of the students in the first two cohorts have found jobs or received promotions based on the work they did for the program, and at least three students presented their coursework at nursing or healthcare conferences.

About the transfer policy, I can explain as I have worked both as an official and unofficial peer mentor/advisor. You will find that it is unreasonable to find a school that accepts more than 90/95 transfer credits, especially at a CUNY. This is the breakdown of credits for all CUNY RN-BS(N) programs.

Pathways requirements (if you enroll after 2014) will include:

1. 3 credits of each of the following: US experience in diversity, World Culture/Global Issues, Creative Expression, Individual and Society, Scientific World, and one free elective.

2. The Common Core of 6 credits English, 3 credits quantitative reasoning (math), and 3 credits life science.

3. 3-12 common core credits. SPS will allow you to replace these with some appropriate nursing or other courses.

Most students will transfer 30-42 nursing credits in from their AAS program, and any of these credits over 30 can count towards the common core requirements.

SPS Nursing students are required to take Statistics, Pathophysiology/Pharmacology, and Chemistry if these courses were not taken elsewhere. That is another 9 credits.

All of the above-mentioned requirements may potentially be transferred in.

There are also 9 nursing courses required at the BS level which must be taken at SPS. Seven of the courses are non clinical and are calculated at 3 credits each. As per NYSED requirements, two clinical courses, Community Nursing (4 credits) and Capstone/Leadership (5 credits) are also included.

While I cannot speak to the Lehman program, their residency requirements may be higher. This can be related to school policy overall. SPS was created for post professionals who need or want to return to school. As such, they have more lenient transfer requirements. I would suggest that you see if there is any information on the Lehman Nursing or regular Lehman website regarding required number of credits in residence to be eligible for graduation. Also, I would advise that you ask for an unofficial transfer evaluation,especially if you didn't attend a CUNY or didn't graduate with an AAS from CUNY in the past few years because you may be missing some of the pathway requirements.

I wish you much luck, and feel free to pm me with any questions.