School of Nursing, SUNY Geneseo launch partnership for aspiring nurses

SUNY Geneseo students can take advantage of a streamlined path to earning a second bachelor’s degree in nursing or a master’s degree in nursing through a new partnership between the college and the University of Rochester School of Nursing.

This partnership enables eligible and qualified Geneseo students to gain early admission to the School of Nursing’s Accelerated Bachelor’s in Nursing (ABSN) degree program or the Master's Direct Entry (MDE) into Nursing Practice degree program.

“We are excited to enter into this partnership agreement with SUNY Geneseo,” said URochester School of Nursing Dean Lisa Kitko, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN. “Through this affiliation, the School of Nursing and Geneseo are coming together to help address the nursing shortage by expanding the nursing workforce.”

Costas Solomou, SUNY Geneseo vice president for enrollment management, said, “Our students no longer have to choose between a liberal arts education and a career in nursing—this partnership gives them both. We’re excited to offer something unique and distinctive: the freedom to explore everything a liberal arts education has to offer, with a clear, supported path from day one at Geneseo to the University of Rochester School of Nursing.”

The School of Nursing’s 12-Month ABSN degree program is designed to prepare students over three consecutive semesters to pass their licensing exam and practice as an RN. If students commit to working at one of three URochester Medicine hospitals for three years after passing their licensure exam, they can receive full tuition coverage through the UR Nursing Scholars program. The MDE program offers an innovative path to RN licensure plus master's-level preparation for college graduates with non-nursing bachelor's degrees.

The URochester/Geneseo Nursing Affiliation Program is designed to simplify the admissions process, including:

• A fast-tracked application process, with early action on admissions
• A waived application fee
• A guaranteed 30% tuition scholarship for students admitted to the MDE program

To be eligible, Geneseo students must have a cumulative Geneseo GPA of 3.0 or better and remain continuously enrolled at the college after acceptance into the nursing program at URochester School of Nursing until receipt of the bachelor's degree.

Geneseo students also must apply early action for entry into the URochester School of Nursing ABSN or MDE Nursing programs for the fall semester after their expected graduation from the college. The first admissions to the programs will begin in the fall of 2027, with the early-action application process opening for Geneseo students on Nov. 16, 2026, and closing on Jan. 15, 2027.

For more information about the two nursing degree programs, visit: son.rochester.edu/academics/accelerated-nursing-programs.

About the URochester School of Nursing

The University of Rochester School of Nursing is a private, nonprofit institution offering accredited undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. Established in 1925 and later led by founding dean Loretta Ford, co-developer of the nurse practitioner model, the School has a long-standing commitment to integrating education, research, and clinical practice.

As part of URochester Medicine, the School is embedded within a leading academic health system, providing students with direct access to diverse clinical settings and interdisciplinary training. Its nationally ranked programs emphasize hands-on learning, close faculty mentorship, and innovative approaches to education and care delivery. The School prepares graduates to meet evolving workforce needs and to improve health outcomes in Rochester, across New York State, and beyond.

About SUNY Geneseo

Founded in 1871, SUNY Geneseo is New York’s Public Honors College. Guided by the values of learning, creativity, belonging, civic engagement, and sustainability, Geneseo provides a distinctive, equity-centered honors experience that pairs rigorous academics and close faculty engagement with a commitment to making exceptional educational opportunities accessible to students from all backgrounds. Geneseo equips students with the knowledge and skills to build a better world.