Upstate Medical University and Cayuga Community College Join Forces to Launch New Accelerated Nursing Pathways

Two programs debuting Fall 2026 aim to fast-track degrees, expand access to nursing education, and strengthen Central New York’s healthcare workforce.

Today the College of Nursing at SUNY Upstate Medical University and Cayuga Community College announced a partnership to create two new educational pathways designed to address the growing demand for nurses in Central New York and throughout New York State by enabling students to graduate sooner and enter the healthcare workforce.

The partnership between SUNY Upstate’s College of Nursing and Cayuga Community College includes the development of two new programs: an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) and a three-year dual degree program that will allow students to earn both an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing and Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing. Both programs are expected to launch in Fall 2026.

The ABSN program is designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree and want to transition into nursing. Students in the program will begin at SUNY Upstate’s College of Nursing to complete the foundational nursing coursework. Students will also work to complete other designated coursework through Cayuga Community College to earn their AAS in Nursing and become eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. The students will then return to SUNY Upstate to complete the remaining coursework to earn their BS in Nursing degree.

In the three-year dual degree program, students seeking a direct pathway into nursing directly after high school or through transfer admission will complete their associate-level nursing curriculum at Cayuga Community College and become eligible to sit the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Upon passing the exam, the students can then enroll at SUNY Upstate to complete the remaining required coursework for the BS in Nursing.

SUNY Upstate Medical University President Dr. Mantosh Dewan said, “As the region’s only academic medical center, Upstate Medical University plays a critical role in addressing the urgent demand for healthcare professionals across Central New York. Together with our partners at Cayuga Community College, we are proud to help develop accelerated pathways that expand opportunity for students while strengthening the pipeline of skilled nurses. Students in these programs will benefit from the Upstate College of Nursing’s longstanding reputation for excellence in education and clinical training. We are grateful to Governor Hochul, the State Education Department, SUNY, and our partners for making this important initiative possible.”

Cayuga Community College President Dr. Brian Durant said, "We’re very excited for this new bridge between Cayuga and Upstate, and to see the long-term impact it can have on our healthcare community. Cayuga’s Nursing program is one of our most successful degree pathways for students, with an outstanding record of connecting students with excellent training and careers. This new partnership with Upstate — another dynamic program with a proven record of success — is a win not only for both institutions, but also for students who are eager to impact the lives of their patients. We’re grateful to President Dewan and Upstate for partnering with us on this new initiative, and to Governor Hochul and SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. for their leadership."

The two programs will expand access to nursing education while also preparing more nurses to serve communities across the region. Graduates of both programs will enter the workforce prepared to meet the needs of today’s healthcare environment and to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care to patients throughout New York State.

The partnership between SUNY Upstate and Cayuga Community College builds on Governor Hochul’s efforts to increase the healthcare workforce in New York State. Through Governor Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect program, New York State provides free tuition, books, fees, and supplies for adults ages 25-55 who don’t already have a college degree and want to pursue a degree in a high-demand field, including nursing and allied health fields. In her 2026 State of the State Agenda, Governor Hochul proposed expanding SUNY and CUNY Reconnect to include adults attaining a nursing degree, even if they have already earned a college degree in a different field, to strengthen the state’s nursing workforce.

SUNY has led the effort to expand nursing opportunities and address the healthcare staffing shortage in New York State. In February, SUNY announced over $700,000 in awards from the High Needs Nursing Fund to equip campuses with the tools, training, and resources to expand simulation-based education in SUNY nursing programs. In February, SUNY announced the expansion of the EOP Scholars Program to support students in nursing and teaching degree programs focused on shortage areas. In December 2025, SUNY announced a $1 million investment from the High Needs Nursing Fund to expand academic pathways to nursing careers, including stronger partnerships with SUNY campuses and Education Opportunity Centers. In May 2025, Governor Hochul announced a $62 million investment to establish exemplary SUNY nursing simulation centers at the State University of New York at Buffalo, SUNY Canton, and State University of New York at Stony Brook. To further support simulation-based learning in the SUNY System, SUNY also announced the second cohort of the SUNY Nursing Simulation Fellowship to help advance simulation-based education within SUNY's nursing licensure programs.