POTSDAM — The State University of New York at Potsdam recently announced its first fully online baccalaureate program -- a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.

The program is the first to be offered 100 percent virtually in the field in the SUNY System.

"We are thrilled to launch SUNY Potsdam's first online bachelor's degree. Having taught political science here for nearly 30 years (and having studied it as an undergraduate here myself), I know firsthand the value of this degree and the incredible careers that our graduates have gone on to. I cannot wait to see what kind of doors we can open through this fully online program -- reaching students from all over, while still offering the personalized guidance and support that SUNY Potsdam is known for," said Officer-in-Charge Dr. Philip T. Neisser '79.

The program will kick off in Fall 2023, and faculty in the SUNY Potsdam Department of Politics are already hard at work preparing courses and applied learning experiences for the first cohort of fully online students. All coursework can be completed asynchronously, so students can work on their own schedules.

"We have heard from students who might be looking to transfer from community college or who never completed their degree elsewhere who are interested in political science or pre-law studies, but can't relocate or need the flexibility of online study so they can work or serve in the military. No matter how they study, students are going to come away with the same strengths -- analytical and quantitative skills, research, social action, and written and verbal communication," said Professor Dr. Robert Hinckley, chair of the Department of Politics.