SUNY Potsdam: BA in Political Science Now 100% Online | WWTI

POTSDAM, NY (WWTI) — SUNY Potsdam will offer a 100% online bachelor’s degree program next year. The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science is the first to be offered entirely virtually in the field in the SUNY system.

“We are excited to launch SUNY Potsdam’s first online bachelor’s degree. Having taught political science here for nearly 30 years (and having studied it myself here as an undergraduate), I know firsthand the value of this degree and the incredible careers our graduates have gone on to,” said the officer in charge, Dr. Philip. said T. Neisser.

“I can’t wait to see what kind of doors we can open through this completely online program – reaching students everywhere, while providing the personalized guidance and support that SUNY Potsdam is known for.”

SUNY Potsdam’s Department of Politics is preparing to launch the new program in fall 2023. The program will allow students to work on courses on their own schedule.

“We heard from students who may be looking to transfer from a community college or who have never graduated elsewhere and who are interested in political science or pre-law studies but cannot relocate or need the flexibility of studying online to be able to work. or serve in the military,” said Professor Dr Robert Hinckley, director of the department of politics.

“No matter how they study, students will come away with the same strengths – analytical and quantitative skills, research, social action, and written and verbal communication.”

The political science program prepares students for a wide range of career paths, including law, government, foreign service, public policy, social action, business management, and nonprofits.

“The pandemic has put us in a position where we have to figure out how to deliver what we do online and bring it together in one package, where we can almost individually replicate the experience that students would have on campus. Now we can offer this as a new degree option,” Hinckley said.

“The Lougheed Center for Applied Learning can help our online majors find internships wherever they are, from legal fields to international business. We fully intend to integrate our online majors into our traditional undergraduate student experiences, bringing them into the room to hear guest speakers using streaming options and helping them to s get involved in clubs and college organizations.

Students can take advantage of applied learning opportunities like internships, service projects, study abroad, and career service support. They can also take part in real-world research projects, like Hinckley’s ongoing national poll survey of the impact of COVID on public opinion, supported by funding through the Kilmer Labs initiative.

“We are delighted to involve new students in our research. We are already collaborating online with our team of student investigators, sharing documents, analyzing data and holding meetings virtually – which mirrors the real work of investigators and market researchers very well,” Hinckley said.

Online students can also participate in the department’s joint career preparation programs, such as the 3+3 BA/JD program with the University at Buffalo School of Law which allows students to complete an accelerated curriculum and complete both their undergraduate studies and their law degree. in just six years, instead of the seven years it would normally take.

The department also has joint programs with the University of Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, allowing undergraduate students to transition from their undergraduate studies in political science to master’s programs in international affairs or Masters in Public Administration from Rockefeller. Both options allow undergraduate students to enroll early at the University of Albany, saving a semester of coursework, tuition, and fees.

“A lot of students come to us because they’ve read a news report about something happening in our country or in the world, and they’re either worried or excited and want to know more – to understand what’s going on. behind the scenes,” says Hinckley.

“Political science offers this chance to students. Whether they are interested in international conflict or polarization in the United States, they will uncover the backstory that is not often discussed and uncover solutions. We are not talking about magic solutions, but about examining historical precedents and strategies that can be followed to increase peace, reduce poverty and solve a range of problems that affect the world.