Political Science and Worldwide Affairs presents three absolutely on-line levels

After 11 years, three adjustments in her subject of research and the delivery of her daughter, Apollonia Johnson lastly earned her Bachelor of Science diploma in political science with a minor in worldwide affairs from the College of North Georgia (UNG). Her sister and her fiancée threw a shock commencement get together to rejoice in July.

“Lastly incomes my diploma was like watching Germany win the World Cup,” stated Johnson, who was born and raised in Germany. “And I couldn’t have accomplished my diploma if it hadn’t been all on-line.”

Johnson, a 32-year-old single mom from Athens, Georgia, was the primary UNG pupil to earn a bachelor’s diploma in political science utterly on-line. The Division of Political Science & Worldwide Affairs (PSIA) is the primary educational division at UNG to supply affiliate, bachelor’s and grasp’s levels on-line.

Dr. Dlynn Williams, head of PSIA and affiliate professor of political science, defined the PSIA division was an early adopter of on-line graduate packages when it began providing the Grasp of Arts in Worldwide Affairs (MAIA) on-line in fall 2009.

“This system was very profitable from the start,” she stated.

Extra on-line programs had been steadily added, permitting the PSIA division to supply the Affiliate of Arts diploma in political science pathway in fall 2016. A 12 months later, the Grasp of Public Administration (MPA) program transitioned from in-person instruction to on-line in fall 2017. Its enrollment doubled over the subsequent 12 months.

“After we went on-line, we turned extra various, as a result of enrollment was not restricted by geography,” stated Dr. Luisa Diaz-Kope, coordinator of the MPA program at UNG.

After that, PSIA school began discussing an internet bachelor’s diploma program. About the identical time, Johnson determined to pursue a level in political science and approached the division about incomes it on-line. She labored a full-time job in larger training, held a part-time job and had a toddler at house.

“Incomes my diploma on-line was key as a result of it provided me the flexibleness I wanted,” Johnson stated. “My daughter would fall asleep at eight p.m. or 9 p.m. Then I might do a load of laundry and research till 2 a.m. I match in class the place I might after I might. There is no such thing as a method I might have gotten the diploma one other method.”

Since Johnson proved a pupil might earn a bachelor’s diploma for political science utterly on-line, the PSIA division formally launched the web program in fall 2020.

Williams stated college students with full-time jobs, working professionals and nontraditional college students like Johnson are the perfect candidates for this system. She additionally expects extra college students to contemplate the web diploma this fall.

“It will likely be enticing for people who’re involved in regards to the coronavirus and are cautious about returning to class,” Williams stated.

For college kids who want to enroll in one of many division’s on-line packages, Williams advises them to contact Maria Albo, senior lecturer of political science. Albo is the unofficial educational adviser for college students pursuing an internet diploma in PSIA.

“She has lengthy historical past of instructing on-line and labored with Distance Training & Expertise Integration to implement this system,” Williams stated.

She additionally encourages college students to register as an internet pupil to trace their progress and guarantee they will full their packages in an environment friendly method. PSIA school and employees may join with college students through e mail and thru their weblog. They’re additionally energetic on the social media platforms of Fb, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

“We now have put each effort into making a group for on-line college students in addition to our brick-and-mortar college students,” Williams stated.