“We try very hard to maintain a reasonable cost for our students in both the in-person and the online space,”
Personalized Support, Wherever You’re Logging In
Every UAlbany online student is assigned a dedicated advisor—someone who stays with them from the moment they enroll through graduation day. That kind of consistency matters, especially for students managing changes in work, finances, or life outside the classroom.
“Very few students have a completely linear academic experience,” says Malatesta. “Having someone who knows your history and your goals means you’re not starting from scratch when things shift.”
Online student coordinators help students navigate university systems, while evening and weekend hours make it easier to get answers when it counts. Behind the scenes, a campus-wide success team keeps lines of communication open across departments — financial aid, career services, academic support—so students don’t have to chase help down on their own.
Through the Minerva Center, students can access remote internships, research, and other high-impact learning experiences, and career counselors are always just a video call away. Wherever students are learning from, the university is close by.
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Online, But Never on Your Own: UAlbany Puts Students First
College doesn’t look the way it used to—and for a lot of students, that’s a good thing.
"It’s a different modality of teaching… and we’ve built in support to help faculty do it well."
Programs That Match What Students—and Employers—Want
By Monica Vanover on June 18, 2025
College doesn’t look the way it used to—and for a lot of students, that’s a good thing. Today’s learners are navigating more than just homework and midterms. Many are balancing full-time jobs, raising families, or stepping back into school after time away—circumstances that have reshaped how students engage with higher education. With those shifts came a new kind of classroom—one that bends around real life instead of competing with it.
There was a time when online education was treated like a backup plan, a workaround during a difficult moment. But what started as a stopgap solution for many colleges has evolved into something smarter, more strategic. At the University at Albany, that model is fully realized.
UAlbany Online is structured around student needs, faculty expertise, and built-in support. Each degree meets the same standards as its on-campus counterpart, with full academic rigor and faculty who know how to teach in digital spaces. UAlbany Online was created for students who need education to fit around work, family, or the next big life decision—not the other way around.
Plenty of schools offer online degrees. Fewer can say they built theirs from the ground up with real data, defined goals, and a clear sense of who they were building for.
“We did a lot of research about student demand and employer demand,” says JoAnne Malatesta, Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education. “Who’s looking for what? What do students want to do? What do they want from online programs? And then we built our programs based around that research.”
From the outset, UAlbany focused on designing programs that would speak directly to the needs of adult learners, career changers, and returning students—without losing sight of what employers are actually hiring for. That alignment shaped everything from the choice of majors to the structure of each course. The result is programs that are practical, purposeful, and built to hold value beyond graduation.
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"We did a lot of research about student demand and employer demand. Who’s looking for what? What do students want to do? What do they want from online programs? And then we built them based around that research."
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QUICK FACTS
JoAnne Malatesta, Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education
UAlbany’s Online Format Fits Your Life
Flexibility is built into UAlbany Online from the word go. The programs were created for people living busy, often unpredictable lives: full-time professionals, caregivers, students coming back after a long break. Courses are primarily asynchronous, so students can complete their work when it works for them—before a morning shift, during naptime, or after the house quiets down for the night.
“We were particularly targeting degree completers when we launched,” Malatesta says. “People who had started their education but stepped away. Now they have a chance to come back in a way that works for their lives.”
That flexibility doesn’t mean students are on their own. Every course is part of a carefully structured path, with built-in academic support and advising. Students can take a lighter course load one semester, ramp up the next, or pause if life calls for it.
Teaching That Translates to the Digital Classroom
For faculty at UAlbany, teaching online doesn’t amount to uploading materials and calling it a day. Online courses are taught by the same professors who lead classes on campus, with additional support from faculty who specialize in virtual instruction. That includes experts in online pedagogy—hired specifically to strengthen how content is delivered in a digital space.
Behind the scenes, faculty also work closely with the university’s Center for the Advancement of Teaching, Learning, and Online Education (CATLOE). The center provides everything from course design consultations to workshops on inclusive teaching practices and educational technology.
“We have an office that is dedicated to helping our online instructors,” says Malatesta. “It’s a different modality of teaching… and we’ve built in support to help faculty do it well.”
Explore High-Demand Programs at UAlbany Online
UAlbany didn’t flood the internet with majors—it launched online programs with intention. Each one reflects student demand and workforce relevance, starting with Psychology, Cybersecurity, Communication, Criminal Justice, and Game Design.
Psychology remains one of the most popular choices, offering pathways into mental health, research, and human services. Cybersecurity continues to grow—both as a national priority and a hiring hotspot. And Game Design? It’s one of the first online programs of its kind in the country.
“The research shows strong demand from both students and employers,” says Malatesta. “We built the programs around that intersection.”
More are on the way. When interest in a History major surged, UAlbany responded by developing an online version that’s already gaining traction. It’s a model that doesn’t just follow trends—it listens, adapts, and delivers.
Financially Accessible— and Built to Stay That Way
Earning a degree shouldn’t require taking on a lifetime of debt. At UAlbany, affordability is part of the mission. A member of the SUNY system, the university works hard to keep costs low and accessible for students from every background.
“We try very hard to maintain a reasonable cost for our students in both the in-person and the online space,” says Malatesta. Nearly 60% of UAlbany students qualify for Pell Grants, and tuition increases are considered a last resort—not a default setting. The goal is simple: make quality education available to those who need it, not just those who can already afford it.
Ready When You Are— Explore UAlbany Online
Already earned your bachelor’s degree? UAlbany Online also offers flexible graduate programs and professional certificates designed to help you take the next step in your career—with the same academic quality and support that define its undergraduate experience. Find available graduate programs here.
Wherever you are in your journey, there’s no shortcut to a good education. But there are better ways to get there. UAlbany Online was built for students who need flexibility—and want quality. From dedicated advisors to faculty trained in digital instruction, every piece of the experience is designed to support student success without losing sight of academic depth.
“We put the same care, concern, and integrity into our online programs that we put into our in-person courses,” says Malatesta. “Our online students are UAlbany students, and it matters to us on all levels how they succeed.”
Explore degree options, support services, and find the program that fits your goals at albany.edu/online.
Most classes are asynchronous, so there’s no need to log in at a set time. You’ll still have weekly deadlines, but you can tackle the work whenever it makes sense—early morning, late at night, or between everything else on your plate. Each course is thoughtfully designed by faculty and backed by online learning specialists to make sure the experience is clear, engaging, and actually useful.
How do online classes work at UAlbany?
Yes! A large number of UAlbany Online students are degree completers—people who earned credits elsewhere and are ready to finish what they started. UAlbany makes it straightforward to transfer past credits and pairs you with an advisor to map out a clear, flexible path to graduation that fits your life today.
Can I finish my degree online if I started it somewhere else?
From day one, you’ll have an advisor in your corner—and they’ll stick with you through graduation. You’ll also have access to online coordinators, tutors, career counselors, and the Minerva Center, which helps connect students with internships, research, and more. It’s a full support system, built to keep you connected no matter where you’re learning from.
What kind of support will I have as an online student?
Very. UAlbany Online was designed for people juggling work, family, and everything else life throws at them. You can go full speed or slow things down, take a break when needed, and pick up where you left off. The structure is there to guide you—but it won’t box you in.
How flexible are the class schedules?
Nope. A UAlbany degree is a UAlbany degree—whether you earn it online or on campus. There’s no separate label, no asterisk. You’re graduating from a nationally respected research university, and that’s exactly what your diploma says.
Will my degree say “online”?
Just the basics—a computer, a reliable internet connection, and access to UAlbany’s online platforms. You won’t need fancy gear or special software, and if something goes sideways, tech support is there to back you up.
What kind of technology do I need?
“We try very hard to maintain a reasonable cost for our students in both the in-person and the online space,”