SUNY System Expands Online Degree Offerings

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — New York state's 64-campus university system is undertaking a major virtual expansion, adding new online degree programs and enhancing academic and technical support for students taking classes via computer.

The State University of New York goes live Tuesday with the initiative it's calling "Open SUNY." It's set to launch eight new online degree programs at six campuses, with plans to add more in September. Chancellor Nancy Zimpher announced plans for the expansion a year ago. The goal is to enroll 100,000 new online students over the next five years. SUNY currently has about 465,000 students overall.

SUNY continues to court the traditional college-age student, but also recognizes a new class of online learners among the nearly 7 million New York adults who completed high school but lack college degrees.