The State University of New York at Potsdam

The State University College at Potsdam traces its roots back to the St. Lawrence Academy, founded in 1816 by land agent Benjamin Raymond. The first class of 42 students attended the Academy in a one-story building (24′ by 36′) with a vestibule and a bell.

The original location was near Market Street, between Main and Elm Streets. It is still marked today with a plaque on Union Street, across from the Post Office’s back entrance. The early curriculum included classes in reading and writing, English grammar, ciphering, mathematics, book-keeping, dead languages, logic, rhetoric, composition, moral philosophy, natural philosophy and French.

The student body of the St. Lawrence Academy grew rapidly, with 114 students enrolled by 1820. The demographic make-up of the student body was changing as well; enrolled students came from Oneida and Clinton Counties, St. Lawrence County and there were even students attending from Montreal and other towns in Canada. To accommodate the increasing number of students, a new building called the North Academy was built in 1821, and classes opened in the building in 1825. The new building contained a chapel, 21 school rooms and a library.

Mission
The State University of New York at Potsdam prepares students to act as engaged global citizens and to lead lives enriched by critical thought, creativity, and discovery.  As an inclusive scholarly community rooted in our historic role in providing exemplary teacher and music education and our leadership in the fine and performing arts, we are committed to the liberal arts and sciences as an academic foundation for all students.  With an abiding sense of responsibility to our region and to the world beyond, SUNY Potsdam fosters an appreciation of and respect for the variety of human experience.

Courses Offered
Undergraduate Programs

• Anthropology
• Archaeological Studies
• Art Education
• Art History
• Art Studio
• BFA Visual Arts
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Business Administration
• Business Economics
• Business of Music
• Chemistry
• Childhood/Early Childhood Education
• Childhood Education
• Communication (Speech)
• Community Health
• Computer Science
• Criminal Justice
• Dance
• Drama (see Theatre)
• Early Childhood Education
• Economics
• Engineering (3/2 with Clarkson)
• English
• English Education
• Environmental Studies
• French Language & Literature
• French Education
• Geology
• History
• Interdisciplinary Natural Science
• Mathematics
• Mathematics Education
• Music
• Music Education
• Music Performance
• Musical Studies
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Politics
• Psychology
• Science Education
• Social Studies Education
• Sociology
• Spanish Education
• Spanish Language and Literature
• Student-Initiated Interdepartmental Major
• Theatre
• Theatre Education
• Women’s & Gender Studies

Graduate Programs

• Childhood Education
• Curriculum & Instruction
• Educational Technology Specialist
• English & Communication
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Music Composition
• Music Education
• Music Performance
• Organizational Performance, Leadership and Technology
• Secondary Education (Math, English, Science, Social Studies)
• Special Education

Schools

• The Crane School of Music
• School of Arts & Science
• School of Education & Professional Studies

Contact Details
The State University of New York at Potsdam
44 Pierrepont Avenue,
Potsdam NY 13676
(315) 267-2000
Official Website: http://www.potsdam.edu/