Arizona State University and Coursera announced yesterday that they will offer open online professional development courses targeted towards Hispanic audiences in Latin America and the U.S. that help students succeed in the global economy.

Through this partnership with Coursera, ASU becomes the first university in the United States to offer online courses tailored to the needs of Latin America and the Hispanic community.  Today’s announcement highlights why U.S News and World Report named ASU the most innovative school in the nation.

“ASU continues to develop new ways to provide students a path to learning that fits their life balance,” said Mark Searle, Interim Provost at ASU.  “Yesterday’s announcement also reflects our efforts to prepare students for an increasingly interconnected global economy.”

The courses offered by ASU through Coursera will be specializations designed for Spanish-speaking working professionals.  Specializations differ from traditional online courses because they provide a series of classes the student can take to master the subject area.  Participants who take the specialization finish with a capstone project and then earn a credential, highlighting their mastery of the subject.

The specializations offered by ASU via Coursera address a need for accessible professional development tools designed for Hispanic students.  Students can take ASU specializations in a range of topics, from learning Chinese to developing the skills to innovate in the workplace.  Three of the five specializations will be offered in Spanish, a first for an American university.

ASU maintains an extensive array of digital class offerings to ensure more students across the globe have access to quality education.  Already, ASU is recognized as one of the leaders in online learning, offering degrees and professional development through programs such as ASU Online, the Global Freshman Academy, and the Starbucks College Achievement Plan.  The new partnership with Coursera allows ASU to specifically target Latin America through specializations that will be useful for Spanish speakers.

The specializations offered by Coursera were developed through ASU’s Global Launch, an organization lauded for its international education programs.  Global Launch provides professional skills development to students and working professionals so they can thrive in the international economy.

“ASU, through Coursera en Español, will be able to expand its impact in the Spanish-speaking community through these new specializations,” said Julia Rosen, Director of Global Launch at ASU.  “This is a great opportunity to provide new learning resources to the Hispanic community in the United States and around the world.”

Upon launch, ASU will offer five specializations in topics from Chinese to tools for innovation.  Specializations offered include:

Beginning Chinese for Spanish Speakers: This specialization offers Spanish speakers the opportunity to learn conversational Chinese.  Students will learn basic conversation skills and words and phrases useful for business.

English for Business Administration: This specialization teaches Spanish speakers English for a corporate environment.  Students learn how to communicate in writing and verbally to address scenarios that could arise in business.

Creativity, Design and Innovation:  This specialization, offered jointly with the National Autonomous University of Mexico (known by its Spanish acronym UNAM) teaches students to generate out-of-the-box solutions to complex challenges. The course covers creative problem-solving, design thinking and making, and innovation strategy.

TESOL Certificate: Teach English Now: This specialization is aimed at English instructors in Spanish-speaking countries. The course offers lessons in the basic principles of teaching English to non-native speakers. Upon completion of the course, students obtain a TESOL certificate from Arizona State University.

Success in the Content Classroom: The Teachers Toolbox Series: This specialization provides instruction to teachers working in U.S. school districts who work with Spanish-speaking students.  Teachers who take the class learn how to plan lessons and assignments to benefit students who are learning to speak English.

Support for the online specializations provided by ASU came from the Televisa Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to the advancement of educational opportunities for Latinos.  Televisa provided video production support for the specializations.

Students can take the courses offered by ASU on demand through the Coursera platform on their computers or mobile device.  Enrollment for the specializations opens today online at https://www.coursera.org/asu.  Students can start taking any of the Coursera courses provided by ASU on Monday, October 7 except for the English for Business Administration course.  The English for Business Administration course will start at the end of October.

About Arizona State University
ASU is a New American University, promoting excellence in its research and among its students, faculty and staff, increasing access to its educational resources and working with communities to positively impact social and economic development.

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