ENGLISH / ESPAÑOL

Fairleigh Dickinson’s Gateway to the Future Program

Enabling Spanish-Speaking Immigrants to Learn English and Earn an Associate in Arts Degree or a Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Studies, Through Progressive All-Spanish to All-English Coursework

About the Program

New Jersey ranks among the top 10 states in the country in terms of its Hispanic population.  Among them are many newcomers with limited or no English language skills who have immigrated to the United States from throughout Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and Latin America.

For these individuals, the challenges of learning English and advancing their education while working are immense.  In response to the growing number of employers interested in providing educational opportunities to their Latino employees, Fairleigh Dickinson designed an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree for Spanish-speaking adults as well as the succession in their studies to a BAIS degree and the possibility to enter the Master of Administrative Science program that allows these men and women to realize their dreams and potential.

By attending evening and Saturday classes as a cohort, participants in the Gateway to the Future program develop their English writing and speaking skills through a professional and structured program of study – plus earn their degree.

This program, which began in the fall of 2003, is offered on the University’s Metropolitan Campus in Teaneck, NJ, as well as in other locations throughout New Jersey.  It combines proven, quality language training with the invaluable professional skills acquired through a college-level degree: the ability to communicate effectively, think critically, and work as a member of a team.

The Puerta al Futuro – Gateway to the Future – program continues the University’s great tradition of what it does best: working with adult learners, providing them with the practical and professional education they need to further their careers.

Aimed at Spanish-speaking residents in northern New Jersey with limited English skills, the program gradually transitions students from all-Spanish to all-English classes over the course of study.  The first stage combines intensive English language training with college-level coursework taught entirely in Spanish.  In the second stage, students continue their English language studies while attending courses in English and Spanish taught by bilingual faculty.  By the third stage, all courses are taught completely in English.

The Gateway program is offered in three tri-semesters – a traditional 15-week fall semester followed by two 12-week winter and spring semesters – on evenings plus Saturdays.  While there is a break in degree studies each summer during July and August, students do continue their English immersion courses year-round during the first five semesters.

Academic courses will be taught by full- and part-time faculty at Fairleigh Dickinson University, as well as new adjunct faculty recruited from the Hispanic professional community.  Fairleigh Dickinson was the first traditional university in the country to require all its students to take at least one three-credit Online course for every 30 credits as part of its mission to prepare global citizens.  The same holds true for participants in this program, who will build their Internet skills by taking two distance learning courses as part of their degree requirements.  Theses courses are team-taught by members of the University’s traditional faculty as well as its Global Virtual Faculty – scholars and professionals from around the world, including a number from Spanish-speaking countries.

For details on this program, contact the Puerta al Futuro office at 201-692-2625.

1/14/2008