Empire State University Launches First Online Degree in Business Offered Fully in Spanish
Empire's Spanish BBA will be the first of its kind in the SUNY system.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — Empire State University announces the launch of SUNY's first Spanish-language online degree program—a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)—a groundbreaking initiative designed to meet the needs of Spanish-speaking students. The university will welcome its first cohort of students in this program in Fall 2025.
Developed in partnership with SUNY, Empire State University's Spanish BBA program will be taught fully online and entirely in Spanish, with wraparound student supports, such as financial aid, accessibility, and tutoring, offered by faculty and staff who are native or near-native Spanish speakers. Empire State University is building the infrastructure to provide the full student experience in Spanish, including investments in technology, academic support, and staffing. The university has hired new faculty and staff to support this innovative program.
The Spanish BBA, a 124-credit program, will mirror its English-language counterpart, covering a range of courses including marketing, financial accounting, management principles, and resource management. The program will also offer a selection of general education courses in Spanish, including courses in science, mathematics, humanities, the arts, and history. The program has been reviewed and approved by SUNY and the New York State Education Department.
SUNY Empire offers in-state tuition for all online undergraduate and graduate programs to students who are residents of Puerto Rico. To be eligible for in-state tuition, students must be a resident of Puerto Rico at the time of enrollment.
The US is projected to have the second-largest Spanish-speaking population in the world by 2060. According to the US Census Bureau, more than 41.2 million people currently live in Spanish-speaking homes throughout the nation, with 2.7 million residing in New York state.
According to the 2024 Yearbook of the Instituto Cervantes , nearly 500 million people speak Spanish as their mother tongue. It is the second most-spoken language in the world by number of native speakers.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King said, “Empire State University's first Spanish-language online degree program will open a door to an excellent business degree for Spanish-speakers. “It's a fantastic opportunity for the students and the university, and an apt illustration of the ways SUNY's campuses are leaning into their strengths and providing the academic programs students desire and the quality they demand.”
Empire State University President Lisa Vollendorf said, “I am deeply committed to expanding access to as many students as possible. Our Spanish language bachelor's in business administration signals to students throughout New York, across the country, and around the globe that Empire State University stands ready to help learners of all ages and all backgrounds achieve their educational dreams.”
Empire State University Provost Rai Kathuria said, “As someone who moved to the United States in search of educational and economic opportunity, I take great pride in seeing Empire State University embrace diversity by launching our first degree program fully offered in Spanish. As New York's only public online university, we are uniquely positioned to serve Spanish-speaking students regardless of where they live.”
Empire State University School of Business Dean Julie Gedro said, “In an increasingly globalized economy, proficiency in languages other than English is more valuable than ever. Our Spanish-language business degree equips students with the skills necessary to navigate today's multicultural and multinational business world.”
Empire State University Director of Spanish Language Programs Silvia Mejía said, “Access has been an integral element of Empire State University's mission since its founding in 1971. The Spanish BBA, its first online degree taught entirely in Spanish, is designed to expand access to higher education by breaking down the language barrier.”
For more information, visit www.sunyempire.edu/president/spanish-bba/ .
