Academics

Are you ready for a challenge?

Newman University invites you to engage in one of the most powerful experiences of your college career.

Since 2006, Newman University has offered intensive Spanish studies abroad, and more than 115 Newman students and faculty have participated.

We´ll kick off the summer volunteering with the Sisters of the Adorers (ASC) in their health and education projects near Guatemala City. Next, we’ll visit beautiful Lake Atitlán to witness the courage of local people in their struggle for justice and walk where Oklahoma priest, Blessed Father Stanley Rother served and sacrificed his life. Next, we´re off to the western mountains for five weeks to study Spanish language, history, social reality and culture in the city of Quetzaltenango, or Xela as it´s locally known. Along with five hours of personal instruction a day, our weeks in Xela include site visits, films, speakers, salsa lessons, masses, hikes, soccer, service projects and living with individual host families. After exams and the last writing assignments are in, we’ll fly north to the Mayan ruins of Tikal, spending two days hiking, learning, and relaxing in the jungle before returning to Guatemala City for our journey home.

Amid our language and cultural immersion, we’ll gather for La Noche Newman, a time to reflect and support each other throughout the program. As we build relationships with one another and with our local hosts, we will trace connections to the ASC, the Catholic tradition, our own nation and global community. We hope you’ll join us.

View the Guatemala Study & Serve Brochure

Courses

• SPAN 1115 Elementary Spanish I Abroad
• SPAN 1125 Elementary Spanish 2 Abroad
• SPAN 2115 Intermediate Spanish I Abroad
• SPAN 2125 Intermediate Spanish 2 Abroad
• SPAN 3012 Advanced Spanish I
• SPAN 2143 Spanish Conversation 1 Abroad
• SPAN 2153 Intermediate Spanish Abroad for Medical Professionals
• SPAN 3153 Advanced Spanish Abroad for Medical Professionals
• SPAN 3893 Spanish Field Experience Abroad
• SPAN 4104 Central American Encounters

*Pre-requisites apply. 8-11 credits possible depending on level. Contact Sonja Bontrager for course selection; placement test may be required. Additional courses may be available for advanced students. Current NU students should enroll in SPAN 3103A Introduction to Central America in the spring semester prior to departure.

Please contact:

Are you exploring which degree fits you?

Fantastic! College is a time of learning and understanding. A great deal of that learning process is to help you decide what you will do in your professional lifetime. 

The Exploratory program is designed in a way that allows you to experience a good mix of prerequisites to help you find your passion and to help identify your skill strengths - all while maintaining your expected graduation date!

How can you choose just one program when there are so many great programs to choose from at Newman? The best way to answer this question is to declare your major as Exploratory while taking prerequisite courses. After having experienced a broad range of classes from psychology to biology, you will gain an understanding for what you are skilled at and most importantly - what your passion is. 

APPLY TODAY or SCHEDULE A VISIT

Fall 2025 Course and On-Campus Residency Schedules

Spring 2026 Course and On-Campus Residency Schedules

On Campus Residency Notes

• Necessary hotel accommodations will be the students responsibility.
• The mid day (lunch) break will be from noon to 1:30 pm and lunch will be provided Thursday and Friday.

Students in the Department of History and Political Science can become members of the Alpha Kappa Theta chapter of Phi Alpha Theta.

Phi Alpha Theta is a professional society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. The organization seeks to bring students, teachers and writers of history together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote and assist historical research and publication by our members in a variety of ways.

History and Political Science Students can also join the Kansas Theta Chapter of Pi Gamma Mu.
The purpose of Pi Gamma Mu is to foster excellence in the social sciences to promote cooperation among them. It is the oldest, the largest and the most significant of the honor societies broadly concerned with the social sciences.