Portuguese Study in Higher Education in the United States

This study reports the results of a national survey of Portuguese instructors that investigates enrollment growth in regions and institutions of higher education in the United States. It details the reasons why Portuguese enrollments have grown steadily since 1998, while providing data on the numbers of students enrolled in classes and the number of classes offered each year. It addresses the language background of students studying Portuguese and the nationality of Portuguese instructors. The report concludes that two key reasons for growth have been increased enrollments of Spanish speakers and Portuguese heritage speakers. Even though most regions of the United States have experienced growth, the health and well-being of Portuguese study is not the same at all institutions. While one might assume that doctoral institutions have the most faculty members, classes, and resources to maintain Portuguese study, this is not always the case. Furthermore, many colleges and universities now offer Portuguese but only at a minimum level of study.