Welcome!

Welcome to the Arabic Program of the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Texas at Arlington! Part of the Critical Languages and International Studies section, our mission is to promote global competence through the study of the language, literature, and culture of the Arabic-speaking world.

Arabic is the fifth-most widely spoken language in the world with over 300 million native speakers who are spread across more than 20 countries. Arabic is the liturgical language of Islam, the faith of over one billion followers who know Arabic as a first or second language. As one of the official languages of the United Nations, the Arab League, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and the African Union, Arabic is a global language at the forefront of transnational diplomacy and commerce. The high demand and low supply of Arabic speakers in the West increases job opportunities in a variety of fields. Moreover, the U.S. government has designated Arabic as a language of strategic importance, which means that more opportunities for financial support are available for Arabic students.

Our innovative curriculum is designed to maximize the success of both language learners and heritage speakers of Arabic who grew up with Arabic at home. Through experiential learning in language classes, as well as in more advanced courses in literature, culture, and localization and translation, we train our students to be multilingual and intercultural. In addition to linguistic and cultural competence, students gain valuable skills in critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving.

Arabic graduates are prepared for job opportunities in a wide range of fields:

The language services industry (localization and translation)
Education
Research
Writing, publishing, and the media
Health, legal, and social services
Business
Government
International relations
The cultural heritage sector: museums, libraries, and archives

Explore Arabic at UTA!—العربية لغة المستقبل

Courses

In addition to language classes, which focus on the development of linguistic skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, the Arabic program offers advanced courses on a diverse range of topics and specialties in literature, culture, and localization and translation. Some courses are available online.

See descriptions here

Faculty

Programs

Minor in Arabic
People with foreign language abilities have a distinct advantage in the career marketplace, and they can use those skills to assist them in varying fields, such as business, government, healthcare, as well as legal and social services. Minoring in Arabic is a great way for you to gain a distinguishing, marketable skill while opening your eyes to another culture.

Requirements for a Minor in Arabic
- ARAB 1442*
- ARAB 2313
- ARAB 2314
- 9 hours of 3000- or 4000-level Arabic coursework
* Note: Although ARAB 1441 is not required for the minor, ARAB 1441 with a grade of C or better is the prerequisite for ARAB 1442. Likewise, a C or better is required for each course in the series in order to enroll in the next.
Minor in Localization and Translation-Arabic

See descriptions here
Minor in Modern Language Teaching-Arabic

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Scholarships

Student Group

Arabic Language and Culture Organization

The Arabic Language and Culture Organization (ALCO) is a community for students who are interested in promoting the Arabic language and culture on campus. All interested UTA students, not only those enrolled in our courses, are invited to visit ALCO. We welcome Arabic speakers of all levels—beginning, intermediate, and advanced—and provide our members an opportunity to speak Arabic and to increase their knowledge and awareness of the Arabic-speaking world. We meet biweekly to converse and plan events in celebration of Arabic culture. Presentations about Arabic-speaking countries, film screenings, concerts, dining in local Arabic restaurants, and campus events are just some of the activities we take part in.

A $10 fee is charged for membership, which goes towards the spending budget of the club. Members must be UTA students.

Faculty Advisor

Ms. Reem Shishakly

For More Information

Study Abroad

UT Arlington, through the Office of International Education, offers a variety of opportunities for students to study abroad at reasonable prices. Students participating in the UTA Reciprocal Exchange Programs in Fall, Spring, or Summer, can use UT Arlington Financial Aid Scholarships.

Furthermore, our Study Abroad opportunities, scholarships, and other programs are supported by the Charles T. McDowell Center for Critical Languages and Area Studies.

Arabic