Why Arabic?

Arabic is the spoken language of over 400 million people in 22 countries; it is one of the five official languages of the United Nations, and is the religious language of over one billion Muslims. The geopolitical, cultural, and economic importance of the Middle East & North Africa to the world necessitates increasing engagement and professional competency in Arabic languages and cultures. Arabic Studies at NCSU offers students the opportunity to gain cultural and linguistic proficiency in this critical region of the world.

Students in Arabic Studies will acquire skills to effectively communicate in Arabic using both spoken and written forms of the language. Interdisciplinary study will build confidence and enable students to appropriately interact with diverse populations in the Middle East. In addition, students will develop important cultural competency in the Middle East, with many completing study abroad programs in the region.

Career opportunities for Arabic Studies graduates

The demand for multilingual personnel extends to all fields of enterprise and is continuing to grow. Previous graduates who have taken Arabic language courses at NCSU have gone on to careers with extensive ties to the Middle East and/or are based in the region. Arabic has proven a professional advantage for students in myriad fields, including:

• Government and Public Sector careers
• Business Administration and Marketing
• Politics and Diplomacy
• NGOs and NPOs
• Media and Communications
• Graduate and Professional Studies
• Journalism
• Science and Engineering
• Education

Arabic Studies Major

NC State offers a major in Foreign Languages and Literatures with a concentration in Arabic Studies. Students in the Arabic Studies major will acquire skills to effectively communicate in Arabic using both spoken and written forms of the language. Interdisciplinary study will build confidence and enable students to appropriately interact with diverse populations in the Middle East. In addition, students will develop important cultural competency in the Middle East, with many completing study abroad programs in the region.

Information about the Arabic Studies Major‌

Arabic and the Middle East Studies Minor

Successful completion of FLA 201 satisfies the language requirement for the Middle East Studies Minor at NC State. Arabic courses taken beyond the FLA 201 level will also count towards the minor as electives.

Arabic and the International Studies Major

Successful completion of FLA 301 or FLA 330 satisfies the language requirement for the International Studies Major at NC State.

Intensive Beginning Arabic in Summer Session I

Intensive Beginning Arabic courses are taught at NC State during Summer Session I. For class information do a Class Search for Summer Term I for all FLA courses.

List of Courses‌

Students in Arabic Studies at NC State are strongly encouraged to participate in a study abroad program in the Middle East or North Africa. Study Abroad programs are available during the summer or regular academic year. Arabic language courses taken while studying abroad generally satisfy Arabic course credit and/or meet Arabic degree requirements at NC State. Please contact Jodi Khater to discuss current study abroad options and course credit.

Check out these NC State study abroad programs

• Jordan:  Qasid Arabic Institute
• Egypt:  The American University in Cairo (Semester Program)

Other non-NCSU study abroad programs are also available, please contact Jodi Khater for additional information.

Jodi Khater
Arabic Section Coordinator and Senior Lecturer
Email: jskhater@ncsu.edu 
Office:  411 Withers Hall
Phone:  919-515-2509 (Email is best) 

Dr. Inas Messiha 
Associate Teaching Professor
Email: itmessih@ncsu.edu 
Office: 205 Withers Hall 
Phone: 919-515-9279 (Email is best)

Dr. Elizabeth Saylor
Assistant Professor
Email: elizabeth_saylor@ncsu.edu 
Office: Withers Hall

Tara Di Cassio
Lecturer, Arabic
Email: tldicass@ncsu.edu
Office: 206 Language and Computer Laboratories Building