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College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department of World Languages and Cultures

Arabic Studies

Acquire skills to effectively communicate in Arabic, and develop cultural competency in the Middle East.

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Program Overview

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 interact with diverse populations in the Middle East appropriately. In addition, students will develop important cultural competency in the Middle East, with many completing study abroad programs in the region.

Arabic courses

Major in Arabic Studies

B.A. in World Languages and Cultures: Arabic Studies Concentration

The Arabic Studies concentration provides an interdisciplinary study of a vibrant and critical region of the world. It provides students with an in-depth understanding of the Middle East and North Africa, including the languages, peoples, histories, and cultures of the region.

Arabic Studies

Minor in Middle East Studies

Interested in Arabic and more? Consider the Middle East Studies Minor: Successful completion of WLAR 201 satisfies the language requirement for the Middle East Studies Minor at NC State. Arabic courses taken beyond the WLAR 201 level will also count towards the minor as electives. The Middle East studies minor compliments majors in all disciplines, including the sciences, humanities, business and engineering by providing an interdisciplinary study of a vibrant and critical region.

Middle East Studies Minor

Earn a Certificate in Arabic

Develop competency and knowledge of the Arabic language. To earn a certificate in Arabic, students take a total of 15 credit hours with at least nine credit hours taken at NC State. The remaining credit hours may be taken through affiliate programs, including Study Abroad. Students can begin in WLAR 101, 102 or 201 to complete an Arabic certificate.

Arabic Certificate

Arabic In Your Schedule, With Your Major:

  • Are you interested in Arabic and an International Studies Major? Successful completion of WLAR 301 or WLAR 330 satisfies the language requirement for the International Studies Major at NC State.
  • Take Intensive Beginning Arabic During the Summer: 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 WLAR courses.

Academic Advising

Connect with your advisor, register for classes and explore new opportunities.

Add or Change Majors and Minors

Are you interested in adding a second major, a minor or changing your degree? We can help.

Why Arabic?

Arabic is the spoken language of more than 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 and North Africa to the world necessitates increasing engagement and professional competency in Arabic languages and cultures. Arabic Studies at NC State 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

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

Study Abroad

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.

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

Faculty

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