Arabic
Study the Arabic language and culture to become a global professional.
Why Study Arabic?
Arabic (Modern Standard Arabic) is the 6th most spoken language in the world, with 274 speakers. MSA is a large language with many different dialects, and all Arabic speakers grow up speaking a local dialect, such as Egyptian Arabic, the most widely understood Arabic dialects.
Arabic is an official or co-official language in 27 countries and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. It is the liturgical language for over 2 billion Muslims, and many Muslims learn Arabic for religious study and prayer.
Our Arabic Program
The Department of Modern Languages offers an Arabic major and minor. There is also a separate Arabic Language Flagship Program that has a competitive entry application process.
The study of Arabic provides students with the practical instruction in a second language required to function in a nonnative environment, as well as the cultural awareness and intellectual strategies necessary to successfully navigate a foreign landscape.
UM faculty teach courses in Egyptian, Levantine, and Moroccan Arabic dialects. Besides language and conversation courses, students can take courses in such topics as language and conflict in the Middle East, Arabic literature and linguistics, the Qu'ran, cinema, and media.
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Academic Information
Learn about the Arabic major and minor requirements, including the general education requirements for the B.A. degree. Download a 4-year degree plan for the B.A. in Arabic.
Arabic Curriculum -
Arabic Language Flagship Program
UM has one of only three Arabic Language Flagship Programs in the nation. It is competitive entry and students have a deeper level of engagement with language learning.
Arabic Language Flagship Program -
Scholarships
Scholarships from the Department of Modern Languages, College of Liberal Arts, and UM Office of Financial Aid help many students study Arabic.
Scholarships
Meet the Arabic Faculty
Allen Clark
- Associate Professor of Modern Languages
Emad Gerges
- Instructor in Arabic
Charles Joukhadar
- Assistant Professor of Arabic
Ahmed Mansour
- Instructor in Arabic
Yasmine Sedeek
- Instructor in Arabic
Asmaa Shehata
- Assistant Professor of Arabic
Beyond the Classroom
Cultural Engagement
The Arabic program offers weekly opportunities for language and cultural engagement, such as cooking and music activities, calligraphy workshops, movie nights, book club, and more.
Global Ambassadors
Students have opportunities to interact with students from Chinese-speaking countries. For example, the Global Ambassadors program connects students from the United States and across the world to spend time each week building friendships across language and culture.
Study Abroad
Intensive Arabic at AALIM
The Arab American Language Institute (AALIM) is located in the heart of the old city in Meknes, Morocco, an imperial city with a population of over 600,000.
AALIM offers a variety of intensive Arabic programs and content-based study abroad for students of all backgrounds. The program uses interactive teaching methods, cultural and community-engaged extracurriculars, and individualized student support.
Intensive Arabic at MALIC
The Modern Arabic Language International Center (MALIC) is located in Amman, Jordan, the capital and largest city of Jordan. With 4 million citizens, Amman features a historical setting that dates to the 9th millennium B.C.E.
MALIC focuses on practical communication and cultural understanding. Not situated within a university setting, the language learning is a personalized, project-based learning.