Arabic Studies (Certificate)
Earning a certificate in Arabic, the language of more than 22 countries, shows a commitment to understanding the cultures of a region with global impact. By learning about Arabic language, literature and culture, you'll be developing knowledge that is in demand in today's job market while broadening your perspective on global issues.
Program Description
The certificate program in Arabic studies provides students with skills that enable them to communicate effectively in Arabic in the four areas of language acquisition: listening, reading, speaking and writing.
Simultaneously, students gain broad knowledge and understanding of the culture, literature and traditions of the vast Arabic-speaking world. The program provides critically needed educational and cultural diversity that enriches students' undergraduate experiences and prepares them for life as employees and employers.
Graduate students in the liberal arts, social sciences and humanities seeking academic or professional careers in any of the three disciplines also benefit from this certificate because of the added advantage the program gives them in the job market, given the demonstrably high need for graduates with knowledge of the Arabic language.
At a Glance: program details
- Location: Tempe campus
- Additional Program Fee: No
- Second Language Requirement: No
Career Opportunities
Graduates who have combined the certificate in Arabic Studies with their major program of study may be more marketable to employers. They often decide to pursue employment in education, political analysis, the military, tourism and hospitality or marketing.
Contact Information
School of International Letters and Cultures | LL 440
silcadvising@asu.edu | 480-965-6281
Program Requirements
Any student accepted into an appropriate degree program at ASU can declare the certificate in Arabic studies. Students should contact an academic advisor in the School of International Letters and Cultures for more information.
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded prior to the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Enrollment Requirements
The Arabic studies certificate requires students to complete 18 credit hours of upper-division coursework. A grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better is required for each course.
Arabic Core (choose three) -- 9 credit hours
- ARB 311: Advanced Arabic Skills I or ARB 411: Advanced Arabic Skills II (G) (3)
- ARB 321: Arabic Conversation I or ARB 421: Arabic Conversation II (3)
- ARB 331: Arabic/Islamic Culture and Literature (HU & H & G) (3)
- ARB 335: Arabic Culture and Islam (G) (3)
- ARB 341: Quran Text and Women (HU & H) or ARB 351: Classical Arabic Literature (HU & G) (3)
- ARB 352: Modern Arabic Literature in Translation (HU & G) or ARB 422: Advanced Arabic Media (G) (3)
Elective Courses (choose three) -- 9 credit hours
Some courses can be used either as a core course or as an elective, but no course can be counted more than once toward certificate requirements.
- ARB 321: Arabic Conversation I (3)
- ARB 335: Arabic Culture and Islam (G) (3)
- ARB 336: Introduction to the Qur'an (G) (3)
- ARB 337: Hadith and Prophetic Tradition (HU & H & G) (3)
- ARB 340: Arabic Translation (3)
- ARB 341: Quran Text and Women (HU & H) (3)
- ARB 351: Classical Arabic Literature (HU & G) (3)
- ARB 352: Modern Arabic Literature in Translation (HU & G) (3)
- ARB 360: Islamic Philosophical Literature (3)
- ARB 421: Arabic Conversation II (3)
- ARB 422: Advanced Arabic Media (G) (3)
- GCU 328: Geography of Middle East and North Africa (SB & G) (3)
- HST 307: Studies in African History (H) (3)
- HST 372: Modern Middle East (SB & G & H) (3)
- REL 365: Islamic Civilization (HU & H) (3)
- REL 366: Islam in the Modern World (HU & G) (3)
Depending on a student's undergraduate program of study, prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
Program Contact Information
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.