Arabic Major
Why Study Arabic at Virginia Tech?
You will work with award-winning faculty members, connect with conversation partners and peer tutors, and engage with various Middle East related student organizations. Activities such as scholarly lectures, musical performances, Arabic Film Night, Arabic Coffee Hour, and other cultural events are available regularly. Virginia Tech’s proximity to Washington D.C. makes access to internships in the Federal Government, Intelligence Community, and Non-Governmental Organizations common among our students.
17:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
9
Arabic Language and Cultural Groups
Oman
Study Abroad Program
Montana Koslowski, '20
Montana is working as a Source Strategy Analyst for the Department of Defense while attending the George Washington University's Elliot School of International Affairs to pursue her M.A. in Middle East Studies. She plans to get a Ph.D. in History, with a focus on modern Middle East history, and work for the US Department of State.
Ally Miller, '18
Ally found working closely with her Arabic professors provided a deeper understanding of the language and culture of the region. This experience encouraged her to incorporate multicultural issues in her graduate coursework in forensic psychology.
Andrés Morana, '16
Andrés credits his professors who encouraged him to participate in the many experiences that have supported him in his career in public service. He completed several study abroad programs, learning and researching in Morocco, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Jordan, Oman, and France. These immersive experiences were integral to Andrés' mastery of Arabic and local dialects. After serving in the military, Andrés now works for NJI Media as a project manager and has been awarded a Fulbright Research Grant to study in Jordan.
Nala Chehade, '18
Nala completed undergraduate research on contemporary Arabic novels from Sudan and Egypt, as well as Beirut graffiti. She also traveled to Oman and the UAE to study Arabic. These experiences prepared Nala to use the skills of curiosity, flexibility, and self-awareness during work as an immigration paralegal.
Laamia Khatib, '18
Laamia is currently working as an early childhood educator. She uses knowledge acquired from minoring in Arabic in her classroom by providing weekly supplementary early Arabic exposure for young children.
Sabrina Bachert, '18
Sabrina is currently a First Lieutenant in the United States Army serving as an Executive Officer. For Sabrina, being a student of Arabic language was the most rewarding part of her educational experience. Studying Arabic at Virginia Tech and participating in the program’s extra-curricular activities helped shape the way she learns and communicates today and has opened doors for her professionally.
Careers and Further Study
What Can You Do with a major in Arabic?
Jobs Held by Our Graduates
- Consultancy
- Foreign Service
- Translation
- Teaching and Research
- Diplomacy
- Public Relations
- Journalism
- Advertising
- Cultural Programming and Outreach
- International Business
- International Development
Beyond the Classroom
Experiential Learning
Several student clubs organize events to help you explore the Arab world in all its diversity. They provide exciting opportunities for linguistic and cultural immersion and encourage cross-cultural understanding. The clubs organize a variety of educational and fun cultural events; including Arabic conversation tables, lectures, films, and artistic performances. You will meet students from all over the Arab world, including Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Oman, Libya, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Sudan.
As you complete undergraduate research, you'll have opportunities to work with award-winning faculty members with research and teaching interests in literature and cultural studies, linguistics, education, political science, and anthropology. Recent student research projects focused on graffiti in the Arab world, women and war, cinema, and international policy.
Come spend your summer in the historical city of Nizwa! Study Arabic at Nizwa University, visit many regions in Oman, and explore the beautiful coastal city of Muscat.
This 5 week program allows you to deepen your understanding of Arabic culture, practice your written and oral communication, and participate in a once in a lifetime learning experience!
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Access our free peer-tutoring service, as well as a conversation partner program, that allows you to converse with native speakers from all over the Arab world.
The best way to practice your Arabic is to talk with native speakers. Since Arabic is a critical language of strategic importance, there are increasing opportunities for funding that will allow you to study Arabic in an immersive environment in the Middle East.
Our students have won prestigious scholarships, including the Fulbright, Gilman, Critical Language Scholarship, and the Boren Scholarship.
Project Global Officer, better known as Project GO, promotes critical language education, study abroad, and intercultural dialogue opportunities for Reserve Officer Training Corps students.
Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages Degree
- Including Virginia Tech's Pathways
Arabic Major Requirements
- Arabic for Oral Proficiency
- Media Arabic
- Arab Culture and Civilization
- Topics in Arab Cinema
- Modern Arabic Literature in Translation
- Research in Arab Culture
Minor and Elective Hours
Our program gives you the opportunity to build knowledge in another area by pursuing a minor, double major, or cognate.
120 hrs
B.A. Foreign Languages
45 hrs
General Education
36 hrs
Major Requirements
39 hrs
Elective
Campus Life
Campus Life
Discover all that Virginia Tech has to offer inside and outside of the classroom. Our campus life aims to build communities, promote holistic education, and cultivate environments that offer opportunities for leadership, innovation, and service.