Arabic Program

Master's Degree and Graduate Certificate Programs

Today's dynamic global environment and America's emerging role in the Middle East demand professional skills in Arabic language and culture for government officials, employees of multinational businesses, journalists, and others with interests in the Arabic-speaking world.

Students may select either the 18-credit Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies in Arabic or the 30-credit Master of Professional Studies in Arabic. Both provide full-immersion, content- and task-based courses, taught in Arabic to meet needs in a number of critical areas, including international relations, Arabic media, and Islamic culture. Course content may include topics related to Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Egypt.

Students simulate living in an Arabic-speaking environment by the following means: 20 hours a week of structured language learning experiences, including practice with language partners who are native Arabic speakers; a dedicated Arabic study area filled with Arabic multimedia resources; a variety of visiting speakers; and field trips.

The programs are also part of the National Flagship Language Program. Federally funded NFLP/NSEP students enroll in the program as a cohort and attend full-time (1 year for the certificate and 2 years for the master's degree). New students are admitted only in summer if foundational courses are needed, as determined by pre-admission language testing.

These programs are designed to provide:

Intermediate to advanced Arabic language acquisition skills (students who complete the program are expected to reach ILR level 2+/ACTFL "advanced plus")
Knowledge of language and culture related to real-task applications
Understanding of differences between colloquial and formal speech contexts

Arabic Program - Admissions

Application Deadlines:

The Arabic Program has limited enrollment.

For best consideration apply by January 15, 2009.
Final deadline to apply for Summer 2009: March 1, 2009

Qualifications

The Graduate School requires all admitted graduate students to have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, or the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree in another country. A GPA of 3.0 is required for admission into this program.

Application for the Arabic Program is a 5-step process:

Submit a completed online application:
- Click here to apply for the Graduate Certificate Program (12 Credits)
- Click here to apply for the Master of Professional Studies in Arabic (30 Credits)
Submit the nonrefundable application fee of $60.
Submit a complete set of transcripts reflecting all undergraduate and graduate work elected or in progress. Each transcript must bear the signature of the registrar and the seal of the granting institution and should include the years of attendance, courses taken, grades received, class standing and the degree, certificate or diploma received. If you attended the University of Maryland, College Park the SPOC Office will obtain the records of College Park courses completed.
Submit a current résumé
Submit the Language Skills Test: Prior to admission each student will be pre-tested to gauge her or his level of proficiency in Arabic (reading, listening, and speaking). The minimum required language proficiency required for admission is 1+ (ILR) or Intermediate High (ACTFL). Arrangements for an oral proficiency interview (OPI) by telephone will be made with applicants individually. Reading and listening pre-testing will take place on [date to be announced] at the University of Maryland. If it is more convenient to take this test elsewhere, you must provide the appropriate proctoring information on the Arabic Language Education form, which must be submitted by February 1, 2009.

International students and applicants with foreign credentials must submit academic records in the original language with literal English translations. Allow at least three months for evaluation. TOEFL scores are also required for all international applicants. For information on additional documentation required by International Education Services, click here.

Registration information will be sent upon acceptance into the program.
All materials should be sent to:

By mail:: SPOC - Arabic
1130 Mitchell Building
College Park, MD 20742
By e-mail:: spoc@umd.edu
By fax:: 301-314-7915

Special offer for UM alumni who are members of the Alumni Association! Enjoy a 5% tuition reduction for courses in the Master of Professional Studies (MPS) and Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies (GCPS) programs. To receive this special offer, please complete the Alumni Tuition Application. Not a member? Join today! Click here to apply NOW!

Arabic Program - Courses

Foundational Courses

These courses do not count toward either the GCPS or the MPS in Arabic. Students may be required to take some or all of the following undergraduate-level courses:

ARAB 304/305: Advanced Modern Standard Arabic
This course sequence aims to consolidate and expand the acquisition of more complex grammatical structures as well as vocabulary, develop reading strategies and competence in a wide range of topics, and help increase learners' awareness and understanding of Arab culture through topics related to contemporary Arabic society, history, and literature. (3 credits)

ARAB 306: Intermediate Egyptian Colloquial Arabic I
Covering the spoken variety of Egypt in an extended range of communicative contexts where Egyptian Colloquial and Modern Standard Arabic are certain to merge. (3 credits)

ARAB 307: Intermediate Egyptian Colloquial Arabic II
Covering the spoken variety of Egypt in an extended range of communicative contexts where Egyptian Colloquial and Modern Standard Arabic are certain to merge. Focus is on integrating the Colloquial with the Standard. (3 credits)

ARAB 310: Intermediate Levantine Colloquial Arabic I
Covering the spoken variety of the Levant in an extended range of communicative contexts where Levantine Colloquial and Modern Standard Arabic are certain to merge. (3 credits)

ARAB 311: Intermediate Levantine Colloquial Arabic II
Covering the spoken variety of the Levant in an extended range of communicative contexts where Levantine Colloquial and Modern Standard Arabic are certain to merge. Focus is on integrating the Colloquial with the Standard. (3 credits)

ARAB 330/331/332: Listening Strategies
The sequence is specifically designed to train students to listen to various varieties of Arabic (Modern Standard and Educated Spoken) in different contexts. This course trains students to recognize these features, gives them the rules needed to decipher the interaction among these varieties, and provides them with the listening strategies they need to perform at the Superior level. (3 credits)

Courses required for both the GCPS and MPS in Arabic (18 graduate credits):

ARAB 603: Advanced Arabic into English Translation
This course is an in-depth practicum in translation from Arabic into English. It uses a presentation, discussion, and workshop format to explore the complexities of translation as an exercise of textual interpretation and linguistic transformation. (3 credits)

ARAB 604: Arabic /English Interpreting
This course is an advanced practicum in oral interpretation from Arabic into English. It uses a presentation, discussion, and workshop format to explore the complexities of oral interpretation as an exercise of cross linguistic transformation. It includes training in on-sight, consecutive, and simultaneous interpretation. (3 credits)

ARAB 610: Islamic Culture
Examines core topics related to Islamic culture and society. By the end of this course, students will have acquired mastery of the research tools necessary to analyze and synthesize primary source information in Arabic about Islamic culture as well as the fundamental concepts required to interpret Islamic culture in context. Course discussions take place in Arabic. (3 credits)

ARAB 628A: Special Topics in Arabic Studies: Egypt and Syria
From a comparative vantage point, this course focuses on both common and unique problems facing Egypt and Syria. By the end of this course, students will gain analytical knowledge of the inter-relationship between history and current affairs in two major Arab countries, Syria and Egypt. Course readings and discussions take place in Arabic. (3 credits)

ARAB 640: Socio-political Issues in Contemporary Arab Societies
This course examines a number of problematic socio-political issues facing contemporary Arab societies, ranging from differences in the political systems, inter-Arab dynamics, the economic impacts of globalization, through pressure for westernization in such areas as democratic state institutions, women's rights and human rights, to the role of religion in government and law. Throughout this course, students increasingly gain an in depth understanding of the social and political parameters permeating today's Arab society. Course readings and discussions take place in Arabic. (3 credits)

ARAB 650: The Arab World and Contemporary International Relations
This course examines the political interests and diplomatic positions of Arabic-speaking countries in the contemporary international context. By the end of this course, students will gain a better understanding of the multiplicity of forces interacting and competing within the Arab World to influence its relations with the world community. Course readings and discussions take place in Arabic. (3 credits)

Courses required for the MPS in Arabic (12 graduate credits):

ARAB 628B: Special Topics in Arabic Studies
In-depth study of a particular aspect of Arabic Studies. (3-6 credits)

ARAB 638: Special Topics in Middle Eastern Studies
In-depth study of a particular aspect of Middle Eastern Studies. (3-6 credits)

ARAB 788: Internship in Arabic
Field and/or professional experience in the student's area of interest in a public or private institution where Arabic is the language of work. (3 credits)

ARAB 789: Independent Study in Arabic
Independent study in Arabic as arranged between a graduate faculty member and student. (3 credits)

Arabic Program - Calendar

Summer 2008

ARAB 206: Elementary Egyptian Colloquial I (Foundational)
ARAB 210: Elementary Levantine Colloquial I (Foundational)
ARAB 304/ARAB 305: Advanced Modern Standard Arabic (Foundational)
ARAB 330: Listening Strategies I (Foundational)
ARAB 603: Advanced Arabic into English Translation (GCPS & MPS)

Fall 2008

ARAB 307: Intermediate Egyptian Colloquial Arabic II (Foundational)
ARAB 311: Intermediate Levantine Colloquial Arabic II (Foundational)
ARAB 331: Listening Strategies (Foundational)
ARAB 610: Islamic Culture (GCPS & MPS)
ARAB 628A: Special Topics in Arabic Studies: Egypt and Syria (GCPS & MPS)

Spring 2009

ARAB 306: Intermediate Egyptian Colloquial Arabic I (Foundational)
ARAB 310-ARS1: Intermediate Levantine Colloquial Arabic I (Foundational)
ARAB 332: Listening Strategies (Foundational)
ARAB 604: Arabic /English Interpreting (GCPS & MPS)
ARAB 640: Socio-political Issues in Contemporary Arab Societies (GCPS & MPS)
ARAB 650: The Arab World and Contemporary International Relations (GCPS & MPS)

Arabic Program - Tuition & Fees

Current charges (subject to campus approval)

Application Fee:	$60 (nonrefundable)
Tuition:	$1,800 per course
SPOC Fee:	$40 per semester
Mandatory Fee:	$539.35 for full-time students (9 or more credits) $317.25 for part-time (up to 8 credits)

Supplies:

Supplies will vary by course and are not included in the tuition and fees listed here.

Late Registration Fee:

A late registration fee of $20 is charged to any student who registers for their first class on or after the first day the class meets.

Parking Fees:

Click here to access the Department of Transportation Services Web site for parking permit information. Parking permits are NOT required on campus for classes that begin after 4 p.m.

Please visit Billing and Payment for other important financial details.

Please Note: Although changes in tuition and fees are ordinarily announced in advance, the University reserves the right to make such changes without previous announcement.