Arabic

Ranked among the world's most commonly spoken languages, spoken by more than 313 million people worldwide, and the liturgical language of Islam, there is a high demand for Arabic speakers in the USA. The Arabic program at The Less-Commonly-Taught Languages Center, Department of Linguistics, offers students courses that help them achieve proficiency in the written and spoken varieties of the languages, as well as acquaint them with the linguistics, culture, and literature of the Arab world. The program consists of three years of a combination of Modern Standard Arabic and the Egyptian or Levantine dialect. Content courses, offered both in Arabic and English, include linguistics, literature, culture, and cinema. Students in the Arabic program could pursue an undergraduate certificate in the Arabic Language and Linguistics that helps qualify them in the fields of diplomacy, business, intelligence, or linguistics, in the USA or overseas.

Courses Offered

Six levels of Arabic instruction are offered at the University of Pittsburgh. For more information, please click here.

Why Study Arabic?

  • Arabic is considered a critical language by the U.S. Department of State
  • Knowing Arabic will help you communicate in over 22 different countries!
  • To understand a language and culture different than your own

Use Arabic to Earn Pitt Credentials 

What do students say?

I've met some of the most important people in my life in the Arabic program at Pitt, from instructors and classmates to colleagues and now students. We're a family that's always looking to build each other up and push ourselves to be better selves and global citizens, and I'm proud to say "ahlayn" whenever I get the chance.  -Anthony, '15