Top 10 Reasons to Get An Arabic Certificate or Degree
An online Arabic degree or online Arabic certificate is a great investment in your future. From gaining access to the plentiful career opportunities for Arabic speakers to broadening your world with cultural insights and travel opportunities, here are the top 10 reasons to study Arabic online in an accredited program, like the online Arabic certificate or bachelor’s degree programs offered at PennWest California.
1. Arabic is Widely Used
A bachelor’s degree or certificate in Arabic will give you the ability to communicate in one of the world’s most widely used languages. With over 422 million Arabic speakers, Arabic is among the six most widely spoken languages around the globe. According to UNESCO, Arabic is considered the mother tongue and official language of 22 countries. It is also an official language of the United Nations, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the African Union. As the language of Islam, Arabic is used by more than 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide. That’s a lot of potential friends and colleagues to connect with!
2. Arabic is a Critical Language
Arabic is among the languages that the U.S. government had declared as critical to national security, economic competitiveness and human capital development. This means there are many exciting and important career opportunities for Arabic speakers in government, military, business, and humanitarian roles. This also means that a bachelor’s degree or certificate in Arabic can make you eligible for government scholarships, such as the Critical Language Scholarship or the National Security Education Program.
3. Arabic Degree Perks for Military and Veterans
An Arabic bachelor’s degree program, like the one offered at PennWest California, is a great option for active members of the military and veterans. PennWest California’s Arabic degree and certificate programs are offered 100% online, which means you can complete your studies from wherever you are, even if you’re currently deployed. PennWest California also makes it easy for members of the military to transfer credits. If you have earned an associate degree in Modern Standard Arabic from the Defense Language Institute, you can transfer 45 credits toward a PennWest California bachelor’s degree in Arabic.
4. Scholarships and Study Abroad Opportunities
When you pursue an online Arabic certificate or degree program, you are also opening the door to exciting immersion experiences in Arabic-speaking countries, as well as scholarships and other funding opportunities that can help you achieve your dreams and goals. In addition to the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) and the National Security Education Program listed in #3 of the top 10 reasons above, studying Arabic at PennWest California can make you eligible for the Eslbeth Santee Scholarship for the study of modern languages, and Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education scholarships like the Salam scholarship, the Boren scholarship and the Gilman Scholarship Program.
Read on to learn more about the top 10 reasons to get an Arabic certificate or degree.
5. Arabic is in High Demand
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for bilingual Arabic-speaking professionals in the United States exceeds the supply, and the job growth for Arabic interpreters and translators is estimated at a whopping 29% between 2014 and 2024. Learning Arabic language skills through PennWest California’s online Arabic degree or certificate program will open doors to a wealth of careers in translation, interpretation, public policy, economic development, international relations, journalism, social work, human rights, immigrant advocacy, business and education. And when you take your Arabic studies even further by earning a master’s degree , you’ll be prepared to pursue even more amazing jobs.
6. Authentic Travel Opportunities
In PennWest California’s online Arabic degree and certificate programs you’ll gain mastery of both Arabic language and Arabic culture. This knowledge will make it possible for you to travel to countries like Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon and many more throughout the Middle East and Africa with the ability not only to communicate effectively, but to really connect with the people you meet.
7. Access to a Growing Economy
The Arab world has a rapidly growing population and it boasts a GDP of over $600 billion annually. The integration of the Arabic-speaking countries into the global economy is opening up many new business opportunities in areas such as construction, finance, telecommunications and tourism. You can be a part of this booming economic growth with the skills taught in the online Arabic degree and certificate programs at PennWest California. Understanding Arabic culture and language are essential to doing business, building relationships and creating mutual trust.
8. Insight into Arabic Culture
At PennWest California, we take pride in the fact that our online Arabic degree and certificate programs go beyond language learning to give you comprehensive insights into Arabic culture. Geography, religion, cuisine and multiculturalism are just a few of the many topics that will be integrated into your Arabic curriculum at PennWest California. The knowledge you will gain by pursuing a bachelor’s degree or certificate will enable you to be a well-informed and well-rounded professional who has the cultural sensitivity and global mindset to thrive in todays interconnected world.
9. Arabic Is a Bridge to Other Languages
At PennWest California, our online Arabic certificate and online Arabic degree will teach you to competently speak and read in Arabic, even if you don’t know a word of the language when you start the program. And did you know that understanding Arabic can help you learn many other languages as well? About 50% of the vocabulary in Persian (a.k.a. Farsi) is made up of Arabic words, and Arabic can also be an advantage if you want to learn Urdu or Turkish. Even Hebrew can be easier to tackle if you have Arabic under your belt, as the two languages share many grammatical and semantic concepts.
10. Arabic is Fascinating
Studying Arabic will open up an entire world of knowledge and history for you to explore. Whether you’re interested in science, medicine, philosophy, architecture, literature or astrology, Arabic contributions to these fields are extensive. Knowledge of the Arabic language will enable you to explore vast bodies of knowledge in their original language. It will also give you access to the great stores of information from other cultures that have been preserved over the centuries in Arabic libraries. From books like 1001 Nights to the origins of algebra, there’s something that will captivate everyone in Arabic.
Are these top 10 reasons to get an Arabic certificate or degree compelling to you? Start on your amazing journey of learning Arabic at PennWest California. Apply to our online Arabic certificate or online Arabic degree program today!
What Can You Do with an Arabic Certificate of Degree
Whether you want to work in the US or abroad, a world of exciting opportunities can be pursued with an Arabic certificate or degree.
Top 10 Reasons to Get An Arabic Master's Degree
Are you ready to take your Arabic studies to the next level? Check out the benefits of earning a graduate degree with a concentration in Arabic.
What Can You Do with an Arabic Master's Degree
The further you take your Arabic studies, the more career opportunities you’ll have. Learn about the top jobs you can pursue with a master’s degree om social science with a concentration in Arabic.
Government jobs for Arabic Speakers
State and Federal Arabic Careers
The U.S. government is actively recruiting bilingual Arabic speakers. Which job will you pursue?