What Can You Do with an Arabic Certificate or Degree

When you learn to speak, write, and read in Arabic, you gain access to a world of exciting and well-paid career opportunities. In fact, the job market for bilingual Arabic speakers is rapidly expanding, and there are more jobs available than there are candidates to fill them. 

An online Arabic degree or an online Arabic certificate from PennWest California will prepare you for a wide range of in-demand positions that require knowledge of Arabic. All of our Arabic courses are taught by native Arabic speakers, and they focus on Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), the most versatile and useful form of the language. You also will have options to learn Egyptian and Levantine dialects, depending on your interests and career goals.

Above and beyond language skills, at PennWest California you’ll gain knowledge of Arabic culture. This will help you to build successful business relationships and create mutual trust — two invaluable advantages in the Arab world.

So what can you do with an Arabic degree or certificate? Explore your career options with this handy list of jobs for Arabic degree and certificate graduates. Many PennWest California alumni have gone on to successful careers in these fields.

Communications Careers for Arabic Speakers 

Work in the United States or abroad as a reporter or foreign correspondent breaking news stories and following key developments in Arabic-speaking countries and communities. A PennWest California Arabic certificate or degree can also prepare you for work as a translator or interpreter for media companies, international corporations, non-governmental organizations and more.

According to Payscale.com, Arabic translators earn an average salary of $83,038. Job openings are also particularly high in this field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 29% job growth for interpreters and translators from 2014 to 2024.

International Finance Careers for Arabic Speakers 

With the Arabic language skills and cultural insights you’ll learn in PennWest California’s online Arabic degree and online Arabic certificate programs, you’ll be well positioned to start a career in international banking.  Many banks and bank clients who do business internationally are in need of Arabic speakers to help manage and execute their initiatives in the Middle East and Africa. These regions are experiencing rapid development within the banking industry, which translates into many exciting and challenging job opportunities.

Read on to learn more about what can you do with an Arabic certificate or degree.

Corporate Careers for Arabic Speakers 

Start a career as a contract consultantor corporate consultant, helping international companies make deals with Arabic businesses. Or find work as a political risk analyst, gathering information about Arab countries to determine investment risks in various regions. The Arabic language skills you learn in PennWest California’s online Arabic degree and certificate programs can also help you secure a job as a legal assistant for law firms who work with Arabic companies or clients. 

Jobs in Industry for Arabic Speakers 

From managing relationships with oil companies to analyzing market trends for export companies, an online Arabic certificate or online Arabic degree can give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs in industry both in the United States and abroad.  

Education Careers for Arabic Speakers 

A PennWest California degree or certificate in Arabic is a great credential to have if you want to pursue teaching positions. You can start working immediately as a private tutor, add a certificate to your teaching degree teach Arabic at the middle or high school level, or continue on to earn a master’s degree in Arabic to pursue teaching opportunities at the college level.

Government Jobs for Arabic Speakers 

Arabic has been designated as a critical language by the U.S. government, which means bilingual Arabic speakers are in high demand, particularly in national security, economic and humanitarian initiatives. An online Arabic certificate or online Arabic degree from PennWest California can help you land jobs such as:

  • Government relations specialist.
  • Foreign-service officer. 
  • Government translator.
  • Government interpreter.
  • Development program officer.
  • Intelligence analyst.

Click here to learn more about government jobs for Arabic speakers

Are you ready to take the first step toward one of these amazing careers for bilingual Arabic speakers? Apply to PennWest California today!

A student in the arabic languages and cultures program at PennWest California studies by a window.

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