A group of Arabic Master's students at Bennington.

The Master in Arabic, established in 2012, engages teachers, specialists, and scholars with high degrees of fluency in the Arabic language and Arab culture.

Work alongside some of the most focused and directed students of Arabic and Arab culture, with a dedicated faculty from leading institutions around the world. Our faculty bring with them years of experience in Arabic language instruction and rich cultural backgrounds as diverse as their geographic and linguistic communities of origin.

Format

Students can complete their degree over four 6-week summers in Bennington, Vermont. The four summer sessions in Bennington do not need to be consecutive. Graduate students can complete their master’s degree in up to 10 years. Each track includes units equivalent to three semester course hours at a regular academic-year program. To earn a master’s degree, students must successfully complete a total of 12 units in the appropriate areas within a 10-year period.

After the initial summer, master’s degree candidates may transfer up to three courses toward the degree. A transfer course must meet certain requirements and be approved in advance (before the course is taken) by the director and registrar. 

Academic Tracks

The master’s program offers two academic tracks. In each track, students enhance their academic writing skills as they engage in research projects and produce scholarly papers in Arabic.

General Arabic Studies Track

The general track in Arabic studies features in-language coursework on topics in literature, history, religion, popular culture and art, and contemporary politics and society (including current events). Academic requirements include the following:

  • 3 units in Arabic language and linguistics
  • 3 units in literature
  • 3 units in civilization, culture, and society
  • 3 elective units

Arabic Language Pedagogy Track

The Arabic language pedagogy track focuses on Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language (TAFL), combining advanced coursework in Arabic and Arabic linguistics with training in second language acquisition, modern teaching methods, language assessment, classroom technology, and related areas. The Arabic pedagogy track is suitable for both current and prospective teachers of Arabic, at the primary, secondary, and college levels. Academic requirements include the following:

  • 5 units in Arabic linguistics and/or pedagogy
  • 3 units in literature, civilization, culture, and society
  • 1 unit of language practicum
  • 3 elective units

Curriculum

Our sophisticated authentic reading and listening materials use the language of educated Arabs: a mixture of Modern Standard Arabic and dialect. Students immerse themselves in Arabic and Arab culture through academic work, the Language Pledge®, and participation in cocurricular activities.

Eligibility

Graduate degrees are for students who have already acquired graduate-level proficiency in their language and have generally studied their language for four years or longer, unless they are native speakers. Applicants who will not hold a BA, or who plan to attend for one summer only for professional development, should select the 6-week non-degree program. The GRE is not required. See additional Arabic application instructions.

Funding

Thanks to the support of generous donors (including many Language Schools alumni) and Middlebury’s commitment to provide an opportunity for as many students as possible, we are pleased to offer significant need-based financial aid and merit-based fellowships and scholarships for graduate students.

Career Outcomes

Students who earn a graduate degree in Arabic pursue rewarding careers and opportunities in a range of fields:

  • Doctoral programs
  • Teaching or academic administration
  • Social work
  • Speech and language pathology
  • Government
  • Nonprofit organizations