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BA in Arabic Studies

Shorelight - American University, United States
BA in Arabic Studies
Next enrollment cycle December 2023 See all cycles
First Year Fee KES 7,937,589
Course Accredited By MSCHE
4 Years On Campus Undergraduate Degree Up to 30% scholarship

The Arabic Program offers skill level courses, ranging from the elementary to the advanced levels, and topics courses introducing the students to key themes, texts, and figures of the modern and premodern Arab world.

  • Our mission is to help students attain proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking the Arabic language. At the same time, since language reflects culture, we work with our students toward a higher degree of cultural proficiency. We achieve our goals through activities introducing the students to culturally authentic materials and by using a variety of resources, tools, and technologies. Arabic communication between instructor and students is a regular feature in our classes. While the primary focus in our courses is on Modern Standard Arabic, we integrate colloquial Arabic (Levantine or Egyptian dialect) into our language instruction at the skill level courses, in order to help our students develop a broader range of conversational skills.

Enrollment Cycles

  • December 2023
  • March 2024
  • July 2024

Entry Requirements

  • Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)
  • Undergraduate AAP 2 Terms B-/8
  • Undergraduate AAPA 2 Terms B-/8
  • Undergraduate EAP 3 Terms B-/8

Bachelor's Degree

  • Undergraduate PS AAP 2 Terms Second Class Honours, Lower C Satisfactory, 55%
  • Undergraduate PS AAPA 2 Terms Second Class Honours, Lower C Satisfactory, 55%
  • Undergraduate PS EAP 3 Terms Second Class Honours, Lower C Satisfactory, 55%

English Requirements Certificate

IELTS

  • PSE (2 Terms) 4.5
  • PSE (1 Term) 5
  • EAP (3 Terms) 5.5 no sub-score below 5.0
  • AAP (2 Terms) 6 With no sub-score below 5.5
  • AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 6.5 With at least one sub-score of 5.5 and no sub- score below 5.5
  • SE (1 Term) 6.5 no sub-score below 6

TOEFL

  • PSE (2 Terms) 50 – 59
  • PSE (1 Term) 60 – 67
  • EAP (3 Terms) 68 no sub-score below 14
  • AAP (2 Terms) 74 with all sub-scores above 15 and at least one sub-score below 20
  • AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 80 with at least one sub-score below 20 but above 17 (minimum subscore required).
  • SE (1 Term) 85 No sub-score below 20

Duolingo

  • PSE (2 Terms) 70
  • PSE (1 Term) 80
  • EAP (3 Terms) 90 No sub-score below 80 (subscores effective Fall 21)
  • AAP (2 Terms) 100 No sub-score below 90 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
  • AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 110 No sub-score below 100 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
  • SE (1 Term) NA

Uganda

  • Advanced Certificate of Education with a minimum of 2 Principal Passing grades of D or higher and at least 1 subsidiary pass in a college preparatory subject. In addition, Uganda Certificate of
  • Education with a C (7) average or higher or General Certificate of Education Level (O Level)
  • Examination Certificate with 5 academic subjects passed is required
  • Undergraduate AAP 2 Terms B5 and C's (2)
  • Undergraduate AAPA 2 Terms B5 C's (2)
  • Undergraduate EAP 3 Terms B5 C's (2)
  • Bachelor's degree, including Bachelor of Medicine or Bachelor of Surgery; Postgraduate and professional diploma or certificate
  • Undergraduate PS AAP 2 Terms 70, Class 2 Honors Upper
  • Undergraduate PS AAPA 2 Terms 70, Class 2 Honors Upper
  • Undergraduate PS EAP 3 Terms 70, Class 2 Honors Upper

English Requirements Certificate

IELTS

  • PSE (2 Terms) 4.5
  • PSE (1 Term) 5
  • EAP (3 Terms) 5.5 no sub-score below 5.0
  • AAP (2 Terms) 6 With no sub-score below 5.5
  • AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 6.5 With at least one sub-score of 5.5 and no sub- score below 5.5
  • SE (1 Term) 6.5 no sub-score below 6

TOEFL

  • PSE (2 Terms) 50 – 59
  • PSE (1 Term) 60 – 67
  • EAP (3 Terms) 68 no sub-score below 14
  • AAP (2 Terms) 74 with all sub-scores above 15 and at least one sub-score below 20
  • AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 80 with at least one sub-score below 20 but above 17 (minimumsubscore required).
  • SE (1 Term) 85 No sub-score below 20

Duolingo

  • PSE (2 Terms) 70
  • PSE (1 Term) 80
  • EAP (3 Terms) 90 No sub-score below 80 (subscores effective Fall 21)
  • AAP (2 Terms) 100 No sub-score below 90 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
  • AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 110 No sub-score below 100 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
  • SE (1 Term) NA

TANZANIA

  • Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE)
  • Undergraduate AAP 2 Terms D/4
  • Undergraduate AAPA 2 Terms D/4
  • Undergraduate EAP 3 Terms D/4

English Requirements Certificate

IELTS

  • PSE (2 Terms) 4.5
  • PSE (1 Term) 5
  • EAP (3 Terms) 5.5 no sub-score below 5.0
  • AAP (2 Terms) 6 With no sub-score below 5.5
  • AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 6.5 With at least one sub-score of 5.5 and no sub- score below 5.5
  • SE (1 Term) 6.5 no sub-score below 6

TOEFL

  • PSE (2 Terms) 50 – 59
  • PSE (1 Term) 60 – 67
  • EAP (3 Terms) 68 no sub-score below 14
  • AAP (2 Terms) 74 with all sub-scores above 15 and at least one sub-score below 20
  • AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 80 with at least one sub-score below 20 but above 17 (minimum subscore required).
  • SE (1 Term) 85 No sub-score below 20

Duolingo

  • PSE (2 Terms) 70
  • PSE (1 Term) 80
  • EAP (3 Terms) 90 No sub-score below 80 (subscores effective Fall 21)
  • AAP (2 Terms) 100 No sub-score below 90 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
  • AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 110 No sub-score below 100 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
  • SE (1 Term) NA

United  Kingdom

  • See GCE criteria
  • Undergraduate AAP 2 Terms GCE
  • Undergraduate AAPA 2 Terms GCE
  • Undergraduate EAP 3 Terms GCE
  • Bachelor's degree; Diploma in Technology or Technological Engineering or Arts and Design
  • Undergraduate PS AAP 2 Terms 60, Second Class (lower division)
  • Undergraduate PS AAPA 2 Terms 60, Second Class (lower division)
  • Undergraduate PS EAP 3 Terms 60, Second Class (lower division)

English Requirements Certificate

IELTS

  • PSE (2 Terms) 4.5
  • PSE (1 Term) 5
  • EAP (3 Terms) 5.5 no sub-score below 5.0
  • AAP (2 Terms) 6 With no sub-score below 5.5
  • AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 6.5 With at least one sub-score of 5.5 and no sub- score below 5.5
  • SE (1 Term) 6.5 no sub-score below 6

TOEFL

  • PSE (2 Terms) 50 – 59
  • PSE (1 Term) 60 – 67
  • EAP (3 Terms) 68 no sub-score below 14
  • AAP (2 Terms) 74 with all sub-scores above 15 and at least one sub-score below 20
  • AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 80 with at least one sub-score below 20 but above 17 (minimum subscore required).
  • SE (1 Term) 85 No sub-score below 20

Duolingo

  • PSE (2 Terms) 70
  • PSE (1 Term) 80
  • EAP (3 Terms) 90 No sub-score below 80 (subscores effective Fall 21)
  • AAP (2 Terms) 100 No sub-score below 90 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
  • AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 110 No sub-score below 100 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
  • SE (1 Term) NA

GCSE/IGCSE/GCE O-LEVEL

  • 5 College Preparatory subjects passed; Students must also meet the GCE A/AS Level
  • requirement after completing IGCSEs
  • Undergraduate AAP 2 Terms C or 4
  • Undergraduate EAP 3 Terms C or 4
  • 5 College Preparatory subjects must be passed; Students must also meet the GCE A/AS Level requirement after completing IGCSEs
  • Undergraduate AAPA 2 Terms C or 4

English Requirements Certificate

  • IELTS
  • PSE (2 Terms) 4.5
  • PSE (1 Term) 5
  • EAP (3 Terms) 5.5 no sub-score below 5.0
  • AAP (2 Terms) 6 With no sub-score below 5.5
  • AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 6.5 With at least one sub-score of 5.5 and no sub- score below 5.5
  • SE (1 Term) 6.5 no sub-score below 6

TOEFL

  • PSE (2 Terms) 50 – 59
  • PSE (1 Term) 60 – 67
  • EAP (3 Terms) 68 no sub-score below 14
  • AAP (2 Terms) 74 with all sub-scores above 15 and at least one sub-score below 20
  • AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 80 with at least one sub-score below 20 but above 17 (minimum subscore required).
  • SE (1 Term) 85 No sub-score below 20

Duolingo

  • PSE (2 Terms) 70
  • PSE (1 Term) 80
  • EAP (3 Terms) 90 No sub-score below 80 (subscores effective Fall 21)
  • AAP (2 Terms) 100 No sub-score below 90 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
  • AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 110 No sub-score below 100 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
  • SE (1 Term) NA

Major Requirements

  • 36 credit hours with grades of C or better, including at least 18 credit hours at or above 300-level
  • Prerequisite: completion of intermediate language level (ARAB-203 Arabic Intermediate II (5) or ARAB-210 Intensive Intermediate Arabic (10))

One of the following field concentrations:

  • 12 credit hours in a second foreign language at any level
  • 12 credit hours in area studies in the major field at or above 300-level
  • Teacher education leading to certification to teach a foreign language at the secondary level
  • An approved minor related to the major field: for example, another language (Chinese Language (Minor), French Language (Minor), German Language (Minor), Japanese Language (Minor), Russian Language (Minor), Spanish Language (Minor)), Anthropology (Minor), Business Administration (Minor), Communication (Minor), Economics (Minor), History (Minor), International Studies (Minor), Literature (Minor), Political Science (Minor), or Sociology (Minor) 

Course Requirements

Required (22 credit hours)
Note: ARAB-302 Advanced Arabic I (4) and ARAB-303 Advanced Arabic II (4) I may be replaced by other courses at or above 300-level if warranted by language proficiency.

  • ARAB-302 Advanced Arabic I (4)
  • ARAB-303 Advanced Arabic II (4)
  • ARAB-304 Levantine Colloquial Arabic I (4)
  • ARAB-305 Levantine Colloquial Arabic II (4)
  • ARAB-425 Introduction to Arabic-Islamic Civilization (3)
  • 3 credit hours of coursework with a significant classical Arabic component approved by advisor

Linguistics (3 credit hours)
Complete 3 credit hours from the following, or other TESL course at or above 400-level approved by advisor:

  • ANTH-225 Language and Human Experience FA1 (3)
  • ANTH-254 Language and Culture (3)
  • TESL-400 Principles of Linguistics (3)
  • Capstone (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours from the following, or other approved course at or above 400-level:

  • ARAB-488 Capstone Project (3) (topics)
  • Electives (8 credit hours)
  • 8 credit hours at or above 400-level in Arabic studies or study abroad courses approved by advisor

Interested in this course?

Our Admissions Counsellors would love to assist!

Craydel