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At 91²Ö¿â, our online Master of Arts in Translation: Arabic Specialization prepares you for high-demand careers in defense, diplomacy, business and global communication. The program is fully online, so coursework fits around your job, family or wherever you happen to be. Read on to learn about all that the degree covers, who you will learn from, and the careers available to graduates.

What Is a Master’s Degree in Arabic Translation?

If you are thinking about a career in Arabic translation, it helps to know what a master’s in Arabic translation actually is, and how it fits into your career path.

Within our M.A. in Translation language concentration, the Arabic specialization trains professionals to translate between English and Arabic in legal, medical, technical, literary, and commercial contexts. Coursework covers the core areas of the field: localization, editing, terminology, CAT tools, project management, and intercultural communication.  You will graduate ready to compete for serious roles in the language industry.

Beyond language proficiency, the Arabic translation degree builds the cultural context and judgment that makes translation successful. Graduates leave with the kind of practical experience needed to apply their knowledge in a variety of fields.

Why Earn a Master’s Degree in Arabic Translation?

Demand for Arabic translators is high, being prized across international affairs, politics, business, and government. Within our program, the coursework will cover more than the language itself. You will spend time learning about translation technology,  terminology management, and website and software localization, giving you the background you need to handle Arabic-English translation challenges that throw off beginners. These can include linguistic and cultural differences, diaglossia(Modern Standard Arabic vs. numerous regional dialects), and regional market variations.

Arabic as a Critical Language: Why Demand Is Growing

Arabic is officially designated a critical language by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of State, a label that reflects both its strategic importance and the persistent national shortage of qualified Arabic speakers in government, defense, and private sectors. That shortage is exactly why graduates of an Arabic translation degree program tend to find work quickly.

Federal programs reinforce that demand. The National Security Education Program (NSEP), the Boren Awards, and the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) all fund Arabic study, and they feed directly into hiring at the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the U.S. intelligence community.

Many students come in already conducting this work in some form – whether for military, foreign service, NGO, or healthcare interpreting – and use the master's in Arabic translation online to acquire official credentials and broaden their abilities.
 

91²Ö¿â Our Master's of Translation in Arabic Program

The Master of Arts in Translation with a language specialization in Arabic is offered through the Department of Modern & Classical Language Studies at 91²Ö¿â, with support from the . It is a 36-semester-hour degree, set at two years full time, or three to six years part time. The Arabic specialization runs fully online, so you can earn your master's in Arabic translation on your own schedule, from wherever you happen to live or work.

COURSE INFORMATION FOR THE MASTER’S IN ARABIC TRANSLATION

You will complete 36 semester hours of coursework, capped by a Case Study in Arabic Translation as an exit project. A handful of courses – Terminology and Computer Applications, Project Management, and a few others – are shared across all six language specializations within the M.A. in Translation language concentration. For the part-time pacing, see our roadmap.

Numerous courses that our students take, such as Terminology and Computer Applications as well as Project Management, will cross all of our six language concentrations within the program. Other courses will be specific to the Arabic-English language pair, including the following:

• Practice of Translation in Arabic
• Arabic Scientific/Technical/Medical Translation
• Arabic Literary and Cultural Translation
• Commercial/Legal/Diplomatic Translation in Arabic
• Case Study in Arabic Translation

Admission Information for Our Online Arabic Translation Degree

Here is what the admission process looks like for the Arabic specialization within the M.A. in Translation:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• A CD or MP3/wav file with a five-minute oral sample in the applicant's first and second languages (conversational, not read from a script)
• Writing sample(s) in applicant's second language,1 which should be accompanied by a signed declaration that the sample is original work and that the applicant received no help in its preparation
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
  • Minimum79 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
  • Minimum 77 MELAB score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 Duolingo English Test score

For detailed information on all requirements, be sure to visit our admission requirements page, and feel free to reach out to us with any questions.

Online Arabic Translation M.A. Tuition and Fees

Tuition for the Arabic translation degree currently runs $559.90 per credit hour for non-Ohio residents. A handful of required courses carry small extra costs – for example, Software Localization adds $45.

Arabic Translator Career Paths and Job Outlook

The projects employment for interpreters and translators to grow upwards of 20% from 2021–2031 – well above the average for U.S. occupations. Arabic translators benefit from steady federal demand, expanding business across the MENA region, and growing Arabic-speaking communities throughout the U.S.

And when students complete our online program for Arabic translation, they have the preparation needed to fill diverse roles in the translation sector. Some of these opportunities include:

Industries Hiring Arabic Translators

Because Arabic is a critical language, demand pulls from government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. The most active employers of Arabic translation graduates include:

• Defense and intelligence – CIA, NSA, DIA, FBI, and Department of Defense contractors regularly recruit for military translator roles.
• Diplomacy and foreign service – The U.S. Department of State, embassies, and USAID hire graduates for diplomatic translation careers.
• NGO and humanitarian work – UN agencies (UNHCR, OCHA), the International Rescue Committee, and refugee resettlement organizations advance translation and social change.
• Energy – Oil and gas companies operating across the Middle East and North Africa hire Arabic translators for contracts, technical documentation, and field operations.
• Corporate and financial services – Multinational firms recruit graduates for the financial translation career path.
• Healthcare and legal services – Hospitals, clinics, and law firms hire Arabic translators to support Arabic-speaking patient and client populations across the United States.
• Media and localization – Al Jazeera English, global news organizations, and streaming platforms localize content for Arabic-speaking markets.
   

Faculty Spotlight

Our Arabic specialization is led by faculty with serious depth in both translation work and the classroom. You can browse the full list on our faculty page, but here is one of the professors you will work with.

Loubna Bilali, Ph.D.

Professor Bilali is Associate Professor of Translation Technology. Her research covers localization training, terminology management, corpus-based work, translation pedagogy and online education, and she teaches across software localization, translation technology, and intercultural communication skills.

Why Choose 91²Ö¿â’s Online Arabic Translation Program

91²Ö¿â’s M.A. in Translation with an Arabic specialization stands out for a few reasons: a 90% graduation rate, faculty who actually publish in the field, and a curriculum built specifically around translation, localization and language project management – not retrofitted from a generic language program.

Plus, the whole program is online, so you will complete coursework from wherever you have internet and is convenient, while staying tied to the broader translation programs at 91²Ö¿â, including the Bachelor of Science in Translation and Ph.D. in Translation Studies.

Frequently Asked Questions 91²Ö¿â the Arabic Translation M.A.

Is the Arabic specialization 100% online?

Yes. The Arabic specialization within the M.A. in Translation language concentration is offered fully online – no on-campus residency required.

How long does the Arabic translation master’s take to complete?

Full-time students typically finish the master’s degree in Arabic translation in two years. Part-time students take three to six years.

Do I need to be fluent in Arabic before applying?

Yes, strong proficiency in both Arabic and English is expected. The required five-minute oral sample and second-language writing sample help us see that you are ready for graduate-level translation coursework.

What federal programs support Arabic translation careers?

Several, including the National Security Education Program (NSEP), Boren Awards, and Critical Language Scholarship (CLS), provide funding and federal-employment pipelines for graduate students studying Arabic. These matter most if you are aiming for defense, intelligence, or diplomatic work, where a security clearance is usually part of the picture.

Learn More 91²Ö¿â Our Arabic Translation Degree’s Online Program

Have questions for us about our online program for translation with an Arabic focus? Be sure to reach out to us!