​​​​​​Creating Global Professionals

What is the Arabic Flagship Program at UT? 

The Arabic Flagship Program (AFP) is a merit-based undergraduate course of study designed for learners of Arabic who seek to achieve professional working proficiency while pursuing the majors of their choice. Flagship students study Arabic throughout their domestic studies at UT Austin before pursuing the AFP Capstone Year in Meknes, Morocco with the goal of reaching Superior proficiency.

Why Study Arabic?

Arabic is one of the world’s major languages, and one of the five official languages of the United Nations. Spoken by close to 300 million people, it is the official language of nearly 20 countries. The knowledge of Arabic opens doors to the modern Arab world as well as to a rich and diverse world culture. In recent decades, it is foremost on the minds of political, business, and educational leaders, reflecting the nation’s need for expertise in Arabic language and culture.

What is the Language Flagship?

The Language Flagship is a national effort to change the way Americans learn languages. Flagship offers language programs at schools across the United States for undergraduate students in critical languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, and Russian. Designed as a network of programs, The Language Flagship seeks to graduate students who will take their place among the next generation of global professionals, commanding a professional level of proficiency in a language critical to U.S. national security and economic competitiveness.

Why “professional proficiency”?

College graduates with professional proficiency in Arabic can immediately apply for competitive, high-level jobs in multiple sectors, including federal service, national security, non-governmental organizations (NGO’s), and beyond. 

Why apply to be an Arabic Flagship Scholar?

 AFP scholars become part of a tight-knit Arabic language learning community at UT Austin, supported by a dedicated instructional team. They enjoy numerous educational and professional opportunities including:

• Arabic Tutors—tailored, individual support with native speakers and/or advanced learners outside of class
• Language Partners—weekly conversation sessions native speakers of Arabic to enhance speaking skills
• Fully-funded Intensive Summer Language Study—tuition to attend intensive summer Arabic programs at distinguished U.S. universities (including UT Austin’s own Arabic Summer Institute)
• Summer Study Abroad—summer funding for intensive Arabic study abroad in Morocco, Jordan, and other Arabic-speaking countries
• Capstone Year in Morocco—The Language Flagship’s signature program, AFP students at UT undertake a year of intensive Arabic study in Meknes, Morocco at the Arab American Language Institute in Morocco (AALIM). Read more about Capstone at the link
• Cultural Immersion—broaden your vocabulary and deepen your intercultural understanding beyond the classroom through cultural events (concerts, workshops, and lectures featuring local community members) conducted fully in Arabic
• Alumni Connections—join an international network of scholars and professionals working with Arabic and benefit from numerous networking opportunities.

What will the path to Superior proficiency in Arabic look like for me?

AFP is designed to work with any major at UT Austin. As an AFP scholar, you will enroll in an Arabic course each semester that you participate in our program. You will be tested at the end of each academic year so that our teaching team can assess your progress and advise next steps. Ideally, you will enhance your learning by undertaking fully funded intensive summer study. See here for the many curricular pathways through our program.

What is Capstone?

The Flagship Capstone is a year (12 months) of overseas intensive Arabic study and professional development at the Arab American Language Institute In Morocco (AALIM) in Meknes, Morocco. Through full immersion in the daily life, language, and culture of Morocco, in addition to internships and work opportunities, students not only develop to professional proficiency in Arabic; they also gain a deep understanding of the Arab region more generally. Read more about the Capstone year here.