Arabic is spoken by over 300 million people in over twenty Arab countries and in diaspora communities around the world. 

In addition, Arabic is the language of scripture, prayer, and religious study for over a billion Muslims. Arabic is the language of a rich literary heritage that began in the 6th century CE and continues to flourish across the Arab World in contemporary times, the Qur'an and Islamic studies, a major tradition of history, science, and thought, and many important initiatives in business and development.

UC Davis currently offers three years of Arabic (elementary, intermediate, and advanced level) and students may request independent studies at more advanced levels. Instruction is in Modern Standard Arabic with a component of colloquial Arabic that integrates listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students of Arabic will also find a wide range of courses on cultures of the Arab world at UC Davis. Learning Arabic can be a rewarding and useful part of preparation for a wide range of careers in the private, public, or non-profit sectors.