California University of Pennsylvania will become the first state-owned school to offer a four-year degree in Arabic language and culture, and will offer the degree online to students at the other 13 state-owned universities.
The State System of Higher Education’s board of governors approved the new major last week.
It will be offered through the school in California, Pa. beginning in the fall.
State system spokesman Kenn Marshall tells the Observer-Reporter in Washington, Pa. that the degree is being offered because of a “super-critical” need for Arab-speaking employees in federal agencies, including the FBI.
Students who take the program at other state schools will complete 30 core credits through California U. while completing general education courses at their home school.
