The B.A. in Linguistics provides a scientific exploration into the study of human language. Throughout the major, students are exposed to courses that outline the theoretical foundations in this field as well as practical application of problem-solving in linguistics. The goal of the linguistics major is to gain a better understanding of what human language is, how we learn it, and how we use it. The major surveys a number of core subfields in linguistics, including sounds (phonetics), sound systems (phonology), sentence structure (syntax), and meaning formation (semantics/pragmatics). In a series of required and elective courses, students will develop strong analytical skills relevant for career paths in language research, technology, education, business, as well as clinical applications such as speech language pathology.
Why major in Linguistics?
Linguistics offers a blend of scientific inquiry and interdisciplinary exploration, appealing to those with a passion for language, cognition, and culture. For those with a curiosity about language and its role in shaping the human experience, linguistics offers a rewarding journey of discovery and insight. Students with a major in linguistics find careers in fields such as research, technology, education, and speech pathology.
For details about this program, including program description, admission requirements, and contact information, click here.
Unless otherwise noted, 120 credits of coursework is required for a baccalaureate degree with a minimum 2.0 overall GPA, and a minimum 2.0 major GPA.
Degree Requirements Overview
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SEEDS General Education Requirements | 30-33 | |
| New Student Seminar | 1 | |
| Major Requirements | 36-37 | |
| Free Electives | 53-49 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| LNGN 210 | Introduction to General Linguistics | 3 |
| LNGN 220 | Structure of American English | 3 |
| LNGN 230 | Language in Society | 3 |
| or LNGN 245 | Language and Culture | |
| LNGN 300 | Syntax | 3 |
| LNGN 301 | Semantics | 3 |
| or LNGN 302 | Pragmatics | |
| LNGN 331 | Phonetics | 3 |
| LNGN 332 | Phonology | 3 |
| Major Elective Courses | ||
| Select 15-16 credits from the list below. | 15-16 | |
| Total Credits | 36-37 | |
Major Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LNGN 110 | Language of Food | 3 |
| LNGN 120 | Language and Computers | 3 |
| LNGN 130 | Speech Processing | 4 |
| LNGN 230 | Language in Society | 3 |
| LNGN 245 | Language and Culture | 3 |
| LNGN 240 | Languages of the World | 3 |
| LNGN 250 | Language of Propaganda | 3 |
| LNGN 255 | Language and Gender | 3 |
| LNGN 260 | Dialectology | 3 |
| LNGN 280 | Bilingualism | 3 |
| LNGN 284 | History of the English Language | 3 |
| LNGN/PSYC 288 | Introduction to Cognitive Science | 3 |
| LNGN 301 | Semantics | 3 |
| LNGN 302 | Pragmatics | 3 |
| LNGN 304 | Principles of Discourse Analysis | 3 |
| LNGN 310 | Morphology | 3 |
| LNGN 320 | Quantitative Linguistics | 3 |
| LNGN 325 | Principles of Second Language Learning | 3 |
| LNGN 330 | Scripting Tools for Text Analysis | 3 |
| LNGN 340 | Linguistic Annotation | 3 |
| LNGN 350 | Linguistics of American Sign Language and Other Signed Languages | 3 |
| LNGN 351 | Gesture, Sign, and Speech: The Multi-Modality of Communication | 3 |
| LNGN 370 | Comparative and Historical Linguistics | 3 |
| LNGN 380 | Corpus Linguistics | 3 |
| LNGN 420 | Language and the Mind | 3 |
| LNGN 430 | Field Methods | 3 |
| LNGN 445 | Natural Language Processing | 3 |
| LNGN 450 | Special Topics in Linguistics | 3 |
| LNGN 478 | Independent Study | 3 |
| PSYC 348 | Psycholinguistics | 3 |
| LNGN 488 | Seminar in Cognitive Science | 3 |
New Student Seminar
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Students in the Adult Learner program must take GNED 100. | ||
| Complete one course from the following. Some courses may be restricted by major. Consult with an academic advisor. | 1 | |
| Pathways to Success | ||
| Freshman Seminar in Chemistry | ||
| First Year Seminar | ||
| Adult Academic Success Seminar | ||
| New Student Seminar | ||
| Freshman Seminar in Health and Physical Education | ||
| Pathways to Adult Learning | ||
| New Student Seminar | ||
| New Student Experience for Mathematical Sciences | ||
| Freshman Seminar for Music Majors | ||
| Introduction to Nursing | ||
| Freshman Seminar in Political Science and Law | ||
SEEDS General Education Requirements
Click here for a list of courses that fulfill the SEEDS requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations | ||
| Effective Writing I | 3 | |
| Complete one Effective Writing I course. | ||
| Effective Writing II | ||
| Complete one Effective Writing II course. | 3 | |
| Interactive Communication | ||
| Complete one Interactive Communication course. | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| Complete one Quantitative Reasoning course. | 3 | |
| Political and Civic Life | ||
| Complete one Political and Civic Life course. | 3 | |
| World Language | ||
| Complete two sequential classes in one World Language when starting at the Beginner I or Beginner II level. Complete one class when starting at the Intermediate/Advanced Level. | 3-6 | |
| Exploration | ||
| Complete one course from four different Exploration categories: | 12 | |
| Analyzing Cultures and Societies | ||
| Creative Expression | ||
| Ethical Inquiry | ||
| Historical Thinking | ||
| Literary and Artistic Analysis | ||
| Scientific Reasoning | ||
| Fulfilled by LNGN 210 and LNGN 130 in the major. | ||
| Total Credits | 30-33 | |
Recommended Roadmap to Program of Study Completion
This recommended degree plan is provided as an outline for students to follow in order to complete their program of study requirements within four years and 120 credits. This plan is a recommendation and must be used in consultation with their academic advisor. Important note: Students should be aware this plan assumes no pre-requisite coursework is required. If pre-requisite coursework is needed, students may have additional requirements to fulfill which do not appear on the plan.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| New Student Seminar | 1 | SEEDS: Exploration 2 (Recommend Analyzing Culture and Societies: LNGN 230, LNGN 240, LNGN 245, LNGN 255) | 3 |
| LNGN 210 (fulfills SEEDS Explorations: Scientific Reasoning) | 3 | SEEDS: World Language II (if needed) | 3 |
| SEEDS: World Language I | 3 | SEEDS: Effective Writing II | 3 |
| SEEDS: Effective Writing I | 3 | SEEDS: Political and Civic Life | 3 |
| SEEDS: Interactive Communication (Recommend LNGN 110) | 3 | LNGN or Free Elective | 3 |
| SEEDS: Quantitative Reasoning (Recommend LNGN 120) | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| LNGN 220 | 3 | SEEDS Exploration 4 (Recommend Historical Thinking) | 3 |
| SEEDS Exploration 3 (Recommend Ethical Inquiry) | 3 | LNGN or Free Elective | 3 |
| LNGN or Free Elective | 3 | LNGN or Free Elective | 3 |
| LNGN or Free Elective | 3 | LNGN or Free Elective | 3 |
| LNGN or Free Elective | 3 | LNGN or Free Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| LNGN 300 | 3 | LNGN 301 or 302 | 3 |
| LNGN 331 | 3 | LNGN 332 | 3 |
| LNGN or Free Elective | 3 | LNGN or Free Elective | 3 |
| LNGN or Free Elective | 3 | LNGN or Free Elective | 3 |
| LNGN or Free Elective | 2 | LNGN or Free Elective | 3 |
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| LNGN 230 or 245 (one required for the major) | 3 | LNGN or Free Elective | 3 |
| LNGN or Free Elective | 3 | LNGN or Free Elective | 3 |
| LNGN or Free Elective | 3 | LNGN or Free Elective | 3 |
| LNGN or Free Elective | 3 | LNGN or Free Elective | 3 |
| LNGN or Free Elective | 3 | LNGN or Free Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||