Linguistics (B.A.)

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.

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.

Program Requirements Overview

General Education Requirements39
World Languages and Cultures Requirements3-9
Major Requirements36-37
Free Electives42-35
Total Credits120

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
Required Courses
LNGN 210Introduction to General Linguistics3
LNGN 220Structure of American English3
LNGN 230Language in Society3
or LNGN 245 Language and Culture
LNGN 300Syntax3
LNGN 301Semantics3
or LNGN 302 Pragmatics
LNGN 331Phonetics3
LNGN 332Phonology3
Major Elective Courses
Select 15-16 credits from the list below.15-16
Total Credits36-37

Major Electives

LNGN 110Language of Food3
LNGN 120Language and Computers3
LNGN 130Speech Processing4
LNGN 230Language in Society3
LNGN 245Language and Culture3
LNGN 240Languages of the World3
LNGN 250Language of Propaganda3
LNGN 255Language and Gender3
LNGN 260Dialectology3
LNGN 280Bilingualism3
LNGN 284History of the English Language3
LNGN/PSYC 288Introduction to Cognitive Science3
LNGN 301Semantics3
LNGN 302Pragmatics3
LNGN 304Principles of Discourse Analysis3
LNGN 310Morphology3
LNGN 320Quantitative Linguistics3
LNGN 325Principles of Second Language Learning3
LNGN 330Scripting Tools for Text Analysis3
LNGN 340Linguistic Annotation3
LNGN 350Linguistics of American Sign Language and Other Signed Languages3
LNGN 351Gesture, Sign, and Speech: The Multi-Modality of Communication3
LNGN 370Comparative and Historical Linguistics3
LNGN 380Corpus Linguistics3
LNGN 420Language and the Mind3
LNGN 430Field Methods3
LNGN 445Natural Language Processing3
LNGN 450Special Topics in Linguistics3
LNGN 478Independent Study3
PSYC 348Psycholinguistics3
LNGN 488Seminar in Cognitive Science3

General Education Requirements

Click here for a list of courses that fulfill General Education categories.

A. New Student Seminar
Complete a 1 credit New Student Seminar course.1
C. Communication
1. Writing 3
2. Literature3
3. Communication 3
D. Fine and Performing Arts
Complete a 3 credit Fine and Performing Arts course.3
F. Humanities
1. Great Works and Their Influences3
2. Philosophical and Religious Perspectives 3
G. Computer Science
Complete a 3 credit Computer Science course.3
H. Mathematics
Complete a 3 credit Mathematics course.3
I. Natural Science Laboratory
Complete a 4 credit Natural Science Laboratory course.4
J. Physical Education
Complete a 1 credit Physical Education course.1
K. Social Science
1. American and European History 3
2. Global Cultural Perspectives3
3. Social Science Perspectives
Introduction to General Linguistics (Fulfilled in the major.)
L. Interdisciplinary Studies
Complete a 3 credit Interdisciplinary Studies course.3
Total Credits39

World Languages and Cultures Requirements

Click here for a list of courses that fulfill World Languages and Cultures categories.

World Languages
Based on language placement exam, complete one or two sequential courses in the same language. Requirement is automatically fulfilled by language major courses.3-6
World Cultures
Requirement may be fulfilled by course selected in General Education - Social Science: Global Cultural Perspectives. Requirement may also be fulfilled by major coursework. See list of courses.0-3
Total Credits3-9

Recommended Roadmap to Degree Completion

This four-year plan is provided as an outline for students to follow in order to complete their degree requirements within four years.  This plan is a recommendation and students should only use it in consultation with their academic advisor.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION: (A) New Student Seminar1GENERAL EDUCATION: (C1) Writing3
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C1) Writing3GENERAL EDUCATION: (G) Computer Science3
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C3) Communication3GENERAL EDUCATION: (K1) Social Science – American and European History3
GENERAL EDUCATION: (D) Fine and Performing Arts3World Language II3
GENERAL EDUCATION: (H) Mathematics3LNGN 2103
World Language I3 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION: (F1) Humanities – Great Works and Their Influences3GENERAL EDUCATION: (F2) Humanities – Philosophical and Religious Perspectives3
GENERAL EDUCATION: (J) Physical Education1GENERAL EDUCATION: (I) Natural Science Laboratory4
GENERAL EDUCATION: (K2) Social Science – Global Cultural Perspectives3World Cultures3
GENERAL EDUCATION: (L) Interdisciplinary Studies3LNGN 2453
LNGN 2203Or Major Elective 1
LNGN 2303Major Elective 23
Or Major Elective 1 
 16 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
LNGN 3003LNGN 301 or 3023
LNGN 3313LNGN 3323
Free Elective3Major Elective 33
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Major Elective 43Major Elective 53
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3 
 15 12
Total Credits 120