Linguistics
Overview
Linguistics programs focus on how words came into being and languages develop.Linguistics programs teach people the history, philosophy, and psychology of language. Students study how languages begin, develop, and decline. They focus on how languages of various cultures influence each other and share words over time.
Linguistic programs include topics such as:
- Phonetics (how sounds are made and heard)
- Phonology (sound patterns)
- Syntax (how sentences are put together)
- Semantics (how people interpret sentences)
- Language patterns
- History
Concentrations
In linguistics programs, students may be able to specialize in:
- Cultural linguistics
- Applied linguistics
- Dialects
- Folklore and language development
- Historical linguistics
- Literature
- Specific language groups
- Teaching
- Translation
Schools
Many colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in linguistics. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.
Many universities offer graduate degrees in linguistics. A master’s degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor’s degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master’s degree.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- Anthropology
- Classical Languages and Literature
- Comparative Literature
- English Language and Literature
- Language Interpretation and Translation
- Second Language, General
- Teaching English as a Second Language
Related Careers
Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study
Other Careers Related to this Program of Study
Program Admission
You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Humanities
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
- Second Language
- World Area Studies
- World Geography
- World History
Graduate Admissions
Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good test scores.
Additional requirements at some schools include:
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
- Undergraduate degree or significant course work in linguistics
- Personal statement
- Academic writing sample
- Letters of recommendation
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Grammar
- History of Languages and Dialects
- Language Acquisition
- Language and Gender
- Language, Culture and Society
- Linguistic Analysis
- Morphology
- Phonetics
- Phonology
- Psychology of Language
- Semantics
- Syntax
- World Languages
In addition, many programs offer linguistics courses about different languages. For example, you can take Spanish linguistics, German linguistics, or French linguistics, to name a few.
Graduate Program Courses
Graduate study in linguistics typically includes:
- Required courses
- Thesis (master's degree)
- Preliminary exams (doctoral degree only)
- Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree)
Schools
East Side Area
Washington State University - Pullman
- Anthropology--Linguistics
King-Snohomish Area
Northwest University
- Intercultural Studies--First Nations Ministry
Seattle Pacific University
- Languages, Cultures and Linguistics--Linguistics and Cultural Studies
University of Washington - Seattle
- Anthropology
- Asian Languages and Literature--Japanese Language and Linguistics
- Linguistics--Computational Linguistics
- Linguistics--General Linguistics
- Linguistics--Romance Linguistics
West Side Area
Evergreen State College, The
- Linguistics
Western Washington University
- Linguistics