“Linguist,” like many English words, originates from the Latin lingua, for language. This root splintered into the English vocabulary in the late 16th century, but not before also appearing in the Spanish lengua and Catalan llengua, for tongue.
Linguistics explores stories like these, and this wide-spanning social science pushes its students even further.
In short, linguistics is the study of languages, how they function, and how humans have learned to communicate with them.
In long, linguistics is multifaceted and broad in scope, covering everything from Mandarin to ASL to Python. Linguists break down language acquisition, phonetics, phonology, syntactic theory, history, and more. This field is one of niches and subdisciplines.
Computational linguists build analytical models outlining the structure of natural language to answer linguistic questions. They stay as objective and scientific as possible, but with language’s heavily psychological and historical backing, some things get lost in translation. For example, the true origin of the word “walrus” in Dutch vs. Old Norse is hotly contested.
Such unanswered questions push some linguistics students to conduct field research, often concerning fast-disappearing languages in faraway countries.
Interested in this major? Here, we’ll break down which colleges offer linguistics programs and what to look for in a school.
Overview of the Linguistics Major
Course requirements will vary depending on the college, but linguistics majors will likely cover many of these key subjects:
- Computational Linguistics
- Cultural Anthropology
- Foreign Language
- Historical Linguistics
- Introductory Psychology
- Phonetics, Phonology
- Semantics
- Syntax, Morphology
Many assume that linguists must either be current polyglots or aspiring ones, but in truth, you don’t have to know a ton of languages to be successful in this major.
Instead, strong linguistics students are typically curious about history, psychology, and computer science. They like to explain big concepts using diagrams and maps, and they’re genuinely curious about languages, especially their own. They like puns, Scrabble, and speaking with those from different countries.
Successful students in this major are strong verbal and written communicators. They’re often at least somewhat scientifically-minded and skilled in research and analysis.
The linguistics degree opens up a wide array of jobs, many of them in education and academia. Graduates commonly become teachers, professors, librarians, and researchers. Those with a particular interest in speech and sound become speech therapists, speech language pathologists, and audiologists.
There’s some overlap between the potential jobs for linguistics, English, and communications majors; technical writing, copywriting, editing, marketing, and public relations are popular paths for linguistics majors with a communications bent.
Perhaps surprisingly, linguists make great consultants and forensic linguistics within the criminal justice system. A few even work for the FBI!
The likelihood of graduate school wholly depends on your career interests; a linguistics bachelor’s neither inherently pulls you towards graduate school nor guarantees that you’ll get where you want to go without it.
What to Look for in a College as a Linguistics Major
Study Abroad Opportunities
While bilingualism isn’t mandatory for this major, immersing yourself in a new language will only enhance your understanding of diverse languages and the links between them. If you feel that studying abroad will enhance your learning experience, look into your potential colleges’ offerings in this area and see if they allow you to travel to the countries which interest you. UCLA, for example, is part of the UC Education Abroad Program, which offers programs in 42 countries.
Field Research Opportunities
For those planning on grad school, research is a fantastic way to expand one’s knowledge and resume. Linguistics research often involves using auditory and digital equipment to record sound and written records. The University of Chicago’s Sapir Scholars Program creates a symbiotic relationship between graduate students and undergrads; linguistics majors are paired with graduate students to work as assistants for them on their independent research projects in exchange for a small stipend.
Student Organizations
Clubs and professional fraternities are fantastic places to mingle and network with like-minded individuals. This is especially important if you’re seeking to make connections within a large university or one in which linguistics is an uncommon major. Schools like UCLA work hard to keep their students in the humanities engaged; their Bruin Linguists Society hosts quarterly events providing their linguistics majors with academic, social, and career support.
List of All U.S. Colleges With a Linguistics Major
School Name | City | State |
University of California, Riverside | UC Riverside | Riverside | California |
University of California, Irvine | UC Irvine | Irvine | California |
Pomona College | Claremont | California |
Harvey Mudd College | HMC | Claremont | California |
Pitzer College | Claremont | California |
Lawrence University | Appleton | Wisconsin |
Youngstown State University | Youngstown | Ohio |
University of Connecticut | UConn | Storrs | Connecticut |
Montclair State University | MSU | Montclair | New Jersey |
University of California, San Diego | UCSD | La Jolla | California |
Northwestern University | Evanston | Illinois |
Scripps College | Claremont | California |
University of Alaska Fairbanks | UAF | Fairbanks | Alaska |
University of Kentucky | Lexington | Kentucky |
University of California, Santa Cruz | UCSC | Santa Cruz | California |
California State University, Northridge | CSUN | Northridge | California |
University of North Texas | UNT | Denton | Texas |
Indiana University Bloomington | Indiana | Bloomington | Indiana |
University of California, Santa Barbara | UCSB | Santa Barbara | California |
University of Vermont | UVM (Video) What being a Linguistics major is REALLY like // Job hunting, grades, misconceptions, & salaries | Burlington | Vermont |
Brigham Young University | BYU | Provo | Utah |
University of Kansas | Lawrence | Kansas |
Brandeis University | Waltham | Massachusetts |
University of Chicago | Chicago | Illinois |
Earlham College | Richmond | Indiana |
Purdue University | West Lafayette | Indiana See Also Pyatigorsk State Linguistic University (Pyatigorsk State Linguistic University): Address, kagawaran, specialty, isang pasadong markaReviews & Testimonials | Linguistics Homework HelpEstudio léxico-semántico de la jerga en la expresión de los estudiantes de pregradoMagnetic Memory Method - Memory Improvement Made Easy With Anthony Metivier |
Ohio University | Athens | Ohio |
University of Michigan | Ann Arbor | Michigan |
Eastern Michigan University | EMU | Ypsilanti | Michigan |
Rutgers University—New Brunswick | Rutgers | New Brunswick | New Jersey |
Union University | Jackson | Tennessee |
Brooklyn College | Brooklyn | New York |
University of Houston | Houston | Texas |
Rice University | Houston | Texas |
University of Georgia | Athens | Georgia |
University of Nevada, Las Vegas | UNLV | Las Vegas | Nevada |
University of Mississippi | Ole Miss | University | Mississippi |
Truman State University | TSU | Kirksville | Missouri |
California State University, Fullerton | CSU Fullerton | Fullerton | California |
Macalester College | Saint Paul | Minnesota |
Stanford University | Stanford | California |
The State University of New York at Stony Brook | SUNY Stony Brook | Stony Brook | New York |
San Diego State University | SDSU | San Diego | California |
Southern Illinois University Carbondale | SIU | Carbondale | Illinois |
Boston College | BC | Chestnut Hill | Massachusetts |
Harvard University | Cambridge | Massachusetts |
Northeastern University | Boston (Video) Accent Expert Gives a Tour of U.S. Accents - (Part One) | WIRED | Massachusetts |
Boston University | BU | Boston | Massachusetts |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | MIT | Cambridge | Massachusetts |
Calvin College | Grand Rapids | Michigan |
Ohio State University | OSU | Columbus | Ohio |
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities | Minnesota | Minneapolis | Minnesota |
Haverford College | Haverford | Pennsylvania |
St. Joseph’s University | SJU | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania |
Bryn Mawr College | Bryn Mawr | Pennsylvania |
Swarthmore College | Swarthmore | Pennsylvania |
Princeton University | Princeton | New Jersey |
University of Wisconsin-Madison | Wisconsin | Madison | Wisconsin |
Cornell University | Ithaca | New York |
University of New Hampshire | UNH | Durham | New Hampshire |
Dartmouth College | Hanover | New Hampshire |
University of Rochester | Rochester | New York |
University of Missouri | Mizzou | Columbia | Missouri |
Bucknell University | Lewisburg | Pennsylvania |
California State University, Long Beach | Long Beach State | Long Beach | California |
Florida Atlantic University | FAU | Boca Raton | Florida |
California State University, Fresno | CSU Fresno | Fresno | California |
University of Oregon | Eugene | Oregon |
University of California, Davis | UC Davis | Davis | California |
University of Arizona | Tucson | Arizona |
The State University of New York at Albany | SUNY Albany | Albany | New York |
Michigan State University | East Lansing | Michigan |
Hofstra University | Hempstead | New York |
Iowa State University | Ames | Iowa (Video) for KING & COUNTRY - For God Is With Us (Official Music Video) |
Miami University | Oxford | Ohio |
University of Texas at Austin | UT Austin | Austin | Texas |
University of California, Berkeley | UC Berkeley | Berkeley | California |
Washington State University | WSU | Pullman | Washington |
Carleton College | Northfield | Minnesota |
University of New Mexico | UNM | Albuquerque | New Mexico |
Tulane University | New Orleans | Louisiana |
Reed College | Portland | Oregon |
Portland State University | PSU | Portland | Oregon |
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | UWM | Milwaukee | Wisconsin |
University of Massachusetts Amherst | UMass Amherst | Amherst | Massachusetts |
University of Pittsburgh | Pitt | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania |
Carnegie Mellon University | CMU | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania |
San Jose State University | SJSU | San Jose | California |
University of Oklahoma | Norman | Oklahoma |
Emory University | Atlanta | Georgia |
Georgia State University | Atlanta | Georgia |
Brown University | Providence | Rhode Island |
Western Washington University | WWU | Bellingham | Washington |
University of Florida | Gainesville | Florida |
University of Iowa | Iowa City | Iowa |
Syracuse University | Syracuse | New York |
Washington University in St. Louis | WashU | Saint Louis | Missouri |
Wayne State University | WSU | Detroit | Michigan |
University of California, Los Angeles | UCLA | Los Angeles | California |
University of Colorado Boulder | CU Boulder | Boulder | Colorado |
University of Delaware | Newark | Delaware |
University of Maryland, College Park | Maryland (Video) Harry Potter: Hermione Growth Spurt - SNL | College Park | Maryland |
Baylor University | Waco | Texas |
Oakland University | Rochester Hills | Michigan |
University of Minnesota Duluth | UMD | Duluth | Minnesota |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | UIUC | Champaign | Illinois |
Cleveland State University | CSU | Cleveland | Ohio |
University of Texas at El Paso | UTEP | El Paso | Texas |
University of Texas at Arlington | UT Arlington | Arlington | Texas |
University of Utah | Salt Lake City | Utah |
University of Toledo | Toledo | Ohio |
The State University of New York at Binghamton | SUNY Binghamton | Vestal | New York |
Duke University | Durham | North Carolina |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | UNC | Chapel Hill | North Carolina |
University of Pennsylvania | UPenn | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania |
Temple University | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania |
University of Southern California | USC | Los Angeles | California |
New York University | NYU | New York | New York |
Barnard College | New York | New York |
Columbia University | New York | New York |
City College of New York | CCNY | New York | New York |
University of Washington | Seattle | Washington |
Seattle Pacific University | SPU | Seattle | Washington |
Yale University | New Haven | Connecticut |
Georgetown University | Washington DC | Washington DC |
Gallaudet University | Washington DC | Washington DC |
Notice a school that’s missing? Email us and let us know!
What Are Your Chances of Acceptance?
No matter your major, you must be academically comparable to previous years’ admits to be a competitive college applicant. Most selective schools use the Academic Index, a complex tool based on your grades, test scores, and class rankings, to evaluate academic aptitude and filter out students who don’t meet their standards.
The qualitative aspects of your application, like your essays and extracurriculars, are your place to show who you are and demonstrate fit with your chosen schools and major.
Linguistics is a bit of a niche field, but you can still pursue your passion for it in high school with enough creativity. Join a foreign language club, self-teach, or take a foreign language class.
Model UN, Mock Trial, and Speech and Debate all develop close analysis, critical thinking, and clear communication skills that will be invaluable in your undergraduate career. Some areas offer Linguistics Olympiads, so do some digging to see if it’s available in yours!
On your own, you can start a linguistics club or take a linguistics class at your local community college. You can always read linguistic books or self-teach linguistic skills in your own time.
Science fair projects, computer science, history presentations, and English research papers can all take on a linguistics-like quality if you choose to tailor it that way. For example, a student asked to research a societal problem could delve into the rapid unique language loss occurring since the 1950’s and its role as a product of cultural, political, and economic marginalization.
If you’re struggling to figure out where you match up to other college applicants, we recommend using our free Chancing Engine. Unlike other solely stats-based chancing calculators, ours looks at your profile holistically, including both your quantitative stats and qualitative extracurriculars.
FAQs
What majors go well with linguistics? ›
The field of linguistics is extremely diverse, intersecting with many areas such as anthropology, computer science, engineering, foreign language study, neurology, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and speech & hearing science, among others.
What university is known for linguistics? ›
The top ranked schools for Linguistics majors include Georgetown University, the University of Chicago and Binghamton University with 22 students graduating with a degree in Linguistics at Georgetown University. Learn more about college options in the table below.
How common is a linguistics major? ›
In 2019-2020, foreign languages and linguistics was the 24th most popular major nationwide with 34,268 degrees awarded.
Is a linguistics degree useful? ›
Linguistics graduates also go into jobs where they can use their knowledge of linguistics directly, such as working for dictionary compilers or as proofreaders and editors. Others train as speech and language therapists or as teachers, or find work teaching English as a foreign or second language.
Which Ivy League is best for linguistics? ›
As the only Ivy League school in the top five, Harvard University offers another superior program for students studying linguistics. Harvard has one of the oldest linguistics programs in the U.S., along with an extensive collection of materials at the University Library.
Do linguists make good money? ›
The average salary for a linguist is $39,695 per year in the United States. 330 salaries reported, updated at July 20, 2022.
What should I double major with linguistics? ›
A double major with Linguistics complements a wide variety of fields, including Anthropology, Communication and Media, Communication Disorders, Computer Science, English, Foreign Languages, International Relations, Philosophy, Psychology, Political Science, and other disciplines.
Are linguistics in demand? ›
In recent years, the demand for people with such backgrounds has exploded, and linguists are in high demand.
What is a linguistics major? ›
What Is a Linguistics Major? Linguistics is a scientific subject, which means linguistics majors ask questions and test hypotheses about language. Students may focus on the role of language in society or how children and adults learn language differently.
What is the base of linguistic study? ›
Phonology and phonetics — the study of the sound systems of languages — deals with the basic utterances in speech. It can be investigated by observing which physical properties of the vocal tract (including the lips and tongue) are used to form distinct linguistic sounds to convey information.
Is Forensic linguistics real? ›
A forensic linguist performs language analysis on written or recorded documents to help solve crimes. A forensic linguist studies dialect, grammar, sentence construction, phonetics and other linguistic areas to determine authenticity and ensure correct interpretation. A forensic linguists may analyze: Contracts.
Is linguistics a BA or BS? ›
If you study linguistics at undergraduate level, you will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or, in some cases, a Bachelor of Science (BSc).
What percentage of linguists are female? ›
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Male | 71.6% |
| Female | 28.4% |
What does a linguist do in the FBI? ›
FBI linguists are experts in specific languages as well as holding expertise regarding the cultures in which those languages are spoken. These federal agents assist in solving federal crimes through the application of their foreign language skills.
What is the coolest Ivy League school? ›
Harvard was the clear winner in our rankings, taking the top spot in half of our categories — Affordability, Campus, and Job Prospects — and never placing out of the top three. Boston is a great city to attend college, and Harvard's historic and picturesque campus makes it all the better.
Does Yale have a good linguistics program? ›
In 2020, 58 students received their master's degree in foreign languages and linguistics from Yale. This makes it the #5 most popular school for foreign languages and linguistics master's degree candidates in the country.
What is the number 1 Ivy League? ›
A world-renowned research university, Princeton is No. 1 in our National Universities ranking.
How much do FBI contract linguists make? ›
FBI — Contract Linguist Positions ($27 - $41 Per Hour)
What job can linguistics get you? ›
- Linguist.
- Copy editor.
- Translator.
- Foreign language teacher.
- Technical writer.
- Copywriter.
- Language specialist.
- Professor.
Do linguists speak many languages? ›
While some linguists can speak five languages fluently, many others can't, and some highly-respected linguists speak only a single language with any fluency.
What minors go well with linguistics? ›
Which minors are good to combine with a LIN major? This depends on your interests and focus. Most common are: a language minor (e.g. Chinese, Spanish), Teaching English as a Second Language, African Studies, Communication Disorders, Psychology, Education, Business, and Computer Science.
Is Linguistics a good major for law school? ›
Linguistics
Linguistics is an excellent major for lawyers, as it gives them an excellent base for understanding how language itself operates — a fundamental piece of deconstructing or interpreting laws. Much like Classics Majors, they are also annoying at parties.
What is master in linguistics? ›
A Master in Linguistics is about the routine study of language as a structure as well as the many sub-fields of Linguistics that overlap with other sciences, such as Semiotics, Psychology, Sociology, Forensics, and many others which makes the subject much more exciting and appealing.
Who is the most famous linguist? ›
1. Noam Chomsky (1928 - ) With an HPI of 77.50, Noam Chomsky is the most famous Linguist. His biography has been translated into 134 different languages on wikipedia.
How do linguists make money? ›
- Become a tutor. ...
- Work as a freelance translator. ...
- Grade/score standardized language examinations. ...
- Do some freelance writing. ...
- Create language videos on YouTube. ...
- Sell your (original) content. ...
- Create a language app or game. ...
- Teach at a museum, library, or community college.
How many linguists are there in the US? ›
The number of Language & Linguistics graduates in the workforce has been growing at a rate of 2.14%, from 486,746 in 2018 to 497,149 in 2019.
Is linguistics a hard course? ›
Linguistics is as hard as you make it out to be or as easy as the person teaching you makes it for you. Linguistics is not a micky mouse subject. There are numerous textbooks on it and kt's not as simple as learning grammar.
Which foreign language is most demanded? ›
Mandarin
After English, it's the most demanded foreign language thanks to its 1 billion speakers.
Is linguistics a competitive course? ›
The Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics is competitive. Knowing the prerequisites will enable you have seamless registration and also avoid unnecessary mistakes.
What are the three main branches of linguistics? ›
Syntax - the study of the formation of sentences. Semantics - the study of meaning. Pragmatics - the study of language use.
Who has linguistic intelligence? ›
What Is Linguistic Intelligence? Maya Angelou, William Shakespeare, and Oprah Winfrey are famous people who have high linguistic intelligence. In other words, they have a deep understanding and appreciation of the rules and functions of language. People with linguistic intelligence are skilled writers and speakers.
Do you need a PHD to be a forensic linguist? ›
Graduate students entering programs in forensic linguistics could hold an undergraduate degree in foreign languages, computer science, English, communications or philosophy. Pursuing a doctoral degree, which is generally required if you want to work as an expert witness, can mean as much as 10 years of schooling.
How is linguistics being used in courts? ›
The linguistic tools of semantics, discourse analysis, pragmatics and speech acts can help identify such lack of clarity in the courtroom. Lawyers handling trademark cases have been turning more and more to linguists to help them with disputes about whether a trade name can be protected.
What is a linguistic detective? ›
“it is a science where linguistic techniques are applied to legal processes to solve cases and provide new angles on evidence. The examination of texts for all types of authorship, authenticity, interpretation of meaning, disputed language and other forensic processes.”
How long does a PhD in linguistics take? ›
The PhD program in Linguistics consists of three stages, which correspond to the three Graduate College doctoral degree stages (see chapter 6 in the Graduate College Handbook ). The entire PhD program in Linguistics is intended to take 5 or 6 years: 2 years for Stage 1, and 3 or 4 years for Stages 2 and 3.
Does linguistics involve math? ›
Mathematical linguistics is a field of scientific linguistic inquiry applying mathematical methods and concepts to linguistic systems, to phenomena observed in natural languages, or to the metatheory of models of grammars.
What can I do with a masters in linguistics? ›
- Translator or Interpreter. ...
- Copywriter. ...
- Editor. ...
- Speech or Language Therapist. ...
- English As a Foreign or Second Language Teacher.
Does Yale have a good linguistics program? ›
In 2020, 58 students received their master's degree in foreign languages and linguistics from Yale. This makes it the #5 most popular school for foreign languages and linguistics master's degree candidates in the country.
Where can I study linguistics in Canada? ›
- Brock University.
- Memorial University of Newfoundland.
- University of Alberta.
- University of Ottawa.
- Carleton University.
- University of British Columbia.
- University of Calgary.
- Concordia University.
Is UCL good for linguistics? ›
Linguistics at UCL
UCL Linguistics is a cutting-edge department ranked 5th in Europe the 2021 QS Ranking.
Is UMass Amherst good for linguistics? ›
For the fourth year in a row, the UMass Amherst Department of Linguistics has earned a top spot in the QS World University Rankings. The linguistics department is ranked second in the world, with MIT holding the top spot, and the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford tied for third.
Why is linguistics worth studying? ›
Linguistics helps us understand our world
Apart from simply understanding the intricacies of world languages, this knowledge can be applied to improving communication between people, contributing to translation activities, assisting in literacy efforts, and treating speech disorders.
What are the 3 purposes of linguistics? ›
The informative, expressive, and directive purposes of language.
What is it like to study linguistics? ›
Linguistics is a major that gives you insight into one of the most intriguing aspects of human knowledge and behavior. Majoring in linguistics means that you will learn about many aspects of human language, including sounds (phonetics, phonology), words (morphology), sentences (syntax), and meaning (semantics).
How long does it take to study linguistics in Canada? ›
| Program | Expected Length |
|---|---|
| M.A. | 2 years |
What is the base of linguistic study? ›
Phonology and phonetics — the study of the sound systems of languages — deals with the basic utterances in speech. It can be investigated by observing which physical properties of the vocal tract (including the lips and tongue) are used to form distinct linguistic sounds to convey information.
What is a Masters in Applied Linguistics? ›
A masters degree in applied linguistics is an arts masters degree program that entails theory and research of linguistics. The program is wide and also encompasses the practical problems and solutions offered by use of linguistics in the society.
What is social linguistic? ›
sociolinguistics, the study of the sociological aspects of language. The discipline concerns itself with the part language plays in maintaining the social roles in a community.