Major/Minor in Linguistics

The Department of Linguistics offers a Major and a Minor in linguistics, both designed to provide solid training in the core areas of the discipline as well as the flexibility necessary for individual students to pursue their own specialized interests. If you are interested in learning more about what career paths a Major or Minor in Linguistics can prepare you for, see the “About Linguistics” page. Prof. Kristen Syrett has co-authored the brochure for the Linguistic Society of America, "Why Major in Linguistics (and what does a linguist do)?”, which can provide you with helpful information on the value of a Linguistics major or minor and information about possible career paths.

Formal Requirements

For the major:
All majors and minors in linguistics are required to take 615:201 Introduction to Linguistic Theory. This is “the gateway course,” and the prerequisite for the three core courses in linguistics: syntax (615:305), semantics (615:325) and phonology (615:315). Majors must take all three of these core courses; minors may choose two out of the three. Majors may also participate in the Departmental Honors Program in their senior year (see requirements below).

An understanding of the core areas of linguistics equips students to then pursue almost any interest in language they may have. The departmental course offerings can be found on our courses page. For a list of courses outside of the department that can count toward the linguistics major, please see the approved courses section at the end of the course page.

A major in Linguistics consists of ten courses of 3 credits each, distributed as follows:

• 01:615:201 and the three core courses: syntax (615:305), semantics (615:325) and phonology (615:315)
• Three additional courses at the 300 level or above in Linguistics (615), and
• Three courses at the 300 level or above in Linguistics (615) or chosen from the list of approved courses for the major with the approval of the Undergraduate Program Director.

Grades of C or better must be earned in all course work that is to be applied to the major.

For the minor:

A minor in Linguistics consists of six courses of 3 credits each, distributed as follows:

• 01:615:201 and two of the core courses: syntax (615:305), semantics (615:325) and phonology (615:315)
• Two additional courses at the 300 level or above in Linguistics (615), and
• One additional course at the 300 level or above in Linguistics (615) or chosen from the list of approved courses for the major with the approval of the Major Advisor.

Grades of C or better must be earned in all course work that is to be applied to the minor.

Declaring a Major

To be accepted as a Major you must pass 615:201 Introduction to Linguistic Theory with a grade of C or better. However, you are strongly encouraged to declare your intention to major before you complete 615:201 due to the high demand for linguistics courses. To declare your intention to major in linguistics , please fill out this form. You must fill out this form before you declare a major in linguistics. The Major in linguistics typically takes 4 semesters to complete. Students are strongly encouraged to declare Linguistics as their Major early as it is a very popular program.

Declaring a Minor

To be accepted as a Minor you must pass 615:201 Introduction to Linguistic Theory with a grade of C or better. However, you are strongly encouraged to declare your intention to minor before you complete 615:201 due to the high demand for linguistics courses. To declare your intention to minor in linguistics, please fill out this form. You must fill out this form before you declare a minor in linguistics. The Minor in linguistics typically takes 3 semesters to complete. Students are strongly encouraged to declare Linguistics as their Minor early as it is a very popular program.

Departmental Honors Program

Students wishing to participate in the honors program in their senior year must make written application to the departmental Major Advisor no later than May 15 of their junior year.

To be considered, a student must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or better and a grade-point average of 3.4 or better in courses counting toward the Linguistics major. Students selected to participate in the program enroll in 01:615:495,496 and spend two terms researching and writing an honors thesis under the supervision of a faculty member from the Linguistics department.

After the thesis is submitted, an oral examination on the thesis is given by a committee consisting of the student's honors program supervisor and two other Linguistics department faculty members selected with the approval of the Major Advisor. On the basis of the committee's report on the thesis and the examination, the department determines whether the student is to be recommended for departmental honors.

Undergraduate Advisor

Please contact the Undergraduate Program Director for further information or to arrange an appointment:

      Undergraduate Program Director/Advisor

      Professor Veneeta Dayal

      Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Office: 18 Seminary Place, CAC   

      Phone:(732)-993-3559