Linguistics Degree Online

What is Linguistics?

Linguistics majors study the structure of languages, how a language is born and how it evolves, and how people use language. Some programs also concentrate on a specific language or group of languages.

Is Linguistics a Good Major / Degree for Me?

Are you a word nerd? Do you like to analyze language? Have you enjoyed learning a foreign language? Were you the only kid in English class that found diagramming sentences fun? Are you good at critical thinking? Are you looking for an academically rigorous major? Do you enjoy learning about other cultures? Would you like to learn languages that no one even speaks anymore? If so, a degree in Linguistics might just be for you!

High School Classes Needed for a Linguistics Degree in College:

• 4 English Credits
• 3 Math Credits
• 3 Science Credits
• 3 Social Studies Credits
• 2+ Foreign Language Credits
• If your high school offers any of the following courses, take advantage!
  • AP English Language
  • AP English Literature
• If your high school offers the following co-curricular opportunities, take advantage!
  • Speech Team
  • Foreign Language Club

Common Linguistics Courses in College:

• African American and Latino English
• History of English
• Introduction to Syntax
• Logical Analysis of Language
• Morphological Theory
• Phonetics
• Pidgins and Creoles
• Semantics
• Sociolinguistics
• The Sound Structure of Language
• Statistics
• Writing Systems

Similar Degree Programs You Might Want to Explore:

• American Sign Language: the study of the official language of the deaf community in the U.S. and Canada
• Anthropology: the study of humankind, societies, and cultures
• Archaeology: the study of the history of societies
• Classics: the study of the literature and languages of Ancient Rome and Greece
• Computer Programming: the study of the programming languages used in operating systems and software
• Creative Writing: the study of creating poems, fiction, nonfiction, scripts, mixed media art, and the avante-garde
• English: the study of English language and literature
• Literature: the study of written works, literary movements, and the history of literature

Linguistics Careers:

A Linguistics Degree can lead to many different career opportunities. As the world becomes more and more of a global community, there is a significant need for people who understand how languages work. Many people with a background in linguistics go on to teach subjects including: English, English as a Second Language, and Foreign Language. Some Linguistics majors become translators and/or interpreters. Some go into publishing. Others go into research. And while it might seem odd, many Linguistics students go into computer science or computer programming careers.