Program Overview

Linguistics: Academic/Professional Linguistics Emphasis

Overview

Study one of the most crucial aspects of human connection: language. It's how we communicate, record our past and understand the world around us. Linguistics is the scientific study of language. Specifically, it looks at how humans acquire language, the structures of language and how language influences the ways in which humans interact with and think about the world. Students in the Bachelor of Arts program with an Academic and Professional emphasis learn from world-renowned faculty (including the University of Arizona's own Noam Chomsky, a thought leader in linguistics) that includes experts in language documentation and revitalization, especially for Native American languages. Throughout the program, students examine language structures, the relationships between language and cognition, computational linguistics, literature, social constructs and psycholinguistics.

Learning Outcomes

• Language Analysis; Demonstrate ability to analyze patterns in language.
• Language Patterns; Show awareness of language usage patterns around the world.
• Identify Language Myths; Describe and address common misconceptions about language.
• Communicate Linguistics Knowledge; Communicate knowledge about linguistics orally and through writing.

Program Details

Sample Courses

• LING 322: The Structure and Meaning of Words
• LING 408: Computational Techniques for Linguists
• LING 463: Philosophy of Linguistics

Career Fields

• Forensic linguistics
• Academia
• Education
• Research
• Information technology

Level of Math

• General Knowledge

This strand involves the general understanding and appreciation of how mathematics is used to solve problems in everyday life. The G-strand does not prepare a student for any further work grounded in mathematics and assumes the student will not proceed beyond the basic Foundations level noted above. Thus only those students whose major requires the most general knowledge of mathematics should take this strand.

Level of Second Language

• 4th Semester Proficiency

Fourth-semester skill level in a second language is required. B.A. degree students may fulfill this requirement with one of the following options: 1. Scoring the equivalent of fourth-semester skill level on an entrance or placement examination administered by The University of Arizona. 2. Completion of a two-course sequence beyond the second semester of post-secondary language instruction. 3. Completion with a C or higher of a 300- or 400-level language course at the post-secondary level. 4. Completion of one course beyond the third semester in combination with an AP (Advanced Placement) score, IB (International Baccalaureate) score or a CLEP (College Level Entrance Program) score determined by the individual language department. 5. An AP, IB, or CLEP language score determined by individual language departments 6. A minimum of one semester study abroad in a language program approved by the appropriate language department as the equivalent of fourth-semester skill level.

Pre-major Required?

• No

This Major's College

• College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

Degree

• Bachelor of Arts

Sample Plans

2025, Linguistics: Academic/Professional Linguistics Emphasis

• 4-Year Sample Plan
• Map Transfer Coursework
• Plan Ahead with a Transfer Pathway

First Year

• 1st Semester
  • First Semester Composition
  • Foundation Mathematics
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • First Semester Second Language
• 2nd Semester
  • Second Semester Composition
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • Second Semester Second Language

Second Year

• 3rd Semester
  • LING 201: Introduction to Linguistics
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • Third Semester Second Language
• 4th Semester
  • LING 300: Introduction to Syntax
  • LING 314: Phonetics
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • Fourth Semester Second Language

Third Year

• 5th Semester
  • LING 364: Semantics
  • LING 315: Introduction to Phonology
  • LING Core 2 Elective
  • Minor Course
  • Elective
• 6th Semester
  • LING Core 2 Elective
  • LING 403, 410, or 415
  • Minor Course
  • Minor Course
  • Elective

Fourth Year

• 7th Semester
  • LING Independent Study or Honors Thesis
  • LING Elective
  • Minor Course
  • Minor Course
  • Elective
• 8th Semester
  • LING Independent Study or Honors Thesis
  • LING Seminar, Special Topics Course, or Advisor Approved Elective
  • Minor Course
  • Elective
  • Elective

Map Transfer Coursework

• Enter your coursework from Arizona universities or community colleges to see how they can map to this major.
• Connect with The University of Arizona Academic Advisors to validate how your coursework will transfer.

About the Transfer Mapping Categories

• Maps to One Requirement
  • A transfer course with this designation matches a UAZ course that maps to one requirement for this major.
• Can Map in Multiple Ways
  • A transfer course with this designation matches a UAZ course that maps to more than one requirement for this major.
• Ask an Advisor
  • A transfer course with this designation matches a UAZ course that has not yet been mapped to a requirement for this major, or it means that the transfer course was input incorrectly.