Program Overview
Introduction to the B.A. in Linguistics Program
The B.A. in Linguistics program at the University of Washington is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the scientific study of language. This program equips students with advanced analytical skills and a deep understanding of language, enabling them to pursue careers in various professional areas such as technology, policy, nonprofit, government, publishing, and education.
Program Description
Linguistics is the scientific study of language, where students use scientific principles to research the structure, acquisition, and use of language. The program offers students the opportunity to join faculty on research projects and expand their knowledge through the study of two languages from different language families. The program draws on disciplines including psychology, anthropology, sociology, information and computer science, and more.
Degree Requirements
The B.A. in Linguistics program requires the following courses:
- Introductory course in linguistics (5 credits): For details, see the Introductory Courses page.
- Core courses (25 credits):
- Introduction to Phonetics (LING 450)
- Introduction to Phonology (LING 451)
- Syntax I, II (LING 461, 462)
- One LING 4XX (Excludes LING 400, 419, 430, 480, 490, 499)
- Language courses (30 credits): One year each (or the equivalent) of two languages, one of which must belong to a family of languages different from the student's own native language.
- Elective courses (20 credits): Additional credits in linguistics or related fields.
GPA Requirements
- Linguistics students are expected to meet A&S GPA standards.
- Overall GPA for courses taken for the major must be 2.0 or higher.
- Cumulative GPA must be 2.0 or higher.
Double Majors Involving Linguistics
Courses used to satisfy the requirements for a second major may also be used to satisfy applicable Linguistics major requirements, such as the language and elective requirements.
The Elective Requirement
Generally, any upper division courses (300 level or higher) in Linguistics or Romance Linguistics which you have not already used to satisfy the core course or language requirements may be applied to the elective requirement. Many departments on campus offer classes that are related to linguistics, which may be counted toward the Linguistics Elective requirement.
Course Offerings
For current course offerings, consult the Current Courses section. For complete lists and descriptions of the department's course offerings, consult the General Catalog:
- Linguistics courses
- ASL courses
Additional Information
The program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of language and prepares them for various career paths. The University of Washington's Department of Linguistics offers a range of courses and research opportunities, enabling students to expand their knowledge and skills in the field of linguistics.
