Undergraduate Programs
Get Involved in Linguistics!
There are lots of great opportunities to get involved while you're a student in linguistics, including events, clubs, collaboration research projects with faculty, study abroad and career-building opportunities, and more!
Linguistics Majors & Minor
We offer a Linguistics Major with the option for two emphases, Computational Linguistics and TESOL, a Minor, a Computational Linguistics Certificate, and a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate.
major map Program Learning Outcomes Why Major in Linguistics? LINGUISTICS CAREERS
Degree Requirements
Linguistics BA/BS
The Linguistics BA/BS degrees provide a broad foundation in the scientific study of language. Students study the structural properties of languages, including the sounds of languages, their sentence structure, and meaning. They also explore how languages can vary, how they are used in different contexts, and how they are acquired by children and adults. Advanced courses offer deeper examination of these topics, and students have the opportunity to pursue research through their coursework, in independent studies, or by participating in research groups in the Linguistics Department.
BA Language Requirement
Complete the following:
Course work equivalent to at least fourth semester (2020 level) in either a foreign language or sign language.
BS Methods Requirement
Complete the following:
One QI or one DI course (covered by LING 3010)
Other Requirements
Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in the major courses and no grade below a C- will count toward the major.
The Department of Linguistics reserves the right to substitute one course for another.
Students must take at least 50% of the coursework (18 credits) at the University of Utah. Any credit for courses transferred from another institution must be approved by the undergraduate advisor.
Linguistics BA/BS with an emphasis in Computational Linguistics
The Linguistics BA/BS with an emphasis in Computational Linguistics combines a strong foundation in the scientific study of language with the computational skills needed to develop language technologies.
The Computational Linguistics emphasis builds on this foundation by introducing the linguistic principles, data structures, and algorithms that power technologies such as search engines, machine translation, speech recognition, speech synthesis, text classification, syntactic parsing, and other Natural Language Processing (NLP) applications, preparing graduates for careers and advanced study in language and technology.
Emphasis Required Courses:
- LING 2300: Language and AI (BF)
- LING 3020: Intro Comp Ling
- LING 5190: Psycholinguistics
VIEW All COMPUTATIONAL LINGUISTICS EMPHASIS REQUIREMENTS
Linguistics BA/BS with a TESOL Emphasis
The Linguistics BA/BS with a TESOL Emphasis offers a strong humanistic and scientific education in the nature of language with specialized preparation for teaching English to speakers of other languages.
Through TESOL-focused coursework, students develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to work effectively with English language learners from a wide range of linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The program prepares graduates to teach English abroad, support immigrants and refugees in the United States, or pursue careers in language education and related fields.
Emphasis Required Courses:
- LING 2600: Cross-Cultural Comm (DV,HF)
- LING 3020: World Englishes (IR)
- LING 5190: Intro English Grammar
- LING 5810: L2 Methodology
- LING 5813: Practicum
Linguistics Minor
18 credit hours - 6 courses
Minor Required Courses:
- LING 2200: Introduction to the Study of Language (BF)
- LING 3010: Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology (DI)
- LING 3020: Introduction to Syntax
Other Requirements
Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in the minor; no grade below a C- will count toward the minor
Minors must take 9 credit hours (50% of the coursework for the minor) at the University of Utah.
To satisfy a specific requirement for the Linguistics minor, any credit for courses transferred from another university must be approved by the undergraduate advisor as fully equivalent to a course offered in the Linguistics Program.
Ready to declare?
Please email ling-advising@utah.edu from your umail to declare Linguistics as a major or minor.
