Linguistics Major (BA, BS)

BA Requirements
BS Requirements
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English and Linguistics Department
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When you pursue a linguistics major, you study the science of language and its social and cultural contexts. Learning the craft of linguistic analysis, you become a better writer and develop an advanced understanding of human thought in expressed action. A linguistics major combines well with majors and minors from a variety of other disciplines and provides an excellent background for careers in teaching language, speech-language pathology, law, data science, technology, and more.

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Career Paths

Linguistics majors go on to become language researchers, lawyers, software engineers, media editors, and writers. Some join the Peace Corps or become Fulbright scholars, teach ESL and other languages around the world (although if language teaching is your main interest, the BA in Applied Linguistics/TESOL might be a better option for you). Many pursue graduate training in linguistics, applied linguistics, education, law, information technologies, and media.

Featured Courses

Learn about the linguistics of a specific language or language family, particular methods, or topics in linguistics and become familiar with relevant aspects of phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and lexicon.

Engage in the analysis of phonetic and phonological data and learn approaches to the description and explanation of sounds and the patterns governing them.

Explore sociolinguistic variation, including both interpersonal (regional and ethnic dialects, gender and class differences, etc.) and intrapersonal (different registers and styles). 

Learn about theories of syntax, examining both universal phenomena and less commonly found syntactic patterns.

Explore theories of semantics and pragmatics with intensive practice in the analysis and description of semantic and pragmatic data; approaches to the description and explanation of meaning at different levels

Investigate topics in psycholinguistics focusing on the contributions of both linguistics and psychology to the study of language behavior.

Research Opportunities

Gain experience conducting research and collaborating on projects with linguistics faculty on topics such as constructed languages, translation, and linguistic criticism. Truman offers various research experiences including TruScholars, a program for summer research that can include stipends.

Student Opportunities

Study abroad in China

Internships

Linguistics majors participate in internships all across the country as well as locations abroad such as China, Taiwan, and South Africa.

Professor and students

Literary Journals and Publications

Practice your skills while also sharing your work via Truman’s online literary journal, student-edited campus literary magazine, and student-produced newspaper.

Visiting Scholar

Visiting Scholars

Renowned guest writers and scholars from around the world present a range of seminars, masterclasses, and workshops on the Truman campus.

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