Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics Major - General Linguistics Option California State University, Fresno

A B.A. in Linguistics can prepare students for a career in many areas, including translation and interpreting; publishing; editing and grammar checking; lexicography (dictionary development); indigenous language documentation, and preservation. In law or criminology, Linguistics graduates have a special understanding of legal issues involving language or the use of language evidence in litigation (forensic linguistics). In health care, students with a linguistics degree can take advanced training and pursue careers in speech pathology and related areas. Many corporations recruit linguistics majors for development and marketing positions.

In each option, students receive a basic grounding in the nature and structure of human language. The General Linguistics option provides a range of courses to prepare students for graduate study, fieldwork, and employment where linguistic skills are essential.

What You Can Learn

• Linguistic analysis methodology: phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics
• Language documentation and preservation
• Second language teaching methods and practical training
• Language and the brain

A B.A. with a major in linguistics requires 36-46 units completed, depending on which option, the General Education requirement, specific course/skill requirements, electives, and remaining degree requirements totaling at least the 120 units required for a B.A.

1. Major requirements (37 units)

Core Requirements (24 units)
LING 100, LING 139, LING 142, LING 143, LING 148, LING 151, LING 156, LING 165

General Linguistics Option (13 units)
LING 145, LING 153, LING 154, CGSCI 100

2. General Education requirements (48 units)

3. Other requirements (9 units)
American Government and Institutions (PLSI 2), Multicultural and International (MI), and Upper-division writing

4. Sufficient elective units to meet required total units (varies)
(See Degree Requirements); may be used toward a double major or minor

5. Total units (120)*
* G.E. and MI courses can be double-counted with major requirements. See advisor for details.