The department offers a broad range of courses that provide a basic understanding of human language and communication. Linguistics courses examine features of language that underlie the human capacity to express concepts and communicate ideas. The courses address the connections between language, brain, culture, mind, and history. The major gives students a basic understanding of the human capacity to acquire, perceive, and produce language and of language’s role in contemporary society.

Linguistics is a superb preparation for careers that require expertise in the use of language as a means of communication, e.g., business, communications, personnel administration, teaching, health care, and social service. Many majors pursue graduate study in education, law, psychology, computer science, speech and hearing sciences, and languages.

Requirements for the B.A. or B.G.S. Major

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Core 34 General Education		34
The KU Core 34 is comprised of 34-35 credit hours typically completed during the first two years of study. The Core 34 consists of the following requirements: English (6), Communications (3), Math & Statistics (3), Natural & Physical Sciences with lab (4-5), Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 in two different disciplines), Arts & Humanities (6 in two different disciplines), US Culture (3), and Global Culture (3)
MATH 107 Introduction to Statistics is the designated "math pathway"course. MATH 101 and MATH 105 are also accepted. These courses will fulfill your Core 34 Math and Statistics requirement.
LING 106 is a required course of the major. Students are strongly advised to satsify 3 credits of their Core 34 Global Culture by taking this course.
LING 110 is a required course of the major. Students are strongly advised to satsify 3 credits of their Core 34 US Culture by taking this course.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) Degree Requirements		16-21
Students will follow the BA or BGS degree specific requirements based on their degree selection. BA students will demonstrate proficiency in a Non-English Language, complete a Quantitative Literacy course, a Laboratory or Field Experience, and two semesters of Writing. BGS students will complete a minor, two certificates, or a second major and a Career Preparation Course. Please see the College's undergraduate tab for more detailed information on these requirements.
1 credit hour of a Laboratory of Field Experience, 6 credit hours of Writing, and 3 credit hours of Quantitative Literacy are required for all BA students. These requirements will be met through the completion of the KU Core 34.
Major Requirements
LING 106	Introductory Linguistics	3
or LING 107	Introductory Linguistics, Honors
LING 110	Language and Mind	3
or LING 111	Language and Mind, Honors
LING 305	Phonetics I	3
LING 312	Phonology I	3
LING 325	Syntax I	3
Acquisition		3
Majors must complete one of the following courses:
LING 415	Second Language Acquisition I
LING 425	First Language Acquisition I
Processing		3
Major must complete one of the following courses:
LING 435	Psycholinguistics I
LING 438	Neurolinguistics I
Diversity		3
Major must complete one of the following courses (or a different LING course approved by Linguistics advisor):
LING 300	Language, AI, and the Internet
LING 308	Linguistic Analysis
LING 320	Language in Culture and Society
or LING 321	Language in Culture and Society, Honors
LING 343	Bilingualism
LING 370	Introduction to the Languages of Africa
LING 443	Language Variation and Change
LING 447	North American Indian Languages
LING 570	The Structure of Japanese
LING 572	The Structure of Chinese
LING 575	The Structure of: _____
Advanced Course		3
Majors must complete one of the following courses (or a LING Seminar with permission of instructor and approval by Linguistics advisor):
LING 507	Phonetics II
LING 514	Phonology II
LING 516	Second Language Acquisition II
LING 526	Syntax II
LING 527	Morphology
LING 531	Semantics
LING 537	Psycholinguistics II
LING 539	First Language Acquisition II
LING 541	Field Methods in Linguistic Description
LING 542	Neurolinguistics II
General Electives		40-35
Students will need to complete additional general elective credits to reach the required 120 hours.
Capstone Experience		3
Majors must complete one capstone course:
LING 420	Capstone: Research in Language Science
or LING 421	Capstone: Typology-Unity and Diversity of Human Language
Total Hours		120

Major Hours & Major GPA

While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and GPA minimum standards:

Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 junior/senior (300+) hours of KU resident credit in the major. 

Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.

Major Junior/Senior (300+) Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.

A sample 4-year plan for the BA degree in Linguistics can be found here: Linguistics, or by using the left-side navigation.

A sample 4-year plan for the BGS degree in Linguistics can be found here: Linguistics, or by using the left-side navigation.

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At the completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• demonstrate an ability to reason analytically about language
• conduct a study that critically evaluates a hypothesis about language and generates new ideas about language
• communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing about language
• demonstrate a critical and reflective awareness of linguistic diversity
• demonstrate integrity and responsibility in the conduct of linguistics research