BA in Linguistics
Degree Program Description
The study of linguistics offers students a liberal education and a window into the fascinating human linguistic capacity. Students can obtain a BA in linguistics, and many students double-major in linguistics and another field. The BA prepares students for graduate study in linguistics and related fields. It also develops analytical and verbal skills that are valuable in a wide variety of professional careers.
Major Program Requirements
In addition to University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements, students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements in the College of Arts and Science must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated.
| Major core requirements (minimum) | 22 | |
| I. Required areas/courses | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | 3 | |
Select one of the following: | ||
| Human Language | ||
| Languages of Africa | ||
| Language Structure - At least one in-depth structure course such as: | 3 | |
| Structure of American English | ||
| Structure of Modern French | ||
| Structure of Modern Spanish | ||
| Phonology | 3 | |
| Phonology | ||
| Syntax | 3 | |
| Syntax (a structure course prerequisite) | ||
| Semantics | 3 | |
Select one of the following: | ||
| Elementary Logic | ||
| Language, Meaning, and Reality | ||
| Advanced Logic | ||
| II. Electives | ||
| At least one additional course from any part of the linguistics curriculum, including but not limited to those listed above and below | 3 | |
| Language variation | ||
| Languages of the World | ||
| Regional and Social Dialects of American English | ||
| Spanish Across the Continents | ||
| Language and Society: Spanish in the U.S. | ||
| Language and Culture | ||
| Culture as Communication | ||
| Gender, Language and Communication | ||
| Historical Linguistics and Language Change | ||
| Introduction to Old English | ||
| Historical Linguistics | ||
| History of the English Language | ||
| History of the French Language | ||
| History of the Spanish Language | ||
| Phonetics | ||
| American Phonetics | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism | ||
| Speech Acoustics | ||
| Spanish Phonetics | ||
| III. Capstone Course | 4 | |
| Field Methods in Linguistics | ||
Options
Topics courses such as LINGST 2001, LINGST 3001 and LINGST 4001 may also satisfy core requirements. Substitutions may be approved for courses in one of the required areas if no courses are available in that area during a student's senior year.
Semester Plan
Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| LINGST 1060 | 3 | Second Language II | 5 |
| ENGLSH 1000 | 3 | MATH 1100 | 3 |
| Social Science (MO State Law) | 3 | Behavioral Science | 3 |
| Second Language I | 5 | A&S Diversity | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| LINGST 2700 or PHIL 2700 | 3 | Linguistics Elective | 3 |
| Behavioral Science | 3 | Minor | 3 |
| Second Language III | 3 | Humanities/Fine Arts (Writing Intensive) | 3 |
| Social Science | 3 | Science with a Lab | 5 |
| Writing Intensive 1000+ | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| LINGST 4600, 4720, or 4721 | 3 | LINGST 4630 | 3 |
| Minor | 3 | Minor | 3 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 |
| Science | 3 | Science | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| LINGST 4640 | 3 | LINGST 4870 | 4 |
| Minor | 3 | Minor | 3 |
| Social Science | 3 | Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Total Credits: 121 | |||
Degree Audit
The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.
Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.
Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.
For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.
Major and Career Exploration
The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.
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If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.
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If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major.
- If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.