Discover the science of language and its impact on society, culture, and the mind.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics in the College of Letters & Science focuses on the scientific study of language. Students learn about sounds and their patterns (phonetics and phonology), word structure (morphology), sentence structure (syntax), meaning (semantics and pragmatics), and language and cognition; how languages evolve over time (comparative and historical linguistics); and how language is used in society (sociolinguistics and anthropological linguistics). The undergraduate Linguistics program offers students a unique opportunity to study an interesting and challenging discipline in one of the world's leading intellectual centers. Students benefit from an intense, personalized academic experience with smaller classes and opportunities to work with faculty and graduate students on original research projects.
Highlights
- Join the Society of Linguistics Undergraduate Students (SLUgS).
- Participate in the Linguistics Research Apprentice Practicum.
- Attend the Linguistic Institute with linguistics students and professionals.
Curriculum
Linguistics students attain a basic mastery of the field of linguistics, and develop skills in critical thinking, in communication, and in the use of research methodologies. For students who entered UC Berkeley Fall 2022 or later, the Linguistics major curriculum includes a lower division Linguistics course followed by LINGUIS 100 Introduction to Linguistic Science. Students then choose from "binned" courses which cover language and mind, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, phonetics, phonology, morphology, and syntax and semantics, as well as a broad range of electives. The binned courses allow students to master the primary subfields of the discipline, while electives allow students to investigate areas of particular interest. Linguistics majors also have access to the Linguistics Research Apprentice Practicum, study abroad programs, and an honors research program.
Learn more at lx.berkeley.edu/ugrad/program
Study Options
In addition to the major, the Department of Linguistics offers:
- Minor program in Linguistics
- American Sign Language courses
- Courses that fulfill Reading & Composition, American Cultures, and L&S breadth requirements
- Freshman Seminars (LINGUIS 24)
Many non-majors find it useful to take courses in Linguistics to complement their major work. A minor in Linguistics gives students official recognition for having completed a Linguistics sub-specialization.
Declaring the Major
Upon acceptance to UC Berkeley, you are admitted to the College of Letters & Science as an undeclared student. To declare the Linguistics major, you must complete LINGUIS 100 with a grade of “C” or higher, and then submit a Major Declaration Petition online or schedule an appointment with the Linguistics Undergraduate Major Advisor.
If you entered UC Berkeley as a four-year student: you may declare during sophomore or junior year after meeting the prerequisites.
If you entered UC Berkeley as a transfer: complete LINGUIS 100 in your first semester (or summer) and declare as soon as grades are available.
Linguistics graduates go on to work in a variety of careers, including health services, speech technology, legal consulting, writing, teaching, data mining, lexicography, and translation. Alumni also pursue graduate programs in linguistics, anthropology, psychology, education, sociology, and other fields, along with professional degrees in areas such as speech language pathology, information management, library and information studies, accounting, museum studies, neuroscience, and law.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying Linguistics. The Linguistics Department hosts information on careers and graduate school. The Social Sciences Career Readiness Internship Program helps prepare students for internships and the job market. The College of Letters & Science offers advising for undergraduates pursuing medical or health professions programs, law school, or masters and PhD programs. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include:
- Analytical Linguist
- Assistant Language Teacher
- Behavioral Interventionist
- Biological Research Assistant
- Content Manager
- Educational Technology Editor
- Forensic Linguist
- Linguistic Localization Consultant
- Litigation Paralegal Trainee
- Research scientist
- Site Reliability Engineer
- Software Engineer
- Technical Writer
- UI/UX/Web Developer
- User Experience Strategist
-
Video Editor
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- Computer Engineering
- Education
- Law
- Linguistics
- Spanish Language and Literature
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Urban Community Planning
Bryce, class of 2023
Bryce Wallace (BA, English and Linguistics) transferred to UC Berkeley, where Professor Eve Sweetser’s class on metaphor got him into linguistics and led to participation in her URAP project analyzing public discourse. This research culminated in an honors thesis on the rhetoric of anti-vax websites.
Bryce was selected as a Sharer Scholar and recipient of the Gilman Scholarship for study abroad as well as the College Corps Fellowship for his commitment to community service. Bryce gained national recognition when he was named a 2023 Beinecke Scholar, and intends to use the Beinecke Scholarship to help fund a PhD in English.
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Start exploring with L&S 1 and the L&S New Freshman Student Guide.
- Visit L&S Advising for help with major exploration and degree requirements.
- Familiarize yourself with the Linguistics major; enroll in lower division requirements such as LINGUIS 3 or 5.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar like LINGUIS 24 or Berkeley Changemaker course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organization such as the Society of Linguistics Undergraduate Students (SLUgS).
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Linguistics website.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Continue exploring with a Sophomore Seminar or Big Ideas course.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; see guidelines from the department and options for Linguistics abroad.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor such as Education.
- Verify you have completed all major prerequisites and declare the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend the Undergraduate Linguistics Symposium hosted by SLUgS.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to LRAP or URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Check out the Berkeley Language Center.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields; look into the Social Sciences Career Readiness Internship Program.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; look into the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Begin upper division requirements in the major, including LINGUIS 100 and upper division course bins.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus through UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
- Consider applying to the Linguistics Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Check out the Public Service Internship Program, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Browse grants from the Center for Race and Gender and Institute for the Study of Societal Issues.
- Browse the California Language Archive, a catalog of indigenous language materials.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association such as the Linguistic Society of America or American Association of Applied Linguistics.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events such as UC Berkeley Linguistics Alumni.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course like LINGUIS 100.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Attend the Linguistics Institute.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Data Science and Teaching English to Multilingual Students.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with L&S 198 Transitioning to Cal and the L&S New Transfer Student Guide.
- Review department info for transfer students; meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Enroll in LINGUIS 100; complete lower division requirements, if needed.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Verify you have completed all major prerequisites and declare the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organization such as the Society of Linguistics Undergraduate Students (SLUgS).
- Find support at the Transfer Student Center or Re-entry Student Program.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Check out the Berkeley Language Center.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Linguistics website.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Apply to the Social Sciences Career Readiness Internship Program.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Keep working on upper division requirements (course bins and electives).
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; see guidelines from the department and options for Linguistics abroad.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor such as Education.
- Consider applying to the Linguistics Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend the Undergraduate Linguistics Symposium hosted by SLUgS.
- Check out the Public Service Internship Program, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to LRAP or URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Browse grants from the Center for Race and Gender and Institute for the Study of Societal Issues.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Begin building your network and exploring career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Continue taking upper division course bins and electives.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus through UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a Transfer Peer Advocate.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Browse the California Language Archive, a catalog of indigenous language materials.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator
- Join a professional association such as the Linguistic Society of America or American Association of Applied Linguistics.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events such as UC Berkeley Linguistics Alumni.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Get ready for Berkeley with RHETOR 100 Writing at the University.
- Thinking about a PhD? Apply to the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship before your first semester.
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course like LINGUIS 100.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Attend the Linguistics Institute.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Data Science and Teaching English to Multilingual Students.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about Linguistics or choosing a major?
The Department of Linguistics offers undergraduate advising for students interested in the major or minor. The Undergraduate Major Advisor assists students with declaring the major, tracking academic progress, navigating administrative concerns, preparing for graduation, and providing general information on Linguistics courses. The Faculty Undergraduate Advisor is available to discuss academic and career development, and assist with graduate school planning. For advising contacts, visit lx.berkeley.edu or email lingmajoradvisor@berkeley.edu.
The College of Letters & Science helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, finding campus resources, and pre-professional graduate programs. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu or email asklns@berkeley.edu.
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