Introduction to the Major
Linguistics is the scientific study of language. Linguists seek to understand the use, structure, and meaning of language by investigating languages from around the world, how languages change over time, and the relationship of language to society and cognition. Linguistics is interdisciplinary, drawing on and contributing to work in anthropology, philosophy, psychology, and computer science. Through a strong tradition of research collaboration, linguists at Berkeley conduct cutting-edge research on language, deepening and enriching our understanding of this unique human trait.
The Major Curriculum
Students in linguistics benefit from an intense, personalized academic experience through smaller classes and ample opportunities to work with faculty and graduate students on research projects.
The four main components of the major are: 1) The Lower Division Requirement, 2) The Prerequisite to Declare, 3) The Binned Courses Requirement, and 4) The Upper Division Electives Requirement.
The foundational course is LINGUIS 100 (“Introduction to Linguistic Science”), a general survey of linguistics. Students then take upper division courses which focus on different aspects of language.
Amplify Your Major
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Join a student organization such as the Society of Linguistics Undergraduate Students (SLUgS)
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Work directly with a graduate student on research through the Linguistics Research Apprentice Practicum
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Visit the California Language Archive, a catalog of indigenous language materials.
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Participate in the Linguistic Society of America (LSA) Linguistic Institute.
First Year
Explore Your Major
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Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
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Familiarize yourself with major and college requirements
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Enroll in LINGUIS 3, LINGUIS 5, LINGUIS 24, LINGUIS 55AC, or other lower division courses in Linguistics.
Connect and Build Community
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Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect.
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Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center
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Join a student organization such as the Society of Linguistics Undergraduate Students (SLUgS).
Discover Your Passions
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Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar such as LINGUIS 24, L&S 1, or a student-run DeCal course
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Attend the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Fair in October.
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Learn about research taking place in the Linguistics department.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
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Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library
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Develop a plan for getting career ready.
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Sign up for Handshake and CareerMail
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Explore career fields in the Career Connections Networking Series or Cal Job Shadow Program.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
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Enroll in LINGUIS 100, the only prerequisite to declare the major.
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After completing LINGUIS 100 declare the major by submitting your Major Declaration Petition
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Review major guidelines for study abroad and explore related programs
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Consider participating in the Linguistics Enrichment Experience Program (LEEP).
Connect and Build Community
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Start attending Linguistics department events
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Visit the California Language Archive, a catalog of indigenous language materials.
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Join the Friends of Berkeley Linguistics on Facebook.
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Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
Discover Your Passions
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Continue with a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course
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Work directly with a graduate student on research through the Linguistics Research Apprentice Practicum (LRAP)
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Assist faculty in their research through URAP.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Work with a community organization in an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course
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Consider a Berkeley Global Internship in the United States or abroad.
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Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Reflect on your education so far and skills and experience you still wish to build.
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Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator.Meet with a Career Center counselor to discuss your career options and goals.
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Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair
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Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
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Continue taking the major’sUpper Division Course Bins requirements and start approved upper division electives
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Review your degree progress with your major and college advisors.
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Participate in research activities like Linguistics Research Apprentice Practicum (LRAP)
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Ask the major advisor about the Linguistics Honors Program.
Connect and Build Community
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Home in on your interests through a group or forum like the Fieldwork Forum or the Syntax & Semantics Circle
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Explore resources offered by the Berkeley Language Center and look for upcoming lectures of interest.
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Attend QP fest to hear from graduate students about their individual research projects firsthand.
Discover Your Passions
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Continue to work directly with a graduate student on research through the Linguistics Research Apprentice Practicum (LRAP)
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Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF
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Enrich your studies with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Apply for a leadership position in your student organization.
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Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program
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Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
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Discuss post-graduate options with advisors and professors.
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Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
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Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
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Complete any “bucket list” courses and remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
Connect and Build Community
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Join a professional association such as the Linguistic Society of America (LSA) or American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL)
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Connect with alumni groups such as the Linguistics Alumni group and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
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Teach your own DeCal course
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Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study and submit your work to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal
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Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program
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Interested in a public service career? Apply for the John Gardner Fellowship
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Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps or the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Explore career and graduate school resources on the Linguistics department website.
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Meet employers at Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting
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Stay updated on career events offered by student organizations like SLUgS Berkeley.
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Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
The Linguistics major provides a variety of career and graduate school possibilities. Graduates go on to work in a range of fields, including health services, speech technology, legal consulting, writing, teaching, data mining, lexicography, and translation.
Jobs and Employers
- Analytical Linguist, Google
- Assistant Language Teacher, JET
- Behavioral Interventionist, Ctr. for Autism and Related Disorders
- Biological Research Asst., UC Berkeley
- Content Manager
- Educational Technology Editor
- Forensic Linguist
- Linguist, Sensory, Inc.
- Linguistic Localization Consultant
- Litigation Paralegal Trainee, Computerlaw Group
- Professional Brand Namer
- Research scientist
- Site Reliability Engineer, Google
- Software Engineer, Abstract
- Technical Writer
- UI/UX/Web Developer, AXA Rosenberg
- User Experience Strategist
- Video Editor, Udemy
Graduate Programs
- Computer Engineering, Masters
- Elementary Education, Masters
- Law, JD
- Linguistics, PhD
- Spanish Language and Lit., Masters
- Speech-Language Pathology, Masters
- Urban Community Planning, Masters
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more. Attend the “Ask a linguist” session to learn more about language and find out from current undergraduates what it's like to be a Linguistics major.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit lx.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Students can schedule appointments or email general questions to the major advisor at LingMajorAdvisor@berkeley.edu
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.