Linguistics

Undergraduate Program

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

The staff, faculty, and graduate students have been personally invested in my development as a student. There is plenty of opportunity to get involved with research.
2017 Linguistics Graduate

Four-Year Student Timeline

First Year

Explore Your Major

  • Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.

  • Familiarize yourself with major and college requirements

  • Enroll in LINGUIS 3, LINGUIS 5, LINGUIS 24, LINGUIS 55AC, or other lower division courses in Linguistics.

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

  • Attend the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Fair in October.

  • Learn about research taking place in the Linguistics department.

Engage Locally and Globally

  • Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.

  • Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Second Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Third Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

  • Update your resume and LinkedIn profile.

  • Discuss post-graduate options with advisors and professors.

  • Attend career and graduate school fairs

  • Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.

Fourth Year

Explore Your Major

  • Complete any “bucket list” courses and remaining major, college, and campus requirements.

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

What Can I Do With My Major?

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.

Learn More

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.