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Bachelors In

Linguistics Degrees

The complete guide on what you’ll learn, job prospects, university programs, and saving time and money.
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Why We Love It

  • $48,360
    Potential Avg. Salary*
  • Growing Demand
    Job Outlook

* Salary & growth data is based on the recent Bureau of Labor and Statistics data published at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes273091.htm for 27-3091 Interpreters and translators 11/2021. Based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.

With a bachelor of arts in linguistics, you’ll be well-prepared for a career focused on language and communication. Linguistics majors study how language is formed, composed, and has evolved over time.

They study phonetics, grammar, semantics, syntax, and composition, which helps them learn foreign languages more easily and work effectively as translators, interpreters, and writers.

What is a Degree in Linguistics?

Linguistics is the study of language: how words are composed in different languages, how words can be combined to create meaning, and how the meaning of language varies among different people and cultures. By dissecting languages and seeking to understand semantics, syntax, and grammar, linguists are able to learn foreign languages more easily, teach English more effectively, and train others how to communicate in a way that the intended meaning is clear to readers and listeners.

In a bachelor’s degree in linguistics program, students can choose to focus on linguistics analysis or sociolinguistics. Most programs require students to take coursework in at least one other foreign language, and many graduates move on to travel, study, and work abroad. Some work as educators, teaching foreign languages to English speakers, or teaching English to foreign-language speakers. Others work as translators or interpreters, translating conversations or texts into different languages.

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What Courses Would I Take For a Major in Linguistics?

  • Linguistic Analysis
  • Sociolinguistics
  • Phonetics and Phonology
  • Accents, Dialects, and Society
  • Language, Race, and Gender
  • Comparative Linguistics
  • Acquisition of Syntax
  • Pragmatics

What Jobs Can You Get with a Degree in Linguistics?

Because they are commonly fluent in multiple languages, there are ample opportunities for linguistics majors to find work in the U.S. and around the world after graduation.

Many choose to teach reading and writing in elementary schools, and demand is always high for effective teachers. Some work in the medical field—one of the fastest-growing industries—translating medical information into other languages for non-native English speakers, which is a crucial role as the U.S. population becomes increasingly diverse.

How Long does it take?

A bachelors in Linguistics will have a typical length of 4 years in a full time schedule. That said, there are many ways to speed up the timeframe by either taking more units via online coursework, community college, or taking free classes at OnlineDegree.com that could transfer to universities in the US.

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Best Jobs for Linguistics Degrees

Individuals with bachelor’s degrees in linguistics typically move into careers that are language-focused. Many work as educators, teaching English reading and writing skills in elementary schools or to non-native-speaking adults.

Some find work as interpreters and translators in both the U.S. and abroad. Many also find joy in working as writers and editors for a variety of publications, and some focus on sign language and provide teaching and care for the hearing-impaired.

How to save time and money

Our mission is to help you to avoid paying full price for college. We want your Linguistics degree to be affordable and accessible. Here’s how you could save:

Create Your Free SmartPlan

There are many ways to make college affordable and accessible.

That’s why we created a helpful tool called SmartPlan.

It’s free, and helps you find potential ways to save and tons of information about each school you’re considering

Think of it as your “college blueprint”, to help you instantly craft a path to your degree:

  • Which Colleges Match Your Needs
  • Ways You Could Save Time & Money
  • Free Courses You Could Take for Credit
  • Valuable Data and Insights on Each College
  • Detailed Steps You Should Take!

See what’s possible for you and generate a free plan within just a few minutes

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