Dec 12, 2024  
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25 
    
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25

Linguistics Major (B.A.)


Major Code BA5290

College of Arts and Sciences  
Linguistics Department  
Gordy Hall 383
Phone: 740.593.0297
www.ohio.edu/cas/linguistics

Michelle O’Malley, Advising Coordinator
haugh@ohio.edu

Program Overview

The B.A. in linguistics offers an opportunity for students to pursue inherently interdisciplinary content in a single department. While opportunities abound for coursework in other departments, Linguistics offers a view of communication and language systems from multiple vantage points. Sociolinguistics and Psycholinguistics integrate the study of societal organization and psychological applications of language while theoretical study of Linguistics exposes students to discrete areas of language form and function across languages and within larger language families. Students can apply their developing understanding of language organization and utilization via application courses ranging from Forensic Linguistics to Historical Linguistics to Language Documentation. Language is presented as a tool for connecting, for identifying and for exposing less salient aspects of who and what we are as well as where we’ve been.

Additionally, the Linguistics department offers a minor in Linguistics and two different pre-service teacher preparation modules in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and TELT (Technology Enhanced Language Teaching).

Knowledge of foreign language equivalent to three years of college-level study is required.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Change of Program Policy

No selective or limited admission requirements.

External Transfer Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

A degree in linguistics prepares students for career in a variety of different fields, including but not limited to advanced language study, translation, education, publishing, national security, international affairs, domestic/foreign policy, forensics, medicine and technology. Potential employers of linguists include public and private K-12 school systems, institutions of higher education,

language institutes, software developers, local, state, and federal government agencies, public health departments, rehabilitation centers, etc.

A bachelor’s degree in Linguistics will also benefit those who have an interest in language acquisition research, language teaching, and the development of materials and tools for language teaching, assessment, and research. Students may also benefit from a specialization in teaching English to speakers of other languages, which is valuable in obtaining employment both at home and abroad as a teacher of English as a second or foreign language (TESOL/TEFL).

Browse through dozens of internship opportunities and full-time job postings for Ohio University students and alumni on Handshake.

Requirements

University-wide Graduation Requirements


Ohio University requires the completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours for the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. This program can be completed within that 120-hour requirement. For more information on the minimum hours requirement and other university-wide requirements, please review the Graduation Requirements – University-wide  page.

Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement


View the College and Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirements .

Linguistics Hours Requirement


Complete a total of 34 semester credit hours of LING coursework, including all of the requirements below.

Linguistics Elective Requirement


Complete at least 7 hours from the following courses:

Linguistics Language Requirement


All Arts and Sciences B.A. students must complete two years of a foreign language. Linguistics majors must complete an additional year of the same or a different language.