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Linguistics

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Where language meets technology

As a linguistics student, you’ll explore how language shapes the way people communicate, learn, connect, and innovate. From multilingual communities and language education to artificial intelligence, translation, and emerging technologies, linguistics helps you understand one of humanity’s most powerful tools. Through hands-on learning and our flexible pathways, you’ll discover how your interests connect to real-world opportunities and be prepared to solve communication challenges across communities, cultures, industries, and technologies.

A language innovator in the making

A degree in linguistics opens doors to a diverse range of career opportunities across various industries. Some possible careers for linguistic majors include:

  • Speech language pathologist
  • AI conversation designer
  • English language teacher
  • Language learning app developer
  • Language assessment specialist
  • Translator and interpreter
  • Forensic linguist
  • Language analyst
  • Writer and editor

Linguistics career pathways

Our BA in Linguistics at Iowa State University provides you with the foundation you need for continuing along your chosen pathways into language careers.

  • Speech therapist and young child looking at cards

    Communication Disorders and Pre-Speech Language Pathology

    Become a speech language pathologist by taking linguistics courses in the Speech, Language, and Communication Disorders group that will help you build your application into a graduate program in speech pathology.

  • Young smiling man with headphones on at a computer

    Human-AI Communication and Language Technologies

    Equip yourself for an evolving career landscape shaped by the development and integration of language technologies in society. You can even minor in applied artificial intelligence by taking three linguistics courses from the Language and Technology group (LING 1200, 3260X, and 4100) along with two required courses for the minor.

  • Class, woman teacher and book for learning, kindergarten education and point to picture. Storytelling, educator and communication with kids at school academy, english lesson and knowledge development.

    English Language Teaching

    Prepare to work as a teacher of English as a second language by taking courses in the Second Language Learning & Teaching group (LING 3220, 3180, and 4250) along with required linguistics courses to earn a minor in teaching English as a second language. You can also consider taking the next step by applying to the 4+1 combined BA in linguistics and MA program in TESL/Applied Linguistics.

  • Couple agreed on contract terms and conditions, signing legal document, finalize negotiations process successfully with financial advisor or real-estate agent, buy property or getting bank mortgage

    Spanish-English Translation and Interpretation

    Open doors to a future as a communication specialist at the nexus of cross-cultural connections and cross-linguistic conversations. You can use the five courses in the Spanish Linguistics group to earn a minor and build a foundation for work in the world and for additional graduate study.

  • Two smiling students on Iowa State's central campus looking at a print out

    Forge Your Own Path

    Build your own pathway by selecting from recommended electives, choosing among many possible minors, or earning a second major (such as languages (such as Chinese, French, or Spanish), communication (journalism or communication studies), social sciences (political science or sociology), or analytic methods (mathematics, philosophy, or statistics).

  • Samantha Robinson-Adams

    Contact an Advisor

    Still feeling unsure? Contact Linguistics advisor Samantha Robinson-Adams, at slr@iastate.edu with any questions about how a degree in linguistics can help you meet your career goals!

Getting started in linguistics

Explore your interest in language, linguistics, and communication with linguistics courses such as 1180 Animal Communication, 1190 Introduction to World Languages, 1200 Technology & Language, 1690 Taboo Language, 2190 Introduction to Linguistics, and 2210 Introduction to Communication Disorders.

Major requirements

In addition to general education course requirements in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS), all Linguistics majors must complete at least 36 credits of coursework in specific Linguistics classes, and 12 additional credits in Linguistics or English are also required. Students should discuss these choices with their advisor before registering.

Class Code Description Credits
LING 1190 Introduction to World Languages 3
LING 2070 Introduction to Symbolic Logic 3
LING 2190 Introduction to Linguistics 3
LING 2200 Descriptive English Grammar 3
LING 3710 Phonetics and Phonology 3
LING 4130 Psychology of Language 3
LING 4200 History of the English Language 3
LING 4370 Grammatical Analysis 3

Speech, Language & Communication Disorders
LING 2210 Intro to Communication Disorders 3
LING 4710 Language & Reading Development in Children 3
LING 4720 Anatomy & Physiology of Speaking 3
LING 4730 Speech Sound Disorders 3

Technology & Language
LING 1200 Technology & Language 3
LING 3260 Human Language and Generative AI 3
LING 4100 Language as Data 3

Second Language Learning & Teaching
ENGL 3220 Language and Society 3
ENGL 3180 Teaching Methods for ESL Learners 3
LING 4250 Second Language Learning and Teaching 3

Spanish Linguistics
LING 3510 Introduction to Spanish-English Translation 3
LING 3520 Spanish Pronunciation 3
LING 3540 Introduction to Spanish-English Interpretation 3
LING 4620 Contrastive Analysis of Spanish/ English for Translators 3
LING 4630 Contemporary Spanish Linguistics 3

Language Variation
ENGL 3190 Studies in Language and Diversity 3
ENGL 3220 Language and Society 3
LING 4220 Language and Gender 3

Additional courses in linguistics include Introduction to Culture and Language (ANTHR/LING 3090), Truth, Meaning, and Necessity (PHIL/LING 3170), Nonverbal Communication (COMST 3250), Theory of Computing (LING 3310), as well as special topics in language use (LING 3190) and language structure (LING 3200), which are repeatable for different topics. Other courses include study abroad (LING 3950), and independent studies (LING 4900).

Wes Martin

The Linguistics program gave me full preparation for what I was going to see in the classroom (teaching English as a Second Language).

Wes Martin, ’15 linguistics

Minors and K-12 endorsement

Students interested in a minor in the study of linguistics can choose from either a Linguistics minor or a minor in the Teaching of English as Second Language (TESL).

K-12 endorsement

The ESL endorsement is at least 18 hours of specified coursework in areas related to the teaching of English as a Second Language in addition to meeting the other requirements for basic education and professional educational courses. Iowa State University requires 21 credit hours in ESL.

Our mission is to provide a top quality program for students preparing to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) in the public schools of Iowa. The growing number of English language learners (ELLs) nationwide makes the ESL endorsement a useful addition to an endorsement in elementary education or middle and high school content areas (e.g., English, Spanish, science). This program is also useful for students who wish to teach English abroad in programs such as the Peace Corps.

At Iowa State University, ESL is an add-on endorsement, which means that students need to be certified in another area and to take all basic teacher preparation courses. Courses, in accordance with state requirements and the professional standards of TESOL, are designed to give students a framework in linguistics applied to second language education with appropriate methods and practice teaching. For further information, view our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) or contact Samantha Robinson-Adams, ESL Endorsement Coordinator.

Experiences

Linguistics ClubStudents at Iowa State University can tailor their experience to make sure they gain valuable skills for the future.

A wide variety of student organizations and clubs such as the Linguistics Club, a club open to Linguistics majors, minors, and all language lovers from Iowa State University, are available for students to join—including academic, honor societies, political & activism, and intramural sports.

Gain leadership and service experience through student activities, go to one of the many fun campus events like the Cyclone Carnival, or learn more about clubs and activities at the annual ClubFest to see the many ways you can get involved during your time at Iowa State.

Students from every background can apply for departmental scholarships once a year to help fund their education and better focus on what’s important – the experience.

 

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