This program allows you to explore the scientific study of language. Linguistics courses are recommended for anyone interested in understanding the principles that underlie language.
BA in English: Concentration in Linguistics
If you are working toward your BA in English, you may choose to concentrate in Linguistics by completing five Linguistics courses in addition to core English coursework. For a complete list of requirements for the BA in English with a Linguistics concentration, see the UAB Undergraduate catalog.
Minor in Linguistics
The Minor in Linguistics allows students to pair a major with focused classes on the science and structures of language.
A complete list of minor requirements and courses is available in the UAB Undergraduate Catalog.
Featured Alumni
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Rebekah Kummer
One month after graduation, Rebekah Kummer landed a job as a Technical Writer/Editor II at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. Read more about Rebekah.
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Jeff Hodges
Words matter. No one knows that better than alumnus Jeff Hodges who has made a career out of helping others, most recently in his role as Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion Talent Program Manager for Regions Bank. Read more about Jeff.
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DeJordique Pearson
DeJordique Pearson never planned to be an English teacher in Vietnam, but he quickly fell in love with his "backup country." Read more about DeJordique.
What Will I Study?
As a language scientist, you will study how people turn thoughts into sentences. You will explore such diverse topics as grammar, dialects, language history, sound systems, language acquisition, and language and the brain, among other areas. Linguistics is deeply interdisciplinary, having ties to anthropology, cognitive science, education, foreign language, philosophy, computer science, and psychology.
What About My Career?
Completing the English major with a concentration in linguistics can make a student uniquely suited for a number of different professions — law, medicine, education, writing, government service (such as the FBI), professional translation, or diplomacy, to name a few. Our linguistics students have entered diverse fields upon graduation: speech therapy, technical writing, language-related software development, law, and neurological medicine.
Resources
Do you want to learn more about the study of linguistics, its uses in everyday life, the science behind it, or the many career opportunities it gives? Explore these websites:
Contact
David Basilico
Director of Linguistics
University Hall 5037
(205) 934-8588
Margaret Jay Jessee
Director of Undergraduate Studies
University Hall 5055
(205) 975-3751