Major Advising and Declaring
The requirements listed here apply to students declaring in the 2023-2024 catalog year. Students follow the major and minor requirements found in the catalog in effect at the time they declared their major or minor. (To find your catalog year, check your unofficial transcript on Web4U or check the appropriate line in Degree Works.) Note that when catalog year requirements differ and new requirements are in place or courses are no longer offered, you will determine a plan of study in consultation with your advisor. University Catalog
Linguistics, BA
60 credits
The Linguistics Major engages students in the scientific study of language. Students learn techniques to explore patterns of human languages to discover what they have in common, how they differ, how they are acquired, how they change and vary, and what they reveal about the human brain. Students explore what linguistic findings tell us about human cognitive abilities and social interactions. While the methods and theories of linguistics are specific to the discipline, courses in the linguistics major address questions that are of key importance more broadly, and can be applied to such areas as artificial intelligence, language learning and teaching, the law, business, and life.
How to Declare
To declare, a student should have completed the following requirements:
- LING 201 or ANTH 247 or HNRS 217 with a grade of “B-” or better
- If you have not yet completed LING 201 but are very interested in a Linguistics major or minor, you may contact the department manager or chair about declaring as a pre-major and the possibility of enrolling in LING 310.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.5
- If there are extenuating circumstances, we are happy to discuss this with you. Don’t let a GPA below 2.5 stop you from talking with a linguistics advisor about the major.
When you are ready to declare:
- Fill out section 1 of the Student Academic Declaration & Change Form. Enter the email address Linguistics@wwu.edu at the bottom, then click "submit."
An advisor will work with you through email to complete a linguistics Major Checklist.
Language Requirement for Majors
Not a requirement for Minors
One year of college-level study of a non-Indo-European language:
- Chinese 102 and 103
- or Japanese 102 and 103
- or Arabic 102 and 103
- or others under advisement
or two years of college-level study of an Indo-European language:
- Spanish 202 and 203
- or French 202 and 203
- or German 202 and 203
- or Russian 202 and 203
- or Greek 202 and 203
- or Latin 202 or 203
- or others under advisement
The language requirement may be waived in consultation with the Chair in some circumstances for native or fluent speakers/signers of non-English languages, in which case the required credits for the major will come from additional upper division linguistics classes under advisement.
Grade Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.
Graduation Procedure for Major Evaluations
Graduation paperwork is due to the Registrar's Office at least two quarters in advance of graduation. Due dates can be found on the Degree Application
Your graduation paperwork will include:
- Degree Application, completed by you.
- Major Evaluation, completed by the linguistics department manager or chair.
- Minor Evaluation, completed by the minor department.
Please contact Sara Helms, helmss@wwu.edu, for a completed Major Evaluation. Include your W# with your request. Sara will approve your request in Degree Works, pending completion of remaining requirements displayed in Degree Works.
Linguistics, Literature, and Writing, BA, with Teaching Endorsement Option
85 credits (58 additional credits for teacher certification)
This major combines the study of language with the study of literature and writing. It is also an excellent foundation for those who want to be high school English Language Arts teachers. Teacher certification with an endorsement in secondary education requires completion of the professional preparation program in Secondary Education offered through Woodring College of Education.
How to Declare
Students wishing to declare as a major should contact Sara Helms, sara.helms@wwu.edu.
Before declaring, a student must have completed ENG 202 (a prerequisite that does not count towards major credits) and LING 201 (or ANTH 247 or HNRS 217) with a grade of “B-” or better (or permission of chair).
Grade Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.
Teaching Endorsement Option
To receive a recommendation to the State of Washington for a teaching certificate with an English Language Arts endorsement, students must complete the “teacher certification” program offered by the Department of Secondary Education as 1) part of the undergraduate BA degree, or 2) a post baccalaureate program, or 3) part of the Master’s in Teaching program. See the Secondary Education Admission and Registration website for more information and for the Secondary Education Application. Early advising is encouraged to ensure your eligibility to apply- contact Woodring Advising at WCE.Advising@wwu.edu.
Graduation Procedure for Major Evaluations
Graduation paperwork is due to the Registrar's Office at least two quarters in advance of graduation. Due dates can be found on the Degree Application
Your graduation paperwork will include:
- Degree Application, completed by you.
- Major Evaluation, completed by the linguistics department manager or chair.
- Minor Evaluation, completed by the minor department.
Please contact Sara Helms, helmss@wwu.edu, for a completed Major Evaluation. Include your W# with your request. Sara will approve your request in Degree Works, pending completion of remaining requirements displayed in Degree Works.