Major Advising and Declaring
The requirements listed here apply to students declaring in the 2026-2027 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
If you have an interest in linguistics, reach out to Sara Helms, sara.helms@wwu.edu, to learn more about the major, including how to declare.
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."
Language Requirement for Majors
Not a requirement for Minors
EITHER one year of college-level study of:
- Chinese 102 and 103
- or Japanese 102 and 103
- or Arabic 102 and 103
- or American Sign Language 102 and 103
- or others under advisement
OR two years of college-level study of:
- 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 some circumstances for lived experience with another language, 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
75 credits (59 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. Courses required for a state teaching endorsement must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
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 website for more information. 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.
Linguistics and English — Multilingual Education, BA, with Teaching Endorsement Option
90 credits (59-64 additional credits for teacher certification)
The Linguistics and English – Multilingual Education Concentration with Teaching Endorsement Options major focuses on the study of linguistics, language, literacy, literatures in historical and cultural contexts, composition and rhetoric, and creative writing. Majors take a range of courses that provide a solid foundation for someone interested in teaching English at the secondary level or teaching ELL/Multilingual Education at the P-12 level.
How to Declare
Meet with the Linguistic Department Advisor Sara Helms to declare this major. Meet with Secondary English Education Advisor Anthony Celaya to discuss the Secondary ELA Endorsement. Meet with the MLE Advisor Jennifer Green to discuss the ELL/Multilingual endorsement.
The prerequisites for declaring the major are 60 credits completed and ENG 202 and LING 201.
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. Courses required for a state teaching endorsement must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
Teaching Endorsement Option
The Linguistics and English – Multilingual Education Concentration with Teaching Endorsement Options major leads to a baccalaureate degree without teacher certification. To receive a recommendation for state of Washington teacher certification with an English Language Arts endorsement, students must complete all major courses, pass the NES exam for English language arts, and complete a teacher certification program offered by a Department of Secondary Education as one of the following:
- A part of the undergraduate baccalaureate degree.
- A post-baccalaureate program.
- A part of the Master in Teaching program.
This major also prepares students for an Additional Endorsement in ELL and/or Multilingual Education (P-12). Five additional credits of Multilingual coursework (MLE 445) must be taken beyond the major to complete the endorsement.
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.