Admission
For information on admission requirements for B.A. degrees, please consult the Undergraduate Catalog or Admissions in the University main pages.
Requirements for the degree of B.A. in Linguistics
To earn a liberal arts major in linguistics, students must complete the following program of study. Credits toward the major will only be allowed for courses completed with a grade of 2.0 or higher. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is required for courses included in the major.
1. A minimum of 32 credits including:
- LIN 201 (with a grade of 3.0 or higher),
- 302 or 307,
- 303,
- 304,
- 403 or 404,
- 470 (fulfills the university general education requirement for the capstone experience and for a writing intensive course in the major or general education).
- At least 8 additional credits of 300-400 level ALS or LIN courses.
2. At least 8 additional credits from LIN or ALS courses or from ENG 215; MTH 302, 415, 475; FRH 215, 312, 314; SPN 313, 314; PHL 107, 329, 333, 370, 437; or PSY 316.
3. Either
- two year’s study of a single foreign language through the 215 level or higher, or
- LIN 409 and one year’s study of a single foreign language through the 115 level or higher.
In either case, first year proficiency in at least one foreign language is required, and can be demonstrated by satisfactory completion of a foreign language course at the 115 level.
4. Only two ALS or LIN courses at the 100 and 200 level will be accepted for credit toward the major.
Requirements for the liberal arts minor in linguistics
To earn a liberal arts minor in linguistics, students must complete a minimum of 20 credits, to include:
1. LIN 201 (with a grade of 3.0 or higher), 303, 304, and either 403 or 404.
2. At least 4 credits from 300-400 level LIN or ALS courses.
Credits toward the minor will only be allowed for courses completed with a grade of 2.0 or higher. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is required for courses included in the minor.
Requirements for the modified major in Linguistics with a minor in Computer Science, B.A. Program
To earn the modified major, students must complete:
1. A minimum of 24 credits in linguistics courses to include LIN 201 (with a grade of 3.0 or higher), 303, 304, 470, and either 403 or 404. LIN 470 fulfills the university general education requirement for the capstone experience and for a writing intensive course in the major or general education.
2. A minimum of 20 credits in CSE courses as follows: CSE 120 and 130; and three courses chosen from CSE 220, 247, 248, 251, 230. At least 12 of these credits must be taken at Oakland University. An average grade of at least 2.0 is required in courses counted toward this minor. See requirements for the minor in computing in the School of Engineering and Computer Science.
3. PHL 370.
Requirements for a concentration in linguistics with modified majors in other departments
Students may elect a modified major in anthropology, communication, English, philosophy, psychology, or sociology, with a concentration in linguistics.
The core in linguistics requires 16 credits including LIN 201 (with a grade of 3.0 or higher), 303, 304 and either 403 or 404. An additional 4 credits are required for the specific concentration as follows: ALS 374 or 375 (anthropology), LIN 305 (communication), ENG 376 (english), LIN 307 or 407 (philosophy), ALS 335 (psychology), and ALS 376 (sociology).
For requirements in the modified majors, consult the appropriate department.
Departmental Honors
The Department of Linguistics offers departmental honors to students who achieve a grade point average of 3.6 or above in specified courses. In the case of the liberal arts major, the courses include the eight required LIN and ALS courses and the two courses in the cognate area. In the case of the modified major with a minor in computer science, the courses include the six required LIN and ALS courses, the five required CSE courses and PHL 370. The department also recommends honors for students who have modified majors in other departments with concentrations in linguistics.