Frequently Asked Questions

Language is a window into the mind. Linguistics provides an understanding of the human capacity to acquire, perceive and produce language and of language’s role in contemporary society.

Linguistics is the scientific study of language and its structure, including phonetics, phonology, syntax, morphology and semantics. In addition there are a number of sub-fields such as second language acquisition, psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics and computational linguistics.

The Department of Linguistics offers two undergraduate degrees: a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.). The department also offers two undergraduate minors: general studies and second language acquisition. 

The degree you choose will depend upon your career plans. For most students, the B.A. degree is best. This degree requires four semesters of a foreign language, in addition to several courses in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The B.A. degree is the choice of students interested in a broad, well-rounded liberal arts education.

The B.G.S. degree allows students to explore two fields of study without double majoring. This degree does not require four semesters of a foreign language.

Yes, double majoring is a popular option with many B.A. students. A linguistics degree complements such majors as education, computer science, psychology, speech and hearing sciences, business and languages.

Your opportunities will be determined by your interests, your imagination and your willingness to work. Linguistics is a superb preparation for careers that require expertise in the use of language as a means of communication, e.g., business, communications, personnel administration, teaching, health care and social service. Many majors pursue graduate study in education, law, psychology, computer science, speech and hearing sciences and languages.

Once you are enrolled at KU, you can take courses. You become a major when you complete a major declaration form, which you can get from the Linguistics Department's Undergraduate Advisor.

The Department of Linguistics has no admission prerequisites or requirements before declaring a major under our B.A./B.G.S. degrees.  Once you are enrolled at KU, you can take courses. Prospective KU students should review the KU Admissions website.  If you are interested in visiting the department, the Visitors Center can help you plan a visit, including an appointment with a Linguistics faculty advisor.

In order to declare as a Linguistics major, students should schedule an appointment with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. John Gluckman or complete the Declare Major/Minor form below.  Mikhayla Sheeley in Jayhawk Academic Advising is another option by emailing her at msheeley@ku.edu.  You can schedule an appointment by using the Jayhawk GPS App or online.  Virtual Drop-Ins are available on Thursdays, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Yes, our faculty are very open and interested in working with students who are interested in research.  Please contact your faculty undergraduate advisor or the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), Dr. John Gluckman at johnglu@ku.edu. 

Linguistics Department

Dr. John Gluckman

Director of Undergraduate Studies

Office: 411 Blake Hall

Phone: 785-864-1415

Email: johnglu@ku.edu

Jayhawk Academic Advising

Mikhayla Sheeley

Academic Advisor

Email: msheeley@ku.edu

Appointments | Virtual Drop-Ins (Thursdays, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.)

Schedule an appointment using the Jayhawk GPS App or online

Departmental Honors in Linguistics recognizes students who complete an undergraduate research project working closely with Faculty in Linguistics, and show excellence in their academic performance in the Linguistics major.

To be considered for the B.A. degree with Honors in Linguistics, a student must fulfill all the regular course requirements for the undergraduate major with a grade point average of at least 3.5 in Linguistics. A specific additional requirement for Honors is completion of Linguistics 496 (Honors Essay in Linguistics) with a grade of B or better. Normally, the student enrolls in Ling 496 (Fall semester of senior year) under the direction of one faculty member in the Linguistics Department. The Honors candidate will carry out original research and write up the results of the study in a form suitable for being kept on file in the departmental library. The course grade for LING 496 is determined by the supervising faculty member.  Students considering going for Honors are encouraged to look at previous Honors Theses in the departmental library. A student who intends to work for Honors must file a Departmental Honors Intent Form with CLAS Student Academic Services. (No later than one semester before they graduate.)

When the Honors Thesis is approved by the supervising faculty advisor, the advisor in consultation with the candidate will convene an honors review panel with two additional Linguistics faculty members. The panel will include the supervising faculty member. The panel reviews the student’s Honors Thesis, and reports to the departmental Honors Coordinator whether honors shall be granted. The Honors Coordinator in turn checks the GPA requirement and reports the results to CLAS Student Academic Services at the appropriate time. The department also requires the Honors candidate to present their honors research to the Linguistics Department where other students and faculty may attend (usually at the end of the spring semester).

For more information about Departmental Honors in Linguistics, or to learn about other opportunities to engage in undergraduate research in Linguistics, please contact the Undergraduate Honors/Research Coordinator, Dr. Utako Minai or the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. John Gluckman at johnglu@ku.edu.

KU has hundreds of programs to choose from.  If your interests changes, please contact your undergraduate advisor or Dr. John Gluckman at johnglu@ku.edu.

Yes, the Department offers two certificate programs.  One is the Mind and Brain certificate (pdf) for undergraduate students. The other certificate program is the Second Language Studies (SLS) Certificate, which is available to graduate students.