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An Introduction to Linguistics at San Diego State University
Linguistics is an essential tool for people committed to vocational and intellectual pursuits that involve language. We help students learn about the complexities of world languages and their relationship to cultures and society.
Through coursework rooted in linguistics and anthropology, you’ll gain theories and analytical frameworks for exploring how language shapes and is shaped by our understandings of the world.
Majors
As a linguistics major, you’ll study the scientific analysis of language – its sounds (phonetics and phonology), words (morphology), sentences (syntax) and meaning (semantics). You’ll also learn about how languages change over time, how people acquire new languages, and how language is used in various cultures and social contexts.
Linguistics is an interdisciplinary field, and has close links to fields such as history, sociology, philosophy, psychology and computer science. Many linguistics students choose to complement their studies with courses in other disciplines to gain an even more well-rounded and informed perspective on human language and communication.
Our MA programs offer specializations in TESOL and Applied Linguistics. In both, specialized courses build on a foundation of core courses in theoretical linguistics.
Minors
The minor in linguistics provides students with a broad introduction to the field. It is an excellent complement to majors in literature, philosophy, anthropology, history, political science, and many other disciplines.
The major in language, culture and society explores the relationship between language and cultural factors including multilingualism and language variation. It is designed for students who are committed to professional and intellectual pursuits that require an advanced level of language ability, such as teaching.
The new major in language and culture is available to students who wish to combine a solid foundation in current linguistic theory and research with an emphases in one of the following modern languages: Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese or Russian. These emphases are especially recommended for students who plan to pursue graduate study in linguistics or other fields requiring a high level of language proficiency, such as international business, law, psychology and speech and hearing sciences.
Graduate Programs
The graduate programs in linguistics at San Diego State University provide students with a deep understanding of language. They also gain a solid foundation in the structure of different languages and their universal properties. Students study the relationships between phonology, syntax, and semantics and learn about various linguistic phenomena such as bilingualism, sign language, and language loss.
The Applied Linguistics major is designed for students committed to vocational and intellectual pursuits in human language, including translation, interpretation, and cross-cultural engagement. It is a comprehensive program that incorporates a wide range of current linguistic theory and research.
The doctoral program in Language and Communicative Disorders provides an intensive education in typical and atypical communication disorders, language acquisition, and the neural bases of normal and abnormal communication processes. It is a highly interdisciplinary program that draws faculty from the departments of communicative disorders, psychology, cognitive science, linguistics, neurosciences, and engineering. The program is innovative in that it requires students to participate in interdisciplinary research throughout their degree, and in the process they learn about the nature of research, prepare grant proposals, write manuscripts, and gain experience in oral presentations and teaching.
Certificates
SDSU offers many professional certificate programs that are closely aligned to industry trends and demands, allowing you to acquire the specialized knowledge needed to move your career forward. These programs can be completed in a much shorter period of time than an academic degree and are open to matriculated and non-matriculated students.
The linguistics minor provides a substantial introduction to the study of language, with maximum student choice and guidance from an advisor. This program is well suited to majors in language, as well as those from related fields such as computer science, philosophy, psychology, sociology, history, literature or ethnic and women’s studies.
This advanced certificate program prepares TK-12 teachers and education professionals to develop assessment, curriculum and instruction to support the academic literacy of English learners. It is grounded in a linguistic perspective on bilingualism and draws on developments across a variety of academic areas.
