Making Your Career the Study of Language with a Degree in Linguistics

Understanding the Meaning of Language

Understanding the Meaning of Language

By exploring patterns in and the development of human language, linguists are able to use language theory and analysis, along with sound systems to dissect different ways of speaking. When you earn a degree in the field of linguistics, you will develop a specific analytic skill set that you will be able to apply toward a career in anthropology, education, writing, speech recognition, law, and communications.

You can earn a linguistics degree at any level – certificate, associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate – which you pursue, depends on your personal educational and career goals. If you are interested in teaching English as a second language, a certificate or associate’s degree may be right for you.

Earning a bachelor’s degree in linguistics will typically take four years to complete; during this time, you will take courses in computational linguistics, statistics, English as a second language, phonetics, and general linguistics.

With a bachelor’s degree, you will be qualified for an entry-level position as a market analyst, a research assistant, a writer, and a management trainee. A degree in the field of linguistics allows you to develop language and analysis skills that are valued by the industries below:

  • Market Research
  • Teaching
  • Law
  • Consulting
  • Technical Writing
  • Speech Rehabilitation
  • Technology Development

Earning a master’s or doctoral degree in this field will allow you to become an expert in a specific area of linguistics. Most master’s degrees will take approximately two years to complete, while a PhD program will take four years and require a dissertation. To teach at the university level, a PhD is generally required.

Pursuing a linguistics degree online offers the opportunity to take classes that will integrate well with your current schedule without sacrificing your job or important family obligations.

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This post was written by:

Stacey Boothe Snelling - who has written 128 posts on Education Online - Online Degrees, Career Training, Continuing Education News & Articles by IEducationblogs.com.

Stacey Boothe Snelling holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Indiana University and a Master's Degree in Education from Butler University. She has taught school for 10 years and is currently going through the admissions and financial aid process with her near-college-age daughter.

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