Linguistics

As a linguistics major, you’ll explore the fascinating phenomenon of human language. Through your coursework you’ll learn how language is structured, acquired and used in social interactions. You’ll also learn how language changes over time or how it can be modeled computationally. Coursework for the major includes foundation and core courses, leaving you the flexibility to develop programs of study that focus on your areas of special interest. Linguistics combines well with language study and related fields such as philosophy, psychology, computer science and anthropology.

Sample Courses

Introduction to Linguistics
Language and Society
Language and Law
Native American Languages

Post-Graduate Outcomes

All information below is based on the 2014-2018 First-Destination Post-Graduate Survey. Lists are not exhaustive; rather, they are a sampling of the data.
"Other" includes time off, travel, volunteer experiences, and/or preparing for graduate school. If you would like more information, please email as_careers@cornell.edu

Approximately 4/5 of 2014-2018 Linguistics graduates reported being Employed or Attending Graduate School, with the majority being Employed.

66% of the Class of 2014-2018 Linguistics graduates completed the survey. n = 43

Below, you will find:

Top Employment Sectors
Where Graduates Work
Top Graduate Fields
Where Graduates Study

Top Employment Sectors

Technology
Education
Other Nonprofit Organization
Consulting/Prof. Practice
Communications/Media
Financial Services
Law
Manufacturing
Business - Other
Government

Where 2014-2018 Linguistics Graduates Work

Employer	Job Titles
A9.com	Software Development Engineer
Architecture Technology Corporation	Software Engineer
City Year	Corps Member
Delaware North	Front Desk Clerk
Ellen Theatre	Actor, Set Builder, Newspaper Carrier
Fullbright	Italy English Teaching Assistant English Teaching Assistant
Gartner	Research Specialist
Google	Software Engineer
IXL	Product Analyst
Japan Exchange & Teaching Programme	Assistant Language Teacher
Leverege	Junior Software Developer
MITRE Corporation	Cyber Security Software Engineer
New York Civil Liberties Union - ACLU	Legislative & Advocacy Assistant
Nuance Communications	Speech Scientist
Oxford University Press	Editorial Assistant
Progressive Education Lab	Fellow
Saint Louis Zoo	Animal Behavior Research Intern
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP	Legal Practice Assistant
Symphonica	Research Intern
Tarte Cosmetics	Retail Marketing Intern
TD Ameritrade	Rotational Analyst
University of Maryland	Baggett Research Fellow Faculty Research Assistant
Wolters Kluwer	Engagement & Project Analyst