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 classes
- Introduction to Linguistics
- Language and Society
- Language and Law
- Native American Languages
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 |
| 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 |
Top Graduate Fields Pursued
- Linguistics
- Education
- Law
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Philosophy
Graduate Degrees Pursued
- PhD
Where 2014-2018 Linguistics Graduates Study
- Harvard University
- Ohio State University
- Sacred Heart University
- Stanford University
- University of California-Berkeley
- University of California-San Diego
- University of San Diego
