In the combined major in linguistics and communication studies, students learn about the formal structures and analysis of human languages across multiple levels (sounds, words, phrases and sentences, meaning) while simultaneously mastering the fundamentals of effective communication and of communication theory and practice. Students receive extensive training in writing and speaking, both for a technical audience and more generally; and they explore the role of language and communication in society, both from a broad theoretical perspective and in narrower, more focused and applied domains.


  • Concentrations and course offerings may vary by campus and/or by program modality.  Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for the course availability each term at your campus or within your program modality. 
  • Certain options within the program may be required at certain campuses or for certain program modalities.  Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for requirements at your campus or for your program modality. 

Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified and complete any additional courses needed beyond specific college and major requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.

Universitywide Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the Universitywide Requirements.

BA Language Requirements

All BA students are required to complete the BA degree language requirements, for a total of 12 semester hours of language study or demonstrated equivalent proficiency, as described in Additional Requirements for BA students. Successful demonstration of proficiency does not reduce total minimum semester hours of study required to earn the BA degree.

NUpath Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.

Linguistics Requirements

Linguistics Foundations
LING 1150Introduction to Language and Linguistics4
LING 2350Linguistic Analysis4
LING 3412Language and Culture4
Linguistic Structure
Complete three of the following:12
Phonetics
Phonology
Morphology
Syntax
Semantics
Linguistics Electives
Complete two courses not used to fulfill other degree requirements from the following options.8
LING 3000 to LING 4999 1
ASL Linguistics
1

Please visit the Linguistics Courses page within this catalog to review the list of courses in the LING 3000 - LING 4999 range.

Communication Studies Requirements

Communication Studies Required Courses
COMM 1101Introduction to Communication Studies4
COMM 1112Public Speaking4
COMM 2301Communication Research Methods4
Foundation Course
Complete one course from the following:4
Persuasion and Rhetoric
Communication Theory
Principles of Organizational Communication
Communication in a Digital Age
Cluster Course
Complete one course from the following:4
Sex, Relationships, and Communication
Global and Intercultural Communication
Communication and Gender
Communication Law
Free Speech in Cyberspace
Writing-Intensive Course
Complete one course from the following:4
Mobile Communication
Health Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Communication and Inclusion
Political Communication
Communication Criticism
Public Relations Principles
Environmental Issues, Communication, and the Media
Free Speech: Law and Practice
Communication and Sexualities
Theories of Conflict and Negotiation
Nonverbal Social Interaction
Youth and Communication Technology
Crisis Communication and Image Management
Communication Studies Electives
Complete two additional COMM courses8

Integrative Requirement

Sociolinguistics
LING 3442Sociolinguistics4
Communication Studies Integrative Course
Complete one of the following, not used to fulfill above requirements:4
Communication Criticism
Contemporary Rhetorical Theory
Capstone Experience
Complete one of the following, not used to fulfill above requirements:4
Health Communication Campaigns
Communication and Quality of Life
Contemporary Rhetorical Theory
Strategic Communication Capstone
Online Communities
Seminar in Linguistics

Communication Studies Grade Requirement

No more than two grades below a C in communication studies courses may be used to fulfill degree requirements.

Linguistics and Communication Studies Combined Major Credit Requirement

Complete 76 semester hours in the major.

Program Requirement

128 total semester hours required

Sample Patterns:

Four Years, Two Summer 2/Fall Co-ops

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
COMM 11014LING 23504COMM Studies Elective4Elective4
COMM 11124LING 34124Elective4Elective4
ENGW 11114COMM Studies Foundation Course4  
LING 10001Elective4  
LING 11504   
 17 16 8 8
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
COMM 23014LING 3442 (Or Linguistics Elective)4COMM Studies Elective4Co-op
EEAM 2000 or EESC 20001COMM Studies Elective4Elective4 
COMM Studies Cluster Course4Foreign Language Course4  
Foreign Language Course4Linguistic Structure or Linguistics Elective4  
Linguistic Structure or Linguistics Elective4   
 17 16 8 0
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Co-opENGW 33154COMM Studies Writing Intensive4Co-op
 LING 3442 (or Linguistics Elective)4Elective4 
 Foreign Language Course4  
 Linguistic Structure or Linguistics Elective4  
 0 16 8 0
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHours  
Co-opCOMM 3415 or 46024  
 COMM Studies Writing Intensive4  
 Integrative Capstone Experience4  
 Linguistic Structure or Linguistics Elective4  
 0 16  
Total Hours: 130

Five Years, Three Summer 2/Fall Co-ops

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
COMM 11014LING 23504VacationVacation
COMM 11124LING 34124  
ENGW 11114COMM Studies Foundation Course4  
LING 10001Elective4  
LING 11504   
 17 16 0 0
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
COMM 23014EEAM 2000 or EESC 20001VacationCo-op
COMM Studies Cluster Course4COMM Studies Elective4  
Foreign Language Course4COMM Studies Elective4  
Linguistic Structure or Linguistics Elective4Foreign Language Course4  
 Linguistic Structure or Linguistics Elective4  
 16 17 0 0
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Co-opENGW 33154COMM Studies Elective4Co-op
 LING 3442 (or Linguistics Elective)4Elective4 
 Foreign Language Course4  
 Linguistic Structure or Linguistics Elective4  
 0 16 8 0
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Co-opLING 3442 (or Linguistics Elective)4Elective4Co-op
 COMM Studies Writing Intensive4Elective4 
 Linguistic Structure or Linguistics Elective4  
 Elective4  
 0 16 8 0
Year 5
FallHoursSpringHours  
Co-opCOMM 3415 or 46024  
 COMM Studies Elective4  
 Integrative Capstone Experience4  
 Elective4  
 0 16  
Total Hours: 130