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Linguistics
Linguistics
“Language is the most massive and inclusive art we know, a mountainous and anonymous work of unconscious generations.”
—Edward Sapir, linguist and anthropologist
Students and Faculty in the Department of Linguistics engage with language acquisition, use, and change at the intersection of human cognition, culture, and computation. We offer course work and research experiences that combine language with culture and society; action and cognition; and computation and learning.
Why I am a Linguist
“I am a linguist because I am fascinated by the world’s linguistic diversity. Over 7,000 languages! Similarly, I am inspired by the diversity of reasons why students may choose to study linguistics—or any other major. So, I strive to understand what motivates students, and do my best to align with students’ individual interests and goals to make their experience at UO truly meaningful.”
—Gabriela Pérez Báez, associate professor of Linguistics
What you can do with a degree in Linguistics
Linguistics cultivates skills in analytics, data analysis, reasoning and argumentation, and written and oral communication. A degree in linguistics prepares students for professions that value these key intellectual abilities. Those who study linguistics frequently go on to pursue careers in:
World language teaching
English language teaching
Software development and testing
Speech analysis and synthesis
Health sciences, e.g., speech-language pathology
Law and civil service, e.g., State Department
Careers for Undergraduates
Careers for Graduate Students
Our Degree Programs
We offer a major or minor in Linguistics that combines coursework in the discipline with language courses from at least two languages other than your first language. We also offer a minor in Interdisciplinary Cognitive Sciences and provide special emphasis courses for the Data Science major. As an interdisciplinary field, Linguistics combines well with majors or minors from a variety of other disciplines from Romance Languages to Data Science, Psychology to Computer Science, and Sociology to Communication Disorders and Sciences, to name but a few.
Students can also earn a certificate in
Second Language Acquisition and Teaching (SLAT)
as a starting point for careers in language teaching.
Undergraduate Degrees
Major in Linguistics
Minor in Linguistics
Minor in Interdisciplinary Cognitive Sciences
Graduate Degrees
Master of Arts in Language Teaching Studies
PhD in General Linguistics
Learn from Experts in the Field
Faculty-led research takes place in far-flung places, in communities and classrooms, or in laboratories. We work on documenting lesser-known languages, the revitalization of minoritized Indigenous languages, on child and adult language acquisition, and on language use and language perceptions. We pride ourselves on getting to know our students in the classroom and through research experience. Overall, the Linguistics faculty enjoy the opportunity to create meaningful connections with their students and value student contributions to research.
Research
Faculty Directory
Get Real-world Experience
Linguistics students can take part in practical learning through many opportunities:
Work on language revitalization in indigenous communities
Teach a second language and earning a certificate or master’s degree in language teaching
Assist faculty in research spanning the globe, from the Amazon to the Serengeti to Papua New Guinea
Conduct local research in campus language labs
Experiential Learning
Scholarships and Funding
The Linguistics Department offers funding for student research and conference attendance.
Students in the PhD track will typically be offered graduate employee positions.
Undergraduate students may also find some opportunities for paid research assistantships.
CAS and UO Scholarships
Graduate Funding
Academic Support
Our Director of Undergraduate Studies provides Linguistics majors and minors with consistent advising to guide you through our degree program.
The Director of Language Teaching Studies provides advising for students pursuing a certificate in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching (SLAT).
The Linguistics Study Hall provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to interact with and learn from graduate students in Linguistics. Graduate students also provide tutoring support during Study Hall.
Undergraduate Advising
Support for Graduate Students
Give to the Department of Linguistics
Learn More About Giving to CAS
Linguistics News and Events
Celebrating CAS graduate students
April 6, 2026
EALL, LINGUISTICS - For Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week in 2026, CAS gradate students share their experiences of what makes their experience special at CAS. CAS is home to 1,295 graduate students: 307 master’s and 959 PhD. With April 6-10 Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week, CAS reached out to some of its graduate students to hear how about their experiences at the college.
High-achieving linguists earn accolades
February 26, 2026
LINGUISTICS, EALL — Three faculty members from the College of Arts and Sciences were inducted as Fellows into the premiere linguistics organization and a doctoral student receive an exclusive award for her research paper.
More than 350 linguists attended global institute at University of Oregon
September 23, 2025
LINGUISTICS - The Department of Linguistics in the College of Arts and Sciences hosted the Linguistic Society of America’s Summer Institute, a five-week summer school held every other year at a new host location. Scholars from around the world came to learn, connect and enjoy the unique qualities of the University of Oregon.
All news
What is Research? (2026)
Apr
24
What is Research? (2026)
Apr 24
UO Portland
College of Arts and Sciences Liberal Arts Summit
Apr
24
College of Arts and Sciences Liberal Arts Summit
Apr 24
Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
"Beyond Extraction" Symposium and Film Screenings (Day 2)
Apr
24
"Beyond Extraction" Symposium and Film Screenings (Day 2)
Apr 24
Knight Library
ArcGIS Pro and the Makerspace: Laser-Cut Map Notebook
Apr
24
ArcGIS Pro and the Makerspace: Laser-Cut Map Notebook
Apr 24
Knight Library
"Radium Girls"
Apr
24
"Radium Girls"
Apr 24
Miller Theatre Complex
What is Research? (2026)
Apr
25
What is Research? (2026)
Apr 25
UO Portland
"Radium Girls"
Apr
25
"Radium Girls"
Apr 25
Miller Theatre Complex
"Radium Girls"
Apr
26
"Radium Girls"
Apr 26
Miller Theatre Complex
Jeremiah Public Symposium: Foodways in Early East Asia
Apr
28
Jeremiah Public Symposium: Foodways in Early East Asia
Apr 28
Museum of Natural and Cultural History
Dept. of History Seminar Series: “If the child dies, it will cost my life too, that cannot be avoided.” Suicide by Proxy, Social Discipline and the Psyche in Early Modern Germany
Apr
28
Dept. of History Seminar Series: “If the child dies, it will cost my life too, that cannot be avoided.” Suicide by Proxy, Social Discipline and the Psyche in Early Modern Germany
Apr 28
McKenzie Hall
All events