Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I am not an NYU student. I would like to come to New York to study linguistics. Can I take linguistics classes at NYU? How do I enter your linguistics program?

A: To take courses at NYU, you have to be enrolled as a student. You may transfer from another college, enroll as a non-degree student, or apply as a traditional degree student. To learn more about enrollment options, contact the NYU Admissions Office. To enter as a linguistics major, apply to the College of Arts and Sciences and indicate your interest in the Department of Linguistics. The Department of Linguistics does not handle admissions and cannot answer questions about financial aid or your chances of being admitted to NYU.

Q: How do I declare a major or minor in Linguistics?

A: Fill out the declaration of major/minor/double major form. You can also pick up the form from the Linguistics Administrative Secretary Teresa Leung (726 Broadway, 7th floor, room 731) or from the plastic pockets on the wall next to room 770. You'll need to get a signature from the DUGS.

Q: I am/would like to become a Language and Mind major. Who is my advisor?

A: The academic advisor for the Language and Mind major is currently Adamantios Gafos. You choose your courses in consultation with the academic advisor. If you are interested in majoring in Language and Mind, consult with the Language and Mind academic advisor and fill out the declaration of major form, which requires the DUGS' signature.

Q: I've decided to major in linguistics. What courses should I take?

A: The Linguistics major requires 8 courses. Remember that you have to take these courses in the correct sequence, since more advanced courses have prerequisites. The DUGS will help you make a plan of study.

Q: How do I find out if I've fulfilled all of the requirements for the Linguistics major?

A: Check your Degree Progress on Albert and then compare it to the linguistics major checklist. If you are still not sure, the DUGS would be happy to help you.

Q: I am a joint major in German/French/Italain/Spanish & Linguistics. Who is my DUGS, and who clears me for registration?

A: As a joint major, you have two Directors of Undergraduate Studies. You choose your five linguistics courses in consultation with the Linguistics DUGS, and discuss your required foreign language courses with the DUGS in the appropriate department. Either DUGS can clear you for registration.

Q: What courses are required for joint German/French/Italian/Spanish & Linguistics majors?

A: There are 5 required linguistics courses which are listed on the linguistics joint major checklist.

Q: I've already taken some similar classes in another department/university. Can they count towards my major/minor?

A: Maybe, depending on the content of the course. Ask the DUGS.

Q: I would like to participate in the Study Abroad program and am required to be cleared by the DUGS. What courses can count towards my major?

A: In order to be allowed to study abroad, you need to be on track to graduate. NYU Linguistics does not offer courses abroad. When you plan your semester abroad, keep in mind that it can interfere with your progress towards a linguistics degree, since some of our required courses are only offered once a year. Occasionally, courses taken abroad may be substituted for Linguistics electives. To determine whether a course is eligible, the DUGS will need to see all the course materials (homework, syllabus, readings) after you've taken the course.

Q: How do linguistics majors get cleared for registration?

A: If your major is ANLI or LAMD, talk to your advisors. If your major is LING, FRLN, GELN, ITLN, or SPLN, the steps are as follows. First, check your Degree Progress Report on Albert to see which classes you still need. Second, check the Degree Progress Report against the checklist for your major. Third, e-mail your proposed schedule to linguistics.dugs@nyu.edu. If you can, please paste the linguistics part of your Degree Progress Report into the message--it would speed things up. You do not need to make an appointment to get cleared for registration, but if you would like to meet with the DUGS in person, come to office hours or email linguistics.dugs@nyu.edu to schedule a meeting time.

Q: Phonological Analysis is a requirement for my major, but its prerequisite Sound and Language is not. Do I still need to take Sound and Language?

A: Yes, you do need to take the prerequisite, and you should take these courses in the correct sequence. This applies to all the courses in the department that have prerequisites. All of our courses and their prerequisites are listed on the schedule page; if you have any questions about prerequisites, do not hesitate to ask the instructors.

Q: I've heard that there is a mailing list for linguistics students. How do I get on it?

A: The mailing list is called ling-undergrad. You need an NYU e-mail address to be on the list. To subscribe, log into NYUHome and click on "Browse and Subscribe to an NYU List" in the Lists Channel.

Q: Are there any internships in linguistics?

A: We do not offer regular internships for credit, but there are occasional commercial and academic internships that do not bear credit. All internships are announced through the NYU linguistics mailing list, ling-undergrad.

Q: What is the honors program in linguistics? How do I get in?

A: Information about the honors program is available on this page. If you are thinking about applying, first talk to the faculty member whom you want to supervise your thesis and then apply to the DUGS in the Spring semester of your Junior year.

Q: What do I need to do to take an independent study in linguistics?

A: First of all, identify a professor who will guide your independent study. Note that you cannot take an independent study instead of a required course. Once you have found a linguistics faculty member and put together a plan of study, get a permission from the DUGS and e-mail linguistics@nyu.edu to get a registration code.

Q: What sort of jobs can I get with a degree in linguistics?

A: A linguistics degree prepares you for a variety of creative and stimulating jobs in the academia, various industries, and the government. Be sure to check out the Linguistic Society of America page, which describes linguistics jobs. The central hub for real linguistics job advertisements is the Linguist List. Feel free to talk to any of the linguists in the department about jobs in linguistics.

Last Modified: April 1, 2008