Choosing the right linguistics program can be overwhelming, but considering career goals can simplify the process. Look for programs with faculty expertise in your area of interest, multidisciplinary study opportunities, international study options, and financial aid.
Individuals interested in linguistics, or the study of language, may wish to enroll in a linguistics program. However, with the vast number of undergraduate and graduate linguistics programs offered at universities around the world, choosing the best one can be an overwhelming process. To simplify the process, it’s often helpful to start by considering your ultimate career goals. Then, the student can focus on the programs that would best facilitate those goals. Program attributes that can provide students with superior preparation for a language career include faculty or department in their area of interest, multidisciplinary study opportunities, opportunities to study in a foreign country, and provision of financial aid.
One of the most important factors to consider when selecting a linguistics program is whether one or more faculty members at a potential university offer expertise in the candidate’s field of interest. If the applicant is primarily interested in Slavic language development, for example, she should only consider programs that will offer the opportunity to study this area. On the other hand, if the candidate wants to be exposed to many different areas of linguistics, she might consider programs that cover a wide range of subtopics.
Some people want a career that requires skills in addition to those gained from studying linguistics. For example, an individual who writes speech recognition software must have knowledge of linguistics and software design. Those interested in a career that combines language skills with knowledge in some other field should look for a language program that encourages multidisciplinary study. In other words, an aspiring speech recognition software designer should select a program that allows for the dual study of linguistics and software design, whereas an individual who wants to become a dialect coach may wish to supplement their linguistics courses with studies of theater.
For some, the best linguistics program may be one that offers opportunities to study in a foreign country. If a person wants to study sound formation in the Sandawe language of Tanzania, for example, he may find that spending time among native speakers of the language offers him the most complete learning experience. Therefore, she may want to consider language programs that encourage international study and have established links with universities or educational organizations abroad.
Finally, for many prospective students, the availability of financial aid is an important consideration when selecting a linguistics program. Applicants may consider contacting a student advisor or faculty member in a prospective university’s linguistics department to determine if department-specific scholarships, fellowships, or grants exist. If the applicant is studying in graduate school, she may also investigate undergraduate teaching opportunities.
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