BA Linguistic Studies at Syracuse University

Programme overview

In-person major on the scientific study of the nature and use of language: how languages differ, how language functions in society, how grammars and sound systems develop, how children acquire language and how languages coexist in the mind. Opportunities include faculty-mentored research and study abroad in Italy, Spain, Chile or France.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Study mode: full-time | Location: Syracuse, NY, United States

What you will study

Required coursework in linguistic, phonological and syntactic analysis, plus at least three areas such as psychology and biology of language, language and culture, logic and language, history and structure of language, or language pedagogy. Sample courses: Linguistic Analysis, Forensic Linguistics, Meaning and Communication.

Career pathways

Career paths: Communications and Writing, Humanities and Languages.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

College of Arts and Sciences (no additional requirements beyond the general first-year requirements): First-year applicants (all colleges): accredited high school completion; Common Application or Coalition Application, official high school transcript, senior year grade report, high school counselor evaluation and one academic recommendation. SAT/ACT scores are not required for Fall 2026 through Spring 2028 admission. Recommended (not required) preparation: four years each of English, science, social studies and mathematics, and three years of a foreign language.

Requirements published at faculty level.

USD 69,180 a year (2026-27). 2026-27 Main Campus undergraduate full-time tuition ($34,590 per semester for 12-19 credits, shown as $69,180 for the academic year on the cost page); one undergraduate rate band, the same on the international costs page. Excludes housing, meals, miscella Source

Students may apply for the fall or spring semester. First-year fall applicants may apply through Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Early Action or Regular Decision. Transfer applicants may apply for fall or spring.

First-year deadlines: Early Action November 1; Early Decision I November 1; Early Decision II January 5; Regular Decision January 5. Fall transfer applications are due July 1; spring applications (first-year and transfer) are due November 15. Some programmes have earlier deadlines (for example Drama acting and musical theater application and prescreen December 1; architecture portfolio January 5).

First-year students apply through the Common Application or the Coalition Application powered by Scoir. SAT/ACT scores are not required for Fall 2026, Spring 2027, Fall 2027 or Spring 2028 admission, and students who do not submit scores remain eligible for merit scholarships. An application fee waiver can be requested in writing by the school counselor to [email protected].

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