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.

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 Linguistics4
LING 2350Linguistic Analysis4
LING 3412Language and Culture4
Linguistic Structure
Complete three of the following:12
LING 3420
Phonetics
LING 3422
Phonology
LING 3424
Morphology
LING 3450
Syntax
LING 3452
Semantics
Linguistics Electives
Complete two courses not used to fulfill other degree requirements from the following options:8
LING 3000 to LING 4999 1
DEAF 2700
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
COMM 1210
Persuasion and Rhetoric
COMM 1225
Communication Theory
COMM 1231
Principles of Organizational Communication
COMM 1255
Communication in a Digital Age
Cluster Course
Complete one course from the following:4
COMM 1131
Sex, Relationships, and Communication
COMM 2303
Global and Intercultural Communication
COMM 2304
Communication and Gender
COMM 2501
Communication Law
COMM 2551
Free Speech in Cyberspace
Writing-Intensive Course
Complete one course from the following:4
COMM 3200
Mobile Communication
COMM 3201
Health Communication
COMM 3230
Interpersonal Communication
COMM 3304
Communication and Inclusion
COMM 3320
Political Communication
COMM 3415
Communication Criticism
COMM 3500
Environmental Issues, Communication, and the Media
COMM 3501
Free Speech: Law and Practice
COMM 3530
Communication and Sexualities
COMM 3532
Theories of Conflict and Negotiation
COMM 4535
Nonverbal Social Interaction
COMM 4605
Youth and Communication Technology
COMM 4631
Crisis Communication and Image Management
Communication Studies Electives
Complete two courses that have not been used to satisfy other requirements.8

Integrative Requirement

Sociolinguistics
LING 3442Sociolinguistics4
Communication Studies Integrative Course
Complete one of the following, not used to fulfill above requirements:4
COMM 3415
Communication Criticism
Capstone Experience
Complete one of the following, not used to fulfill above requirements:4
COMM 4102
Health Communication Campaigns
COMM 4530
Communication and Quality of Life
COMM 4608
Strategic Communication Capstone
COMM 4625
Online Communities
LING 4654
Seminar in Linguistics

Supporting Courses

Introduction to College
INSC 1000Science at Northeastern1
or COMM 1000 Communication Studies at Northeastern
Experiential Learning Introduction
EESC 2000Professional Development for Co-op1
or EEAM 2000 Professional Development for Co-op
Writing Requirements
ENGW 1111First-Year Writing4
or ENGW 1102 First-Year Writing for Multilingual Writers
ENGW 3315Interdisciplinary Advanced Writing in the Disciplines4
or ENGW 3307 Advanced Writing in the Sciences
or ENGW 3314 Advanced Writing in the Arts, Media, and Design

NUPath Requirements

The following NUPath Requirements are met by the major:

  • Analyzing and Using Data (AD)
  • Conducting Formal and Quantitative Reasoning (FQ)
  • Demonstrating Thought and Action in a Capstone  (CE)
  • Employing Ethical Reasoning (ER)
  • Engaging Differences and Diversity (DD)
  • Engaging with the Natural and Designed World (ND)
  • Exploring Creative Expression and Innovation (EI)
  • Interpreting Culture (IC)
  • Understanding Societies and Institutions (SI)

Other NUPath requirements may be fulfilled by electives in the program.

Communication Studies Grade Requirement

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

Science GPA Requirement (Linguistics)

A minimum 2.000 GPA in the following course codes is required: LING

Linguistics and Communication Studies Combined Major Credit Requirement

Complete 76 semester hours in the major.

Program Requirement

128 total semester hours required

Sample Plans of Study

Four Years, Two Summer Second Half/Fall Co-ops

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
COMM 11014LING 23504COMM Studies Elective4Elective4
COMM 11124LING 34124Elective4Elective4
ENGW 11114COMM Studies Foundation Course4  
LING 10001EEAM 2000 (For CAMD students)1  
LING 11504Elective4  
 17 17 8 8
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
COMM 23014LING 3442 (Or Linguistics Elective)4COMM Studies Elective4Co-op0
EESC 2000 (For COS students)1COMM 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-op0ENGW 33154COMM Studies Writing Intensive4Co-op0
 LING 3442 (or Linguistics Elective)4Elective4 
 Foreign Language Course4  
 Linguistic Structure or Linguistics Elective4  
 0 16 8 0
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHours  
Co-op0COMM 34154  
 COMM Studies Writing Intensive4  
 Integrative Capstone Experience4  
 Linguistic Structure or Linguistics Elective4  
 0 16  
Total Hours: 131

Five Years, Three Summer Second Half/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-op0
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-op0ENGW 33154COMM Studies Elective4Co-op0
 LING 3442 (or Linguistics Elective)4Elective4 
 Foreign Language Course4  
 Linguistic Structure or Linguistics Elective4  
 0 16 8 0
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Co-op0LING 3442 (or Linguistics Elective)4Elective4Co-op0
 COMM Studies Writing Intensive4Elective4 
 Linguistic Structure or Linguistics Elective4  
 Elective4  
 0 16 8 0
Year 5
FallHoursSpringHours  
Co-op0COMM 34154  
 COMM Studies Elective4  
 Integrative Capstone Experience4  
 Elective4  
 0 16  
Total Hours: 130