FAQs | Department of Linguistics

When can I take LIN 405?

LIN 405 is offered in the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. It is usually taken in a LIN major’s last semester. To take this course, you need a linguistics paper you have written previously.

Do I need permission to take LIN 405?

You only need permission during the going Fall and Spring academic semesters.

How do I sign up for LIN 405?

Permission to enroll in LIN 405 is issued by the Department, upon confirmation that a student will be ready to graduate in the term 405 is taken (or will do student teaching the next term). Students must apply to be considered for permission to enroll. A google form is distributed by email to all LIN majors during registration. Permissions are usually issued after grades come in for the term prior to the one when the student needs 405.

How do I sign up to be an Undergrad TA?

Every term, there are many opportunities and advertisements for Undergraduate TAs. You can contact the professors that are advertising, or you can reach out to any professor that you believe you’ll enjoy working with. You must meet with the professor and, if approved by them, fill out a google form to request permission to enroll. The form is distributed to majors and minors several times each term. It is also available here. The application and approval process takes a few weeks, after which you are given permission to add the class in SOLAR.

I heard students can do an internship to help with research projects and get credit. How does that work?

Research intern opportunitiesare available every term and advertisements are distributed to students describing the research being done. If you’d like to be involved, you can contact the professors conducting the research, or you can reach out to any professor you believe you’ll enjoy working with. You must meet with the professor and, if approved by them, fill in a google form to request permission to enroll. The form is distributed to majors and minors several times each term. It is also available here. This application process takes a few weeks, after which you are given permission to add the class in SOLAR.

Does Stony Brook have a bachelors in Speech Language Pathology?

Stony Brook does not have a bachelors in SLP or Communication Science Disorders, but several linguistics electives help students satisfy prerequisites they need to apply to Masters level SLP programs.

Degree works says I didn’t satisfy the language requirement for the major. What do I do?

Speak with the Linguistics major advisor. Often Degreeworks cannot evaluate the Linguistics Language requirement because there are so many ways to satisfy it. In addition to the Stony Brook requirement of proficiency equal to a year of language, you need TWO ADDITIONAL semesters of foreign language, or the equivalent, for the LIN major.

What courses will be offered in Winter session?

Winter session courses are determined early in Fall term. Students can check online <search: SBU Winter session year>. The undergraduate director can confirm which courses are usually offered.

What courses will be offered in Summer?

Summer session courses are determined early in Spring term. About mid-February, students can check online <search: SBU Summer session year>. The undergraduate director can confirm which courses are usually offered.

I think I want to do Speech Language Pathology. What do I do next?

Talk to the Undergraduate Director and join NSSLHA! NSSLHA is a organization/club full of people who want to become SLPs with amazing information on how to get on track!

What prerequisite courses do I have to take to apply to SLP programs?

Masters programs in SLP have different entry requirements. However, the most common ones are Phonetics, Audiology, Speech Science, Anatomy of Speech. There are universal requirements such as statistics, chemistry/physics, biology, psychology/behavioral science. To see if your class is sufficient as a prerequisite, check ASHA’s website and/or email institutions you are interested in attending.

What courses are required for the linguistics major?

There are six “core” necessary courses for a linguistics major. You must also complete six additional elective courses, of which 5 must be upper-division courses. Lastly, you need two semesters of foreign language after completing the Stony Brook language requirement. You can find further information in the Stony Brook Undergraduate Bulletin at https://www.stonybrook.edu/sb/bulletin/current/academicprograms/lin/degreesandrequirements.php.

What courses are required for the linguistics minor?

There are three required courses for the linguistics minor. Then, you must take three additional linguistics courses, of which 2 must be upper-division. You can find further information in the Stony Brook Undergraduate Bulletin at https://www.stonybrook.edu/sb/bulletin/current/academicprograms/lin/degreesandrequirements.php.

How do I change/add a major or minor?

You can change/add a major or minor on Stony Brook’s Solar system website under: Student Records and Registration > Enrollment > Undergraduate Major/Minor Form. Dates the form is available can be found here.

What’s the deadline to apply for the BATESOL program?

Applications for BATESOL can be submitted anytime after consultation with the Director of TESOL Teacher Preparation and Certification and the Undergraduate Program Director. Applications are normally processed after they are complete. If a student needs to demonstrate completion of required courses or achievement of the gpa threshold, the application will be held until the current terms grades are in. For more information, go here.

I am interested in a course, but I have not yet taken the prerequisite. Can I take the prerequisite at the same time as the course?

No, you are only allowed to take a course after you have completed the prerequisite.

Does Linguistics have an Honors program?

Yes Linguistics has an Honor’s program. Honor’s students do an independent project, with a faculty advisor, for two semesters, and present their results to a small committee of faculty. There is also a gpa requirement. For more information, go here. To apply for permission to take LIN 495, you fill the google form for independent courses at this link, but your description of activities must be more detailed. See your supervisor and Prof. Huffman for more information before beginning.

How can I become an intern?

You can speak to any professor to ask if they need interns. In addition, around registration time, Professor Huffman will send emails with a list of professors looking for interns. You contact the professor, and if they agree to work with you, you apply for permission to enroll, using this link which is also in the email with the ads. When you are given permission to enroll in SOLAR, you can add LIN 488 to your schedule.

How can I become an undergraduate TA (UGTA)?

You can speak to any professor to ask if they need UGTAs . In addition, around registration time, Professor Huffman will send emails with a list of professors looking for UGTAs. You contact the professor, and if they agree to work with you, you apply for permission to enroll, using this link which is also in the email with the ads. When you are given permission to enroll in SOLAR, you can add LIN 475 to your schedule. If you have TAed before, you must take 476 the second time and you must do more advanced work. See the bulletin for more info.

Frequently Asked Questions