Linguistics Success Map
Explore the Academic Calendar to view course offerings while completing the Basic Arts Requirements.
Aim to achieve a B or higher in LING 1200.
Consider studying an additional language and/or taking Psychology or Computer Science courses to complement your Linguistics studies. See Modern Languages and Classics, Psychology, Mathematics, and Computer Science Departments for SMU course offerings.
Explore your options for majors and minors by attending the Programs Day across faculties in February.
Register for classes as soon as registration opens. Classes fill early!
Visit your Academic Advisor or to be sure you have the right courses.
Gather information on Co-operative Education opportunities.
Begin to develop your analytical, research, and critical abilities.
Learn the International Phonetic Alphabet to accurately transcribe and describe speech sounds of any language.
Understand natural language semantics, syntax, and phonology, while considering relationships between language, culture, and identity.
Become aware of dialect and functional varieties.
Improve your writing and thinking skills at the Writing Centre. Get expert feedback and incorporate it into your work.
Develop research skills by navigating online databases and the stacks at the Patrick Power Library. Take a .
Build a résumé at a Résumé Seminar, to prepare for internships, scholarships, and summer jobs.
Start your Co-Curricular Record. Document your acquired skills from on- and off-campus activities and volunteer work.
Attend Welcome Week. Make friends. Meet classmates, faculty, and advisors at academic orientation. Attend a session about a culture of safety and respect at Saint Mary's.
Introduce yourself to your professors after class or during office hours.
Attend a Linguistics in Progress Seminar (LIPS).
Visit the Societies Fair. Consider joining the Linguistics Student Society.
Try , a program where international students practice speaking English.
Stay Active. Explore SMUfit, campus sports, exercise, and recreation opportunities.
Apply for a scholarship. There are more than 260 available!
Need help with time management, organizational, or presentation skills? Book an Academic & Life Skills Coaching session.
Learn to budget your money. Attend a Financial Literacy workshop or get advice from Financial Aid and Awards.
Check-in with Career Services to start discussing your career goals, related to your program. Experiment with different classes to see what you like.
When facing a personal crisis, get help from the Counselling Centre.
Consider courses with global themes for your electives.
Need a job? Create a HireSMU account to find available jobs.
Not from Halifax? all our cultural opportunities and have fun.
Keep current with local events. Read Pride in Your Shared Neighbourhood newsletter.
Travel while studying. Investigate travel options beyond Canada (2nd or 3rd year) at International Activities.
Obtain or update your passport in preparation for possible international travel.
Not from Canada? Browse Services for International Students for available support.
Attend International Night—an annual banquet showcasing SMU’s many cultures.
Complete at least three of the required courses: LING 2309, LING 2310, LING 2330, and LING 2340.
A major requires at least 39 credit hours and an Honours requires 60 credit hours. Consider taking Linguistics electives offered through cross-listed courses in the Academic Calendar.
Thinking of changing majors or minors? Attend Programs Day for help.
Visit your Academic Advisor or to be sure you have the right courses and to declare your major in this year.
Refine your knowledge of the International Phonetic Alphabet and various aspects of natural language processing.
Gain new skills in learning additional languages, Computer Science, and/or Psychology. There are opportunities for people with linguistics, computer languages, and languages at companies like Google.
Refine your textual interpretive and reasoning abilities by taking courses in Literature, Culture, and Philosophy.
Upgrade your writing with at the Writing Centre or through online resources.
Learn advanced researching techniques at the Library.
Update your Co-Curricular Record to keep track of your accomplishments and set new goals.
Apply your classroom learning and improve soft skills by joining some student societies.
Participate in intramurals. Demonstrate your team skills and character to future employers and admissions officers.
Browse the Scholarship List and modify your cover letter to match the criteria. Apply between February and May.
Need more academic support? Contact Personal Counselling or Academic & Life Skills Coaching.
Seek Career Counselling. Explore the core competencies of your major, and career possibilities related to your strengths, interests, and values.
Discover ways to give back to your community, from local to global. Come to the Volunteer Fair held every September, or speak to a Career and Employment Coach at Career Services.
Get involved with activities outside of your major and minor. Employers like well-rounded candidates.
Check out the Anthropology, Psychology, and Modern Languages student societies. If you plan to study speech pathology or audiology, look for volunteer opportunities working with children or adults at hospitals, nursing homes, schools, or universities.
Attend a LinkedIn photo shoot and a LinkedIn Seminar with Career Services. Put your best (and most professional) face forward!
Keep your HireSMU Account updated with accurate contact information and most recent résumés.
Consider applying for the Co-op Program at the beginning of 2nd year (30+ credits). Gain work experience over three terms.
Visit the International Activities office for a study-abroad program or an international field study course in 3rd year.
Explore options for international internships in your area of study.
Complete the required courses in Linguistics as you focus on your chosen program by choosing at least nine (9) credit hours from LING 3310, LING 3320, LING 3330, and LING 3350.
Take Linguistics electives to meet additional program requirements. For an Honours degree, keep in mind that you need six (6) credit hours in a second language at or above the 2000 level.
Visit your Academic Advisor to be sure you’re on the right track to meet graduation requirements.
Meet your Faculty Mentor/ for help with course selection, career advice, certifications, or selecting a thesis supervisor for the Honours Program.
Thinking about graduate school? Contact Career Services for options and admission procedures, and begin planning for applications with your Faculty Mentor/Department Chair.
Refine your analytical abilities in core areas of Linguistics.
Expand your knowledge of the links between language(s) and culture(s).
Learn about forensic linguistics, clinical linguistics, or the relationships between language and cognition.
Study the ways people use language to do things and create their worlds.
It is not too late to gain skills in Statistics. Psychology offers relevant courses.
Improve your research skills and grades by visiting the Library and using the Research-by-Appointment service for one-on-one help.
The Writing Centre offers workshops on .
Update your Co-Curricular Record.
Get to know your professors. They are excellent contacts for reference letters. Chat about your future plans for 4th year and beyond.
Attend the Research Expo. Learn from the research and critical analysis of peers and professors. Also, showcase your own research project.
Apply for research positions with faculty, or as a faculty assistant or tutor.
Join campus societies in your field. These provide opportunities to network with the industry and professionals.
Run for a leadership position in a campus group.
Apply for over 200 returning awards.
Focus on summer or internship jobs within your major or career field of interest to gain specific experience and build credentials.
Visit the Career Development Centre for help with tactical job searches, including using social media, information interview, fine-tuning your résumé and cover letter, and practicing interview skills.
Attend the in September and March. Discover career opportunities and employer expectations.
Let your networks know your major. Seek out potential employers for information and interviews.
Volunteer at the Language Centre. Join the Atlantic Provinces Linguistics Society and attend the annual meeting.
Consider getting TESL certification and going abroad to teach English for a term or year.
Explore new designed to help international graduates gain experience in Nova Scotia.
Complete the required courses, while transitioning to work or graduate school.
For Linguistics Majors, take twelve (12) additional credit hours in Linguistics to graduate.
Honours students must take at least six (6) credit hours in Linguistics at the 4000 level, including at least one of the 4000 seminars in Linguistic theory or applied Linguistics. You also need twenty-seven (27) additional credit hours in Linguistics. Don’t forget the six (6) credit hours in a second or foreign language.
Is it too late to do an Honours degree? Speak to the about your idea.
Complete a CAPP Degree Evaluation in Banner.
Visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Discuss SMU graduate opportunities.
Contact your Academic Advisor and Faculty Mentor/ to ensure you are on track for graduation requirements and post-graduation plan.
Apply to graduate. Fill out an application for graduation form and submit it to the Service Centre. Get your picture taken for the yearbook.
Consider graduate schools or professional programs. Start early, and use your professors and the Writing Centre to review your personal statement, cover letter, and applications.
Request transcripts, if required.
Become sophisticated in Linguistic analysis of all kinds.
Interpret complex Linguistic data and how to use evidences in theoretical argument.
Develop in-depth knowledge of one or more applied fields such as language acquisition, bilingualism, or psycholinguistics.
Use your Linguistic skills in discourse analysis by investigating local and global patterns in talk and texts.
Before you graduate, do a final update of your Co-Curricular Record, and request an official copy.
Visit Career Services to prepare to clearly and persuasively articulate all you have learned at Saint Mary’s (in and out of class) to an employer.
Serve as Department Student Rep. Speak to your .
Enter your best research paper for the Academic Writing Awards.
Get recognized for your involvement in the classroom and in the Saint Mary’s community. Apply for the Student Leadership Award.
Apply for other awards, including the SMUFU scholarship.
Brush up on your Financial Literacy. Receive guidance for a successful and healthy financial future, including student-loan repayment.
Your degree can open the door to many types of careers. Use the Career Counselling to discover where you want to go and how best to get there.
Plan to attend Career Services’ 4-week Job Search Seminar Series before or after graduation.
Join a Linguistics association such as the Canadian Linguistics Association.
Be prepared to apply, interview, and network when school begins, to maximize your chance of receiving some job offers by May.
In addition to the , attend some career fairs specific to your program. Bring your résumé. Prepare in advance to speak with recruiters and potential employers.
Apply for the program. Meet with a Halifax professional in a field of interest.
If you are a co-op student, arrange for your final work term placement early.
Are you an international student interested in staying in Canada and receiving permanent resident status? Contact the International Centre.
Get in contact with the SMU Young Alumni Association to begin your next phase as a Santamarian.
Remember, you have access to Career Services for three years post-graduation. Use these services to help you continue to get the most out of your degree.
