Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Focuses on one or more of the Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic languages of the ancient and modern Middle/Near East, Western Asia, North Africa, and Europe. Covers philology; linguistics; dialects and pidgins; literature; and applications to business, science/technology, and other settings.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 5 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Focuses on one or more of the Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic languages of the ancient and modern Middle/Near East, Western Asia, North Africa, and Europe. Covers philology; linguistics; dialects and pidgins; literature; and applications to business, science/technology, and other settings.
- Arabic Language and Literature
- Focuses on the Arabic language. Covers philology; Classical Arabic; Modern Standard Arabic; dialects; and applications to business, science/technology, and other settings.
- Hebrew Language and Literature
- Focuses on the Hebrew language. Covers philology; Biblical Hebrew (including Pre- and Post-Exilic scripts); Modern Hebrew; dialects; and applications to business, science/technology, and other settings.
- Ancient Near Eastern and Biblical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Focuses on one or more of the extinct Semitic and/or Non-Semitic languages spoken in the ancient Near East, including those used to write historical Jewish and Christian religious texts. These languages include, but are not limited to, Egyptian/Coptic, Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Aramaic, Cannanite, Phonecian, Samarian, Ugaritic, Syriac, Mandean, Hattic, Elamite, Hurrian, Hittite, Urartian, Lydian, Luwian, Lycian, Palaic, Sabaean/South Arabian, and other associated languages. Covers philology, epigraphy, papyrology, numismatics, and textual studies.
- Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic languages, literatures, and linguistics not listed above.
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Median pay
- $72,040
- Hiring change through 2035
- −0.2%
- Job openings a year
- 63,500
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyInterpreters and Translators
- Median pay
- $60,170
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.0%
- Job openings a year
- 6,000
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing slowlyForeign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $79,350
- Hiring change through 2035
- 0.2%
- Job openings a year
- 1,600
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
Most careers connected to this field involve in-person work. About 89 of every 100 openings require working close to other people or spending time on your feet.
College options
Where to study it
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