Best colleges for African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
A program that focuses on one or more of the languages native to the African continent, including, but not limited to, Bantu languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Niger-Congo languages, Khoisan languages, and the Chadic and Ethiopic languages of the Hamito-Semitic language family.
1 U.S. institutions graduated 2 African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 16.0201, a specialization of African Languages (CIP 16.02), and leads most directly to the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC 27-3091).
About African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs
A program that focuses on one or more of the languages native to the African continent, including, but not limited to, Bantu languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Niger-Congo languages, Khoisan languages, and the Chadic and Ethiopic languages of the Hamito-Semitic language family. Includes instruction in philology, dialects, and oral and written literatures.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The African Languages program, officially titled African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, focuses on the study of languages native to the African continent. This program encompasses various language families, including Bantu, Nilo-Saharan, Niger-Congo, Khoisan, Chadic, and Ethiopic languages, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of African linguistic diversity and cultural expression. Designed for those interested in foreign languages, literature, and linguistics, this program is ideal for students who wish to delve into the intricacies of African languages, including their philology, dialects, and oral and written literatures. Graduates often pursue advanced studies or careers in translation, education, and cultural exchange.
Students in the African Languages program develop essential skills such as speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and writing. Coursework often includes in-depth study of language structures, cultural contexts, and literary traditions, equipping students with the knowledge needed to engage with diverse communities and contribute to cross-cultural communication.
Credentials awarded
What African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship2 graduates / yr · 1 institution100%
Graduates over time
African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 15 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 2 |
Top 1 institutions for African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WIPublicDoctoral | 2 | 90% | — |
Offered in 1 states
Where African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates come from. Each state links to all African Languages programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 1 | 2 | University of Wisconsin-Madison2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the African Languages program can pursue careers as interpreters and translators, with additional opportunities in education as foreign language and literature teachers. The job outlook for interpreters and translators shows little or no change, with an annual opening of approximately 6,900 positions and a median wage of $59,440, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 16.0201
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Interpreters and Translatorsprimary SOC 27-3091 | $60,170 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~6,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1124 | $79,350 | -0.2% Little or no change | ~1,900 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
- Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
- Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
- Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
- Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
- Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What languages will I study?+
You will study various languages native to Africa, including Bantu, Nilo-Saharan, Niger-Congo, Khoisan, Chadic, and Ethiopic languages.
What skills will I gain from this program?+
You will gain skills in speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as an interpreter, translator, or foreign language teacher, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook for interpreters and translators is stable, with an annual opening of about 6,900 positions.
What is the CIP code for African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics?+
African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics is CIP 16.0201 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within African Languages (CIP 16.02). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on one or more of the languages native to the African continent, including, but not limited to, Bantu languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Niger-Congo languages, Khoisan languages, and the Chadic and Ethiopic languages of the Hamito-Semitic language family. Includes instruction in philology, dialects, and oral and written literatures.
How many institutions offer African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs?+
1 U.S. institutions reported African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 1 states, awarding 2 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all African Languages graduates.
How much do African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Interpreters and Translators occupation, which African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,170 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all African Languages graduates, so its figures match the African Languages program page.
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