AmyE

Me three! I also did my undergraduate degree in linguistics. I did my post-bacc classes at Portland State, and I based the classes I took on their graduate school admission requirements because they were my first pick. I looked at my other top choices too and tried to make sure I fulfilled their requirements. At PSU as far as I recall there was no specific post-bacc program, I just enrolled as an unmatriculated, non-degree seeking student. I ended up going to Idaho State for my master's, which was my back-up so I didn't really focus on their requirements. I got a phone call from them letting me know that they wanted to accept me but I would have to agree to take a few undergraduate courses that they required. They gave me the option to defer enrollment and take the undergrad classes first, or to start grad school right away on an extended track. I chose to start right away. I took two of the undergrad classes through Idaho State and another through an affiliated university, but I also looked at community colleges (it was like, Physics 101 and Chem 101 I was missing) and I was told they would have accepted those credits. Like the other person who responded said, some universities just won't accept you if you're missing pre-reqs,so I suggest choosing classes based on the requirements of your top picks. I would hope that if you end up getting accepted to a graduate program and you don't meet all their pre-req requirements, they would be able to suggest ways for you to fulfill them,or if not, possibly other students who are in the same boat will have some suggestions.

I went to Portland State and I didn't find it terribly rigorous. I was able to do slightly over half-time and continue working about 30 hours a week, if that gives you any idea. You might want to try universities that offer a MA vs. a MS. I've heard that those programs tend to be less science-focused (which I assume would trickle down to their undergrad classes). I can't vouch for how true that is, it's but it might be worth considering.