Best Master’s in Computational Linguistics

From its Manhattan campus, New York University offers a doctoral degree with a focus area in computational linguistics from the Department of Linguistics. Learners study the fundamentals of linguistics before pursuing advanced courses and research in their focus area. In NYU's Machine Learning for Language group, linguistics learners study natural language understanding and natural language processing.

During a machine learning for language understanding class, learners explore machine learning methods with a focus on artificial neural networks, culminating in a research paper on artificial intelligence or computational linguistics. During natural language understanding courses, students learn about artificial intelligence research and its connection to naturally occurring human language. These classes prepare doctoral students for advanced research in computational linguistics.

Program topics and areas of learning at NYU include:

• Computational linguistics
• Natural language processing
• Artificial neural networks
• Computational semantics
• Machine learning

Applicants must submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, a resume, and a writing sample. The writing sample must include a term paper, senior essay, thesis, or publication.

At the University of Chicago, prospective computational linguists can earn a graduate degree through the Department of Linguistics. One of the oldest linguistics departments in the country, UChicago offers a theory-oriented focus with an empirical interest in languages. The department encourages interdisciplinary and interdepartmental study, including work with the computer science department on computational linguistics.

Doctoral students complete foundational courses in their first two years. UChicago offers a three-course computational linguistics sequence as part of its foundational courses. The curriculum also includes classes like mathematical foundations of computational linguistics, language learnability, and introduction to artificial intelligence. After completing coursework, students must submit qualifying papers and meet the department's language requirement before advancing to the candidacy phase.

Program topics and areas of learning at UChicago include:

• Computational linguistics
• Artificial intelligence
• Industrial linguistics
• Machine learning

Applicants must submit GRE scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose describing their research area and reason for pursuing a graduate degree.

At the University of California, Los Angeles, graduate students in the Department of Linguistics can earn degrees in computational linguistics, computational semantics, or computational phonology. UCLA emphasizes linguistic theory, with a focus on fieldwork and experimental study. Graduate students can take a two-term computational linguistics sequence, which incorporates lecture and lab learning on theoretical linguistics and natural language processing.

The linguistics department admits eight students per year to its doctoral program, making it highly selective. UCLA also offers a computational linguistics master's degree for students planning to earn a doctorate. All graduate students complete core classes, write a master's thesis, and take field method courses and seminars. Doctoral students complete a dissertation in their research area.

Program topics and areas of learning at UCLA include:

• Computational linguistics
• Computational semantics
• Computational phonology
• Natural language processing

Applicants must submit a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and transcripts. The statement of purpose should explain the applicant's background and their reasons for earning a linguistics graduate degree.

The University of Pennsylvania offers graduate degrees through the Department of Linguistics. The department lets students pursue interdisciplinary topics like computational linguistics, prioritizing collaboration with the computer science and psychology departments. Penn graduate students specializing in computational linguistics can join the computational linguistics research area, an interdisciplinary group of faculty and graduate students.

Penn runs the Linguistic Data Consortium, which compiles and distributes linguistic materials specifically for language engineering research. A valuable resource for computational linguists and researchers worldwide, the consortium hosts conferences and maintains a digital archive of papers in the field.

Program topics and areas of learning at Penn include:

• Computational linguistics
• Language engineering
• Artificial intelligence
• Machine learning

Penn typically admits students seeking a doctorate in linguistics, though it may accept candidates pursuing a computational linguistics master's degree. Applicants must submit transcripts, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and writing samples.

Founded in 1861, the University of Washington ranks as one of the top public universities in the country. The school offers a master of science in computational linguistics with on-campus and online options. The computational linguistics master's degree prepares students to pursue careers in tech or a doctorate in computational linguistics.

Master's students complete nine courses, and full-time students can earn their degree in one year. Students take four core computational linguistics classes, two linguistics classes, and three electives. Coursework incorporates hands-on work, research, and collaborative projects to provide the skills needed for computational linguistics jobs. Master's students culminate the degree with an internship or thesis.

Program topics and areas of learning at UW include:

• Computational linguistics
• Natural language processing
• Grammar engineering
• Machine translation

The program admits applicants with a background in linguistics and computer science. Coursework in programming, algorithms, linguistics, and statistics prepare undergraduates for the computational linguistics master's program.

At the University of Southern California, the Department of Linguistics enrolls 35-40 graduate students studying different areas of linguistics, including computational linguistics. During USC's five-year doctoral program, graduate students conduct research, present papers at conferences, and publish their work in journals.

Doctoral students also complete three graduate seminars in linguistics and advanced courses in their research area. After meeting coursework requirements, students must pass a qualifying examination, which includes written and oral requirements. Doctoral candidates then complete a dissertation in their research area.

The linguistics department admits 6-9 doctoral students annually. Applicants must submit a statement of purpose explaining their linguistics background and reason for pursuing a computational linguistics Ph.D. at USC. Applicants must also submit three letters of recommendation, transcripts, a resume, and a research paper.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers one of the only undergraduate computational linguistics degrees in the country, in addition to a computational linguistics graduate program. The schools Ph.D. in linguistics lets graduate students pursue a specialization in computational linguistics.

The program encourages students to conduct original research. The Zea Mays Center for Computational Linguistics brings together faculty and graduate students conducting computational language research in an interdisciplinary group. Through natural language processing seminars and a reading group, doctoral students strengthen their computational linguistics training.

Program topics and areas of learning at Illinois include:

• Computational linguistics
• Machine learning
• Natural language processing

Students complete coursework during their first two years, followed by qualifying exams. In the second stage of the program, doctoral students complete additional coursework and a second qualifying examination. In the final stage, students research, write, and defend a dissertation. The program admits students with a bachelor's or master's degree.

Founded in 1891, the California Institute of Technology ranks as one of the top universities in the country. Caltech offers a research area in statistics and machine learning that allows graduate students to pursue a computational linguistics master's or doctoral degree.

Graduate students conduct research on computational linguistics, mathematical linguistics, and machine learning while earning their degree. A graduate course in mathematical and computational linguistics covers models of acquisition, learnability, and communicative efficiency.

Program topics and areas of learning at Caltech include:

• Computational linguistics
• Machine learning
• Mathematical linguistics

Prospective Caltech graduate students must submit a CV, transcripts, and three letters of recommendation. Caltech also requests a statement of purpose and GRE scores. While Caltech admits applicants from outside computer science and applied mathematics, students benefit from a background in the field.

Established in 1883, the University of Texas at Austin offers both a master's and doctoral degree with a concentration in computational linguistics through the Department of Linguistics. The interdisciplinary concentration trains students in the theory, technologies, and applications of computational linguistics. Students participate in a cross-departmental reading group on natural language learning and work with faculty in multiple departments.

During their first year, students take core linguistics classes. UT Austin offers computational linguistics classes on computational semantics, computing for text analysis, natural language learning, and applied text analysis. Graduate students also take computer science courses on topics like natural language processing and machine learning.

Program topics and areas of learning at UT Austin include:

• Computational linguistics
• Natural language processing
• Applied text analysis
• Computational semantics

Prospective students must submit a statement of purpose detailing their interests in linguistics and specialization areas and their plans for graduate study. Applicants also submit three letters of recommendation and a sample research paper.

An Ivy League institution located in Rhode Island, Brown University dates back to 1764. Graduate students can earn a computational linguistics degree from the Department of Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences. The department focuses on studies of language processing, linguistic structure, and computational processes.

Brown offers a Ph.D. in psychology, cognitive science, and linguistics, with the option to focus on computational linguistics. The program incorporates seminars, scholarly projects, and research to develop the skills necessary for computational linguistics jobs. The computational linguistics concentration lets students work with faculty from multiple departments to customize the degree around their interests.

Program topics and areas of learning at Brown include:

• Computational linguistics
• Language processing

The highly selective admissions process interviews 15% of applicants and offers admission to half of the interviewees. Admitted students receive five years of tuition remission and a graduate stipend to support their studies.

At the University of California, San Diego, graduate students can earn a computational linguistics Ph.D. from the Linguistics Department. The department focuses on theoretical and experimental approaches to language, with research areas in computational linguistics, psycholinguistics, and language acquisition. Linguistics students can collaborate with faculty in the computer science, cognitive science, psychology, and anthropology departments.

Doctoral students receive theoretical and research training, taking classes in core linguistic analysis fields and learning how to conduct experimental investigations. Research training covers topics like field methods and documentation of understudied languages, computational modeling, neurolinguistics, and language acquisition. Theoretical training covers core topics like phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.

With only seven required courses, doctoral students can specialize their training by pursuing courses in a focus area, such as computational linguistics. After completing coursework, students research, write, and defend their dissertation before a faculty committee.

At Duke University, graduate students can pursue a computational linguistics master's or doctoral degree through the Department of Computer Science. The inDuke program lets computational linguistics graduate students collaborate with industry partners on research projects.

Students can concentrate on areas like machine learning and natural language processing systems. Machine learning courses prepare graduate students to conduct advanced computational linguistics work. Natural language processing learners study theories of semantics and build natural language interactive systems.

Program topics and areas of learning at Duke include:

• Computational linguistics
• Artificial intelligence
• Machine learning

The master's program receives over 650 applicants each year, with highly competitive admissions. Duke recommends a strong background in computer science, particularly for applicants who did not major or minor in computer science during their undergraduate degree. The Ph.D. program provides full financial support for admitted students, and first-year doctoral students can take advantage of summer funding incentives to complete research.

Purdue University offers graduate linguistics programs for students interested in a computational linguistics master's or doctoral degree. Both graduate programs let students customize the degree around their interests, with a strong interdisciplinary focus. First-year graduate learners study the foundations of linguistics to develop their research interests. Advanced coursework focuses on the student's research area.

The School of Interdisciplinary Studies houses the linguistics department, underscoring the attention to multi-disciplinary training. The linguistics program builds strengths in linguistic and psycholinguistic development, language acquisition, and fieldwork. The curriculum blends theoretical and experimental approaches to linguistics.

Applicants must submit transcripts, an academic writing sample, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose describing their academic and professional goals. Purdue also considers an applicant's background in linguistics, research, and writing.

Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Northwestern University offers a Ph.D. in linguistics through the Department of Linguistics. The program integrates theory with advanced experimental and computational methods. Graduate students benefit from access to laboratory facilities, interdisciplinary opportunities, and full funding for their studies.

Students complete core courses before choosing from electives in areas like computational linguistics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The program emphasizes integrative research. Computational linguistics students can customize a research plan around their interests.

In addition to the linguistics program, graduate students can earn a master of science in artificial intelligence at Northwestern. The program incorporates technical skills to train students in machine intelligence and human-machine interactions.

Program topics and areas of learning at Northwestern include:

• Computational linguistics
• Artificial intelligence

Applicants must submit official transcripts, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and a CV or resume. They must also submit a writing sample and statement of purpose. The highly competitive program typically admits 4-6 students per year.

The flagship campus of Wisconsin's public university system, the University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a Ph.D. in linguistics through the Language Sciences Department. Learners study topics like computational linguistics, human-computer interaction, and machine learning. Students receive foundational linguistics theory training before working with a faculty advisor to create an individualized research program.

In addition to a Ph.D. in linguistics, the department offers a Ph.D. minor in linguistics for graduate students in other departments, like computer science. The ability to minor at the graduate level lets students pursue an interdisciplinary course of study. Research groups in human-computer interaction, machine learning, and artificial intelligence bring together faculty and graduate students to solve complex interdisciplinary research problems.

Program topics and areas of learning at UW include:

• Computational linguistics
• Human-computer interactions
• Machine learning
• Artificial intelligence

Linguistics doctoral students generally complete the program in 5-6 years. Graduate students spend the first 3-4 years meeting coursework requirements, which includes writing two original research papers and defending them before a preliminary exam committee. The program then allows two years for dissertation research and defense.