Best Master’s in Computational Linguistics

The Association for Computational Linguistics describes computational linguistics as the scientific study of language from a computational perspective.

Computational Linguistics (CL) combines resources from linguistics and computer science to discover how human language works. Computational linguists create tools for critical tasks such as machine translation, speech recognition, speech synthesis, grammar checking, and text mining.

Typically, computer science (CS) departments at colleges and universities offer computational linguistics as a specialization, though some linguistics departments also offer it. Some CS departments don’t offer CL as a formal specialization, but qualified students can often work with faculty to create their own focus area.

Computational linguistics graduate students take computer programming, math, and statistics courses. They examine subjects such as semantics, computational semantics, natural language processing, models in cognitive science, and phonology.

We ranked the best master’s in computer science programs based on acceptance and graduation rates, median ACT/SAT scores for accepted students, and average earnings of graduates, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

To determine a school’s influence, reputation, and faculty strength, we used data from AcademicInfluence.com, which tracks the scholarly publications and citations of professors, graduate students, and alumni of the ranked universities.

Both computational linguistics and natural language processing (NLP) apply formal training in linguistics, computer sciences, and machine learning. NLP allows computers to understand, analyze, and derive meaning from human language in an intelligent and useful way. NLP professionals organize and structure knowledge to perform tasks such as translation, text segmentation, and speech recognition.

NLP systems, with their ability to analyze language for meaning, perform tasks such as correcting grammar, automatically translating languages, and converting speech to text. NLP allows machines to communicate with people on conventional language-based terms, which makes it an important factor in cognitive computing.

Data scientists use NLP for log analysis of security models, risk management and regulatory compliance, and demand forecasting. Companies use NLP to improve the accuracy of documentation, enhance the efficiency of documentation processes, and identify the most pertinent information in large databases.

Most computational linguistics jobs require at least a master’s degree. To pursue a master’s degree, candidates must first hold a bachelor’s degree. While several undergraduate majors prepare students for graduate study in computational linguistics, a bachelor’s in linguistics or computer science provides ideal training for a master’s program.

Certain undergraduate courses may help students gain admission to a master’s program, such as courses in morphology, semantics, and statistics. Undergraduate classes in artificial intelligence and machine learning also prepare graduates for master’s programs in computational linguistics.

Many computational linguistics master’s programs set prerequisite requirements for admission. These requirements may include programming knowledge, such as the ability to program in specific languages, like Python, C++, or Java. Many programs also require or prefer applicants to have taken an undergraduate linguistics course, statistics or probability class, and foreign language courses.

Most graduate programs require a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and transcripts. They may also ask applicants to complete a skills assessment or provide samples of their academic work.

Computational linguistics is the most commercially viable branch of linguistics. Computational linguists can work for high-tech companies, creating and testing models for improving or developing new software in areas such as speech recognition, grammar checkers, and dictionary development. They can also work in computer-mediated language learning and artificial intelligence or in research groups at universities and government research labs.

Below are some common careers and average salaries for graduates with a master’s degree in computational linguistics.