Master of Computational Linguistics at Montclair State University

Montclair State University offers the Master of Computational Linguistics as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its main campus in Montclair , United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 2 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for computational linguistics and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on August 28, 2027.

About Master of Computational Linguistics

Computational Linguistics (MS)

The Departments of Linguistics and Computer Science have teamed up to offer the ONLY Master of Science in Computational Linguistics program in New Jersey. A total of 32 credits is required to complete the two-year Master's program. All interested in languages and technology can apply regardless of their undergraduate major. Students in the program will be able to conduct research in state-of-the-art labs through funded federal research grants. Prerequisite courses (up to 11 additional credits) will be determined in consultation with the Graduate Program Coordinator. The coursework depends on the background of the student.

Computational linguistics is an interdisciplinary academic discipline that combines elements of linguistics, software engineering, artificial intelligence and electrical engineering. Professionals trained in this field help machines process human language and help linguists understand language through computer models. It is the most commercially viable branch of linguistics; hundreds of companies in the US work on computational linguistics or Natural Language Processing (NLP, a related field whose goal is to build language processing applications).

It prepares students for employment in industry in the broad field of computer and information research and analysis with strength in language analysis. Employers seek candidates with the MS credentials to be computational linguists, social analysts, knowledge engineers, search product analysts, language engineers, technical linguists, voice user interface designers, and ontology engineers, among others. According to 2017 Burning Glass data, the average listed salary for these positions in NY-NJ-PA Metro area was $102,000.

Computational linguists work for high tech companies, creating and testing models for improving or developing new software in areas such as speech recognition, grammar checking, dictionary developing and more.
Computational linguists work in the areas of computer-mediated language learning and artificial intelligence.
Computational linguists work in research groups at universities and government research labs.

Companies that employ computational linguists include Google, Amazon, Nuance, Merck, Interactions, Red Hat, Acquire Media, Berlitz, ETS, Ethnic Technologies, Veracode, CQ Fluency, Ogilvy Common Health, as well as many smaller companies in the region.

Download this presentation for a comprehensive look at the Computational Linguistics (MS) program and the application process.

Along with the Computational Linguistics (MS) degree, the Linguistics Department offers a graduate Computational Linguistics (Certificate).

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Computational Linguistics at Montclair State University

Entry Requirements

Transcripts and Transcript Evaluation

A requirement of your application is to list the name of every institution that you’ve previously attended or are currently attending, regardless of the length of attendance.

If you are an undergraduate student in your last term, you may upload an unofficial copy of your current transcript. Upon acceptance into a graduate program, a final transcript indicating that you have completed your undergraduate studies will be required before the start of classes.

The Office of Graduate Admissions does not evaluate international transcripts. In lieu of a transcript, applicants with a non-U.S. degree must submit a course-by-course evaluation of their academic record. We accept evaluations from any NACES member organization. If you do not have or plan to obtain a transcript evaluation, you should upload your unofficial transcripts to your portal for further consideration*.

OFFICIAL transcript evaluations sent directly from the NACES-approved company are required.

*Note: The Office of Graduate Admissions will offer a limited number of free transcript evaluations for eligible F-1 and J-1 visa applicants. After the application is completed (with exception of the transcript evaluation), students will receive an email with their next steps to request this service. We will review all requests received to determine eligibility and will notify the applicants accordingly. Note that, due to a number of factors, we cannot guarantee this service will be provided to all students who request it.

GRE/GMAT Test Scores

The GRE/GMAT is NOT required for many of Montclair State University’s graduate programs. Consult our programs of study page to see if the exam is required for your major.

Programs that do ask for submission of a GRE/GMAT exam will often offer waivers for students who meet specific criteria. Visit the GRE/GMAT exam waiver page to view test exemption criteria.

The institutional codes for reporting are as follows:

GRE: 2520
GMAT: full time MBA: 1T2-NK-86

Letters of Recommendation

The majority of graduate programs require two (2) letters of recommendation. Some programs may not require any, and some may require as many as three. As requirements vary by major, please consult our programs of study page for information specific to your program.

During the application process, the online system will give you the option to provide the contact information of your recommenders in the recommendations tab of your application. You will also have the opportunity to add their contact information after you submit in your application portal. They will then receive instructions from Graduate Admissions on how to submit their recommendations electronically.
Whenever possible, recommendations should be from professors in your undergraduate and graduate field of study who are familiar with your academic work.
If a significant amount of time has passed since you graduated, recommendation letters can be submitted from employers, supervisors or other professionals who can comment on your background, work experience, and motivation to succeed.
Friends, family members, or fellow students are not considered appropriate sources for a recommendation letter.

Additional Supplemental Application Requirements

Some programs may require submission of additional application items including a resume, a statement of purpose (SOP), an essay, an audition, or a portfolio. As requirements vary by major, please consult our programs of study page for information specific to your program.

English Requirements

PTEMin 53
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 83

Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Computational Linguistics at Montclair State University

Application Fee 60

How to Apply for Master of Computational Linguistics at Montclair State University

Montclair State University Application or Common App

Please note: The Common App option is for Freshman applicants only.

Applications for undergraduate admissions are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Check your application status. (If you applied through The Common App, you must create a Montclair State account to check your status. An email will be sent to you with those log-in credentials once your application is received.)
Montclair State University considers a number of factors in reviewing admissions applications. Well-qualified candidates for admission have a 3.2 or higher cumulative high school GPA on an unweighted, 4.0 scale, a challenging course load (particularly in junior and senior years), and a variety of extracurricular activities.
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required, but, if you chose to submit those scores, they will be considered in the admissions process.
Other factors considered in our holistic review process include: strong letters of recommendation from teachers and/or counselors; a well-written, thoughtful admissions essay; and a commitment to extracurricular engagement, both in school and in the community.

Master of Computational Linguistics at Montclair State University

Montclair State University

United States of America, Montclair