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Linguistics Master's with a Concentration in Computational Linguistics
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Program type:
Major
Format:
On Campus
Est. time to complete:
2 years
Credit Hours:
36
Research, develop and perfect the technology to study languages and improve human-computer
communications with a Linguistics MA with a Concentration in Computational Linguistics.
Computational technologies are increasingly present in daily life, from voice-enabled
smartphone assistants to predictive text input to machine translation technologies.
From an academic viewpoint, CL is the scientific study of language from a computational
perspective, living at the intersection of language and technology. Students develop
keen skills in linguistics and linguistic analysis. This knowledge can then be applied
to the design of computational systems for automating linguistic analysis. At UNT,
we place a particular focus on how computational methods can support the work of documenting
endangered languages, linking two of our department's strengths.
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Request More InfoWhy earn a Concentration in Computational Linguistics Master's degree?
Computational Linguistics (CL) is a rapidly growing field in the high-tech sector, critical for the development of technologies such as voice-enabled smartphones (e.g. Siri, Cortana) and home assistants (e.g. Alexa). IBM’s Jeopardy-winning Watson system is another example of what CL can do.
Yet another application area is text analytics for market analysis. This concentration is specifically intended to address a growing need for language processing skills, particularly those associated with the rapid growth of artificial intelligence/cognitive technologies.
Systems like Siri or Alexa are built on a pipeline of language processing technologies, ranging from voice and speech recognition to language understanding and automatic question answering. Developing such technologies is a complex process that requires knowledge from both Linguistics and Computer Science.
This program will equip students with the research design and technology skills to apply their linguistics studies to real-world problems.
Marketable Skills
- Language structure analysis
- Analyze language function and use
- Analyze diverse populations' linguistic behaviors
- Critical thinking
- Formulate solutions to complex issues
Linguistics Master's with a Concentration in Computational Linguistics Highlights
Our strengths lie in our established TESOL program and research areas in language
variation and change, language documentation, linguistic analysis of literature, language
technology and language data curation. Our international collaborations currently
are with Mexico, India, Pakistan and China.
UNT is one of a few Linguistics programs in the country to offer regular courses in
the linguistic analysis of poetry and prose. The courses focus on the many kinds of
repetition that are used by the world’s great writers, which have the effect of making
literary texts a permanent part of the world’s art.
Students will get hands-on experience to develop technical skills in areas such as
automatic linguistic analysis, machine learning, computer programming and more.
Beginning full-time students who meet all qualifications may apply for financial assistance
from the UNT office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. In addition, beginning
and continuing students may apply for financial assistance from the Department of
Linguistics.
Our program offers courses in professional development to help graduates with career
placement.
UNT Linguistics is supported by an active linguistics research community at UNT with
ties across campus and with local, national and international communities.
What Can You Do With a Concentration in Computational Linguistics Master's degree?
Computational Linguistics (CL) is a rapidly growing field in the high-tech sector, critical for the development of technologies such as voice-enabled smartphones (e.g. Siri, Cortana) and home assistants (e.g. Alexa). IBM’s Jeopardy-winning Watson system is another example of what CL can do.Yet another application area is text analytics for market analysis. This concentration is specifically intended to address a growing need for language processing skills, particularly those associated with the rapid growth of artificial intelligence/cognitive technologies.
Systems like Siri or Alexa are built on a pipeline of language processing technologies, ranging from voice and speech recognition to language understanding and automatic question answering. Developing such technologies is a complex process that requires knowledge from both Linguistics and Computer Science.
This program will equip students with the research design and technology skills to apply their linguistics studies to real-world problems.
Required Foundation Courses, 12 Hours
LING 5405 - Programming for Linguistics (3 hrs)
Introduction to programming in linguistic contexts, focusing on one or more programming
languages that can be used in a variety of settings. Specific topics include computational
database creation, automating research tasks, handling linguistic data types, and
extracting data from websites, books, databases, etc.
LING 5410 - Foundations of Computational Linguistics (3 hrs)
Introduction to the computational analysis of language, focusing on core methods in
modelling language and linguistic data. Combination of theory and implementation.
LING 5412 - Advanced Models of Language (3 hrs)
Advanced course in creating models of language focusing on topics such as AI models,
evolutionary models, and simulation models. Methods used include Deep Learning, clustering
algorithms, agent-based models and machine translation.
LING 5415 - Special Topics in Computational Linguistics (3 hrs)
Seminar-style discussion of advanced/specialized topics in computational linguistics.
Students design and execute scientific research in the field of CL/NLP.
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