Admissions
On This Page: Application Dates & Deadlines | Minimum Admission Requirements | Prerequisite Coursework | Pathway for Students With Linguistics Backgrounds | How to Apply | International Students | Placement Exam & Refresher Course (Admitted Students)
The UW Master of Science in Computational Linguistics is designed for those who want to pursue careers in computational linguistics or prepare for doctoral work in the field.
Our applicants come from backgrounds in computer science, linguistics and other fields. Some students come to the program directly from their undergraduate studies, while others return to school mid-career. The department values the contribution that students with diverse backgrounds and life histories make to the intellectual and social environment of the program. Find out how you can prepare for the program.
Application Dates & Deadlines
A new program cohort starts every fall quarter. All applications received by the March 1 deadline will be given full consideration for admission to that year's cohort and for program scholarships.
| Applications Open | Application Deadline | Program Begins |
|---|---|---|
| December 1, 2025 | March 1, 2026 |
Orientation: September 28-29, 2026 Classes Begin: September 30, 2026 |
Applicants will be notified of an admissions decision by April 1.
Minimum Admission Requirements
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States or its equivalent from a foreign institution
- A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 for the last graded 60 semester credits or 90 graded quarter credits
- Demonstrated English language proficiency for applicants whose native language is not English
- Completion of a college-level introductory course in linguistics or the equivalent
Course Prerequisites
The programming and math courses listed below aren’t needed to apply to the program, but if you’re admitted, you must complete them before you take LING 570 and 571. Starting on these prerequisites before applying will strengthen your application.
- The ability to program, including:
- Knowledge of data structures and algorithms (equivalent to CSE 373 at the UW)
- Proficiency in the Python programming language (Python is required for some core courses). UW's Professional & Continuing Education offers this flexible online course option, Foundations of Python Programming.
- Background in math and probability, including:
- Completion of an introductory probability and statistics course (equivalent to MATH/STAT 394 at the UW)
- Some multivariable calculus (partial derivatives/gradients) and some linear algebra
- Some knowledge of a language or languages other than English (strongly encouraged)
Pathway for Students With Linguistics Backgrounds
Individuals coming from a primarily linguistics or languages background are welcome to apply to the program. If admitted, these students should expect to complete the degree over a two-year, full-time schedule.
In the first year, students will complete the linguistics requirements along with any remaining prerequisite courses in computer science, probability and math. They will then complete the computational linguistics core sequence in the second year. Students applying with this pathway in mind must still submit evidence of aptitude for computer science; we advise that you take at least one or two programming courses before applying.
How to Apply
Begin your application for admission to the UW Graduate School.
If you’re a new applicant, click the Create an account link to start building your applicant profile.
Next, select your program.
In the Program Selection tab, choose these options:
• Select your application type: Graduate
• Narrow your search: By Degree
• Filter by degree: Master's
• Select your program: Linguistics (MS – Computational Linguistics)
You can save your application at any step and come back to it later. We recommend you begin your application early in order to complete all requirements on time.
Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university attended. If you’re a former or current University of Washington student, you must include your UW transcript.
Prepare a one-page resume or curriculum vitae that highlights your educational background and relevant professional experience. (optional)
Write your statement of purpose in 500 words or less. The statement of purpose is your chance to tell us how you have prepared for the program, what you expect to get out of it, and what you expect to do with the training afterwards.
Also, if there is anything in your application that should be contextualized (e.g., grades affected by life circumstances), you are invited to provide that context.
You'll receive a more detailed explanation of what's expected in the statement of purpose in the online application.
A computational linguistics skills questionnaire is part of the online application. Here is a preview of the questions.
Programming Experience
- What programming language are you most proficient in?
- How long have you used this language?
- Rate your proficiency with this language.
- Select one: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
- How did you achieve this proficiency?
- Select one: Coursework, Work Experience, Self-Study
- Please elaborate on your experience with this language. If you answered coursework above, please provide the institution, term/year, name and number of the class as it appears on your transcript.
- Would you like to describe your proficiency in additional programming languages?
- Yes - Repeats the programming language questions above up to twice more
- No
- Have you taken a course on Data Structures and Algorithms? Yes or No
- How does that course appear on your transcript (university name, semester/quarter year, course name)?
Linguistics Background
- Please describe your linguistics background.
- Select one: Major, Minor, Some courses, Self-Study, Other: (describe)
- Please provide any additional information about your linguistics experience. If you have done self-study, please describe any textbooks or resources used.
Quantitative Background
- Do you have any prior experience with Probability and Statistics? Yes or No
- Please describe your previous experience. If you took a course, how does that course appear on your transcript (university name, semester/quarter year, course name)?
- What is the highest level of mathematics study you have completed?
- Select one: Pre-calculus, College-level calculus (or AP), Above calculus (e.g., real analysis, etc.), Other: (describe)
Background in Languages
- What is your native language?
- What other language have you studied?
- What level of proficiency have you achieved in this language?
- Select one: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, Near-Native Language, Native Language
- How was this proficiency achieved? (i.e., 4 years of classes, study abroad, mother tongue, etc.)
- Would you like to describe your skills in another language?
- Yes - Repeats the language questions above up to twice more
- No
- Add any additional comments about your experience and skills in languages.
GRE scores are not required and will not be considered if submitted.
Identify two people who can recommend you to the program. A third recommendation is optional. Make sure you choose people who are familiar with your academic work, especially your work in computer science or linguistics courses.
You’ll need the email addresses of your references for the Graduate School application. When you designate your recommenders in the application, they’ll each be sent an email directing them to a secure website where they can submit their recommendations.
Pay the nonrefundable fee and submit your application.
You can check the status of your application at any time by logging into the application page.
International Students
International applicants are welcome to apply to the Master of Science in Computational Linguistics program. You are considered an international applicant if you are not a U.S. citizen, immigrant or permanent resident. International applicants must meet all admission requirements for the program.
Visa Status
International students must have a visa status that allows for academic study at the University of Washington. If you’re admitted to the program and plan to attend on an F-1 or J-1 visa, you must study full time — at least 10 credits per quarter — to maintain your visa status. For more information, review the citizenship and visa status section of the Graduate School application process page, and contact Graduate Enrollment Management Services at uwgrad@uw.edu if you have any questions.
English Language Proficiency
International applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. The UW Graduate School’s Policy 3.2 describes several ways you can do this. If required, please submit TOEFL scores. Test scores must be sent directly to the UW by the Educational Testing Service using institution code 4854. Only scores less than two years old will be accepted.
More Information
International Applicant Information
Visa Information for F-1 Students and J-1 Exchange Visitors
Placement Exam & Refresher Course (Admitted Students)
Before starting the computational linguistics core sequence, all admitted students must either pass a placement exam or take the UW Summer Quarter refresher course, Basics for Computational Linguistics. You can take the placement exam online as soon as you're admitted. Based on the results of the exam, we'll advise you on whether you're ready for the core sequence, if you need additional coursework in computer science and/or probability and statistics, or if you should take the summer refresher course.
You can take the summer refresher course online or in person at the UW. This course covers key concepts in probability and statistics, formal grammars and formal languages, finite-state automata and transducers, algorithms and data structures, and UNIX and server cluster usage.
If you're taking the program over two years, with the computational linguistics core sequence during the second year, you may postpone taking the placement exam and the summer refresher course (if necessary) until the end of your first year.
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