The UCI School of Social Sciences, in partnership with the Division of Continuing Education, has launched a post-baccalaureate program in computational language science. Housed in the Department of Language Science, the program aims to fill a gap in methods training for students interested in careers and/or graduate studies in computational linguistics.

“Our program will deliver training in state-of-the-art computational techniques for language science and give students access to this exciting, influential set of tools for the scientific study of language,” says program co-director Gregory Scontras, associate professor of language science. “We’ll also offer the opportunity to participate directly in language science research and hone scientific communication skills, both of which significantly strengthen student competitiveness for admission into graduate-level programs and computational jobs involving language data.”

Applications for the inaugural cohort are now open for the fall 2024 quarter. Admitted students will take an eight-course, 32 credit hour series - primarily in person - covering skills development in programming, computational modeling, probability, writing, machine learning, theory and more. Expected time to completion is three-to-four quarters (achievable in as little as one academic year) at which time students will be awarded a formal certificate.

“Computational methods are growing in importance as state-of-the-art research and engineering tools. Yet, many students interested in pursuing graduate studies in computational linguistics or applying to industry positions lack necessary background,” says co-director Lisa Pearl, professor of language science. “The Department of Language Science is one of the places for training in computational language science, with faculty who have expertise in both academic research and industry. By offering training in state-of-the-art quantitative skills from a unique, interdisciplinary perspective to the scientific study of language, we will help fill this gap.”

Interested applicants should visit https://www.langsci.uci.edu/postbacc/index.php.