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CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS CLASSES WORKSHOPS & LECTURES ONLINE LEARNING
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Certificate Program in
Natural Language Technology (online)

Overview  |   Courses  |   Advisory Board  |   How to Apply

How to Apply

The Summer 2008 program is no longer accepting applications

Single courses may be available »
Next program starts:
Summer 2009
Details will be posted in Winter
Program location:
Online; local students also have option to attend on-site class sessions
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Admission Requirements

This program has been designed for students with the following qualifications:

  • At least two years of programming experience in one or a combination of the following: C/C++, Java, Perl or Python
  • Knowing Perl or Python is a plus, but not required
  • Introduction to Statistics
  • Knowledge of data structures and algorithms (equivalent to CSE 326 at UW)

English Proficiency: Students who are non-native English speakers are expected to have adequate English language proficiency. For details, see English Language Guidelines.

International Students: This program does not qualify as full-time study, and therefore does not meet requirements for an F-1 visa. However, if you are an F-1 student currently enrolled full-time in another program, OR you are in the U.S. on some other type of visa (not F-1), you may be eligible to take a certificate program or course. For complete details, or to contact an adviser, see Visa Information.


Technology Requirements

  • PC or Mac with high-speed Internet access
  • Web browser
  • ssh client (available from Mac OS X, Linux, Cygwin, UWICK tools)

Application Process

The Summer 2008 program is no longer accepting applications. The next program begins in Summer 2009. Click here to be notified via e-mail when complete details for the next program are available online. The following information regarding the application process may be helpful as you plan for applying to the next program:

To Apply: Please submit one copy of the application form with a $50 certificate program fee* and two stapled application sets, which include the following clearly labeled documents:

  1. A typed (250-word maximum) letter of application describing your programming experience/knowledge and how it was acquired.
  2. Your résumé listing education and applicable programming experience.
  3. One set of transcripts from all relevant institutions (unofficial transcripts are acceptable)

Application Review: Selection of program participants is based on admission requirements. Applicants receive written notification of their acceptance or non-acceptance within two weeks after their application is received.

Enrollment: Applicants accepted to the program receive enrollment information for the first-term course and are encouraged to make their first-term tuition payment early. Enrollment in the program is on a first-come, first-served basis, upon receipt of the first-term tuition payment.

Waitlist: Some programs maintain a waitlist for applicants accepted after the program has reached enrollment capacity. If space becomes available, waitlisted applicants will be notified and given an opportunity to enroll. If space does not become available, waitlisted applicants will be offered a space in the next program offering.

* The certificate program fee is not refundable and does not guarantee admission to, or enrollment in, the program.


Certificate Program With the Degree Option

Applicants to the certificate program who think they might want to use certificate credits toward a future master's degree at University of Washington must also apply for Graduate Nonmatriculated (GNM) status.

GNM students are not presently seeking a degree, but may apply a maximum of 12 graduate-level credits toward degree requirements should they be accepted into a graduate program. It is important to note the following:

  • Acceptance as a GNM student does not imply admission to a graduate degree program.
  • Those who are admitted into the degree program must complete certificate courses prior to registering for courses as a degree student (i.e. certificate courses must be completed while having GNM status).

Additional information about degree requirements in the Professional Master's in Computer Linguistics is available on the Department of Linguistics website. Additional information about applying to the Graduate School at the UW can be found at The Graduate School.


GNM Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the United States, or its equivalent from a foreign institution.

  • A grade point average of 3.0 or better is required, based on the last 60 graded semester hours or last 90 graded quarter hours of undergraduate and graduate study.
  • Professional experience in computational linguistics or computer programming related field.
  • Compatibility of professional interests with program goals.

How to Submit a GNM Application

Follow the steps outlined here: Application for Graduate Study at the University of Washington.


Fees and Tuition

Tuition is payable on a course-by-course basis. Tuition for the entire program is $6,930 excluding the certificate program and registration fees, and textbooks. There is a $50 nonrefundable certificate program fee to apply to this program and a $35 nonrefundable registration fee each term or quarter. First-term tuition of $1,890, plus the nonrefundable registration fee, is due two weeks prior to the first day of the course.

The University's tuition exemption policy does not apply to this program. Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Information on registration and refund policies and procedures is included with registration materials.


Earning the Certificate

Participants are evaluated in each course on the basis of standards established by the advisory board and instructors. At the end of each course, participants are notified of successful or unsuccessful completion. Because courses are arranged sequentially, participants need to successfully complete classes in the previous term before they advance to the next term.

When the required courses are completed in this credit program, participants earn a certificate, which is presented at the annual UW Extension awards ceremony.


Single-Course Enrollment

Interested in taking just one class? Some courses in this program (those courses designated by a Class is also available to professionals who do not intend to pursue the certificate, but wish to enroll in individual classes on a space available basis) are open for single-course enrollment to those who do not wish to earn the certificate. Because some courses require prior knowledge and experience in the field, those interested in taking individual courses need to submit these materials:

  1. A completed application for single-course enrollment;
  2. A résumé listing your work-related experience, and a typed (250-word maximum) letter of application describing your experience/knowledge and how it was acquired.
  3. One set of transcripts from all relevant institutions (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).

Please note that courses taken as a non-certificate student are not automatically applied toward a certificate of completion in the program. Single-course enrollments are on a space-available basis. No certificate program fee is necessary; tuition is not accepted until you are notified of eligibility.

UW Extension reserves the right to cancel programs or classes with low enrollment.

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