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Application deadline
Credits and costs
Stackable Credentials
This program is embedded within the Master of Artificial Intelligence.
Gain Skills to Navigate Natural Language Processing Challenges
Gain a deep understanding of NLP tasks such as language modeling, text-to-speech generation, and natural language understanding and generation.
Frame NLP problems to understand and define the goals and obstacles in tasks and set up challenges to solve in language translation, chatbots, speech recognition, and language models.
Design and implement NLP pipelines for collecting and processing textual data.
Build, evaluate, and ensure explainability of NLP models using deep neural networks.
Establish standards and parameters to ensure transparency, fairness, and ethical behavior in AI systems.
Natural Language AI Courses
Natural Language AI Courses
It is recommended that students complete the Graduate Certificate in Foundations of Artificial Intelligence prior to starting this program.
The NLP certificate program's courses advance your foundational studies by delving into topics such as deep neural networks, natural language processing, and ethical considerations of AI.
Gain insights into modeling, designing, developing, and testing NLP–based applications in a responsible manner.
Required Courses (9 Credits)
- 3credits
This course will cover the foundations on neural networks and deep learning networks. It covers the core concepts of deep neural networks, including the convolutional neural networks for image recognition, recurrent neural networks for sequence generation, and generative adversarial networks for image generation.
- Prerequisite
STAT 500
- 3credits
This course covers basic as well as advanced concepts to gain a detailed understanding of Natural Language Processing tasks such as language modeling, text to speech generation, natural language understanding, and natural language generation. Students can learn the necessary skills to design a range of applications, including sentiment analysis, translating between languages, and answering questions. The practical implementation of these applications with deep neural networks is also discussed.
- Prerequisite
STAT500 and A-I 570 or DAAN 570
- 3credits
The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence is the young branch of applied ethics that seeks to study the far-reaching and diverse ethical issues that arise with the widespread and rapid integration of AI technologies into various aspects of our lives.
Using Certificate Credits toward a Stackable Credentials Degree Pathway
As part of the stackable pathway, the courses required for this 9-credit certificate can also be applied to a Master of Artificial Intelligence if you apply and are accepted into the program. If you have been accepted into this certificate program, you will not be charged an additional fee to apply for the Master of Artificial Intelligence program.
Courses may also apply to other degree programs. Students should contact their adviser to discuss transfer credit policies and application fees and details.
All courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C or better and an overall GPA of 3.0.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.
Start or Advance Your Career
Start or Advance Your Career
The Graduate Certificate in Natural Language Processing can prepare you for leadership roles as an NLP engineer, NLP researcher, linguist/language expert, and AI ethics specialist.
Career Services to Set You Up for Success
From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.
- Opportunities to connect with employers
- Career counselor/coach support
- Occupation and salary information
- Internships
- Graduate school resources
Ready to Learn More?
Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.
Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State graduate certificate?
Costs and Financial Aid
Costs and Financial Aid
Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.
2024–25 Academic Year Rates
How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
---|---|
11 or fewer | $1,067 per credit |
12 or more | $12,805 per semester |
2025–26 Academic Year Rates
How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
---|---|
11 or fewer | $1,078 per credit |
12 or more | $12,933 per semester |
Paying for Your Certificate
Students pursuing a certificate are considered "nondegree," a status that is not eligible for federal student aid, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. A private alternative loan may be an option to consider.
Additionally, Penn State offers many ways to pay for your education, including an installment plan and third-party payments. Penn State World Campus also offers an Employer Reimbursement and Tuition Deferment Plan. Learn more about the options for paying for your education.
Students pursuing a degree and meeting all other eligibility requirements may qualify for financial aid.
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
Additional Cost of Attendance Details
To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements:
- visit the Tuition Information site
- click the plus sign to expand the table
- select a semester from the World Campus row
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this program.
Earn Stackable Credentials on the Way to a Master's Degree
Earn Stackable Credentials on the Way to a Master's Degree
This certificate can serve as a stand-alone credential and as a step on your journey toward a Master of Artificial Intelligence. Stackable credentials recognize your new skills and knowledge while you work toward your master's degree — with no additional application fees.
Earning graduate certificates from Penn State World Campus is a great way to gain new skills and quickly add valuable credentials to your résumé.
This graduate certificate’s courses satisfy requirements toward the following degree(s):
This 33-credit artificial intelligence master's degree will help you gain the skills and knowledge needed to develop intelligent systems and explore new frontiers in artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, reinforcement learning, and computer vision.
Learn more about the Master of Artificial IntelligenceShow Your Progress with a Digital Badge
Show Your Progress with a Digital Badge
Upon completion of this program, Penn State awards you a graduate certificate and a digital badge from Credly.
Certificate earners are awarded a digital badge for each certificate they complete as part of this stackable credentials group. Badges can be displayed digitally to recognize your accomplishment of attaining a new level of knowledge.
Set Your Own Pace
Set Your Own Pace
Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.
Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall). If you plan to take a heavy course load, you should expect your course work to be your primary focus and discuss your schedule with your academic adviser.
To Finish Your Certificate in Less than a Year
- Take 1–2 courses each semester
To Finish Your Certificate in One Year
- Take 1 course each semester
Timelines may vary based on course availability.
Convenient Online Format
This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.
A Trusted Leader in Online Education
Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.
Information for Military and Veterans
Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, and application instructions.
How to Apply to Penn State
How to Apply to Penn State
Apply by November 15 to start January 13
Application Instructions
Deadlines and Important Dates
Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.
Spring Deadline
Apply by November 15 to start January 13Summer Deadline
Apply by March 15 to start May 19Fall Deadline
Apply by July 15, 2025, to start August 25, 2025
Steps to Apply
For admission to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.
Students should hold a bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or mathematics to be considered for admission to the program. Students from other disciplines will be considered based on prior course work (including the entrance requirements for mathematics and programming) and standardized test scores. Students should have earned at least a 3.00 junior/senior GPA (on a 4.00 scale) in their baccalaureate program.
Mathematics Requirement
Applicants must complete Calculus I (equivalent to Penn State's MATH 140), 1 semester of probability or statistics, and 1 semester of linear algebra.
Programming Requirement
Applicants must complete two introductory-level programming courses where both courses used the same language. If an applicant believes his/her work experience satisfies the background, he/she should include a recommendation letter from a technical colleague describing the applicant’s coding contributions at work.
You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:
Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. If you are a Penn State alum, you do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history.
GRE or GMAT — Scores are NOT required and will not be accepted.
English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Fox Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.
To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.
Create a New Penn State Account
If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].
Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.
Stackable Credentials Application Fee Waiver
If you have been previously accepted to a program with stackable credentials, you will not be charged an additional application fee for any associated programs.
Associated programs in the artificial intelligence stack:
Certificates
- Graduate Certificate in Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
- Graduate Certificate in Natural Language Processing
- Graduate Certificate in Computer Vision
Degree
- Master of Artificial Intelligence
If you begin with a certificate and are interested in pursuing the Master of Artificial Intelligence, work with your adviser while completing your first certificate to determine which program to apply to next.
Up to 15 credits earned in any of these certificate programs may be transferred to the Master of Artificial Intelligence, subject to restrictions outlined in GCAC-309 Transfer Credit.
You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.
- Choose Enrollment Type: "Certificate Admission"
- Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus
Checking Your Status
You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form.6. Complete the application.
Admissions Help
If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].
Current Penn State students should contact [email protected] with questions and for assistance.
Contact Us
Contact Us
Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.
To learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Natural Language Processing, offered in partnership with the Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies, please contact:
For general questions about the program:
Dr. Amanda Neill
[email protected]
For general questions about Penn State World Campus:
World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
[email protected]
Learn from the Best
Learn from the Best
The Graduate Certificate in Natural Language Processing is offered in partnership with the Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies. Penn State World Campus offers a flexible, online platform that allows you to pursue a world-class education while you continue to gain valuable work experience. You will receive the same education as a Penn State student on campus, and your courses will be taught by the same graduate faculty who are active in research and experts in their fields.
Faculty
Raghvinder S. Sangwan
- DegreePh.D., Computer and Information Sciences, Temple University
- DegreeM.S., Computer Science, West Chester University
- DegreeB.S., Genetics and Plant Breeding, Haryana Agricultural University
Dr. Raghvinder S. Sangwan is a professor of software engineering with expertise in the analysis, design, and development of large-scale, software-intensive systems and the use of AI engineering to design and develop intelligent systems that are safe, secure, and trustworthy. His research focuses on the improvement of these practices, and he has taught related courses to engineers and project managers at many prestigious academic, government, and industry organizations worldwide. Dr. Sangwan actively consults for Siemens Corporate Technology in Princeton, New Jersey, and holds a visiting scientist appointment at the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a distinguished contributor and senior member of IEEE and a senior member of ACM.
Hajime Shimao
- DegreePh.D., Economics, Purdue University
- DegreeB.A., Psychology, University of Tokyo
Hajime Shimao is an interdisciplinary social scientist who explores unique applications of machine learning and artificial intelligence in a wide range of domains, including economics, management, finance, law, history, and art. His research aims to unify views and methodologies from traditional disciplines with the cutting-edge technologies to develop novel research frameworks in social science.
Chengfei Wang
- DegreePh.D., Computer Science, Auburn University
- DegreeM.S., Computer Science, Auburn University
- DegreeM.S., Biophysics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
- DegreeB.S., Biotechnology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Dr. Chengfei Wang is an assistant professor of artificial intelligence. He teaches courses in foundations of AI and analytics programming in Python. His research interests include the robustness problem of deep learning models applied in life-critical missions and business intelligence based on natural language analysis of customer reviews on social media. His research on the robustness of the computer vision model was published at top-tier AI conference Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR) Conference.
We Are Penn State Online
This is the real Penn State. You will take courses with curriculum developed by the same professors who teach on campus. You can expect the same caliber of academic quality that you associate with Penn State.