program overview
artificial intelligence (ai) has exploded in capability and popularity, disrupting many established industries and leaving urgent knowledge and skills gaps in its wake.
with a predicted addition of $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030 (pwc), it is critical that professionals from various fields in the workforce:
- understand modern solution trends in ai
- learn and grow new skill sets in ai tools
- develop competencies in industry-specific ai solutions
- grow a deeper understanding of the impact that ai has on society
lipscomb’s applied artificial intelligence graduate program is the first of its kind in nashville, tennessee to provide professionals the opportunity to amplify their industry-specific experience with modern computing skills without requiring an undergraduate degree in computer science. choose to pursue either a master of science (30 credit hours) or a graduate certificate (9 credit hours).
what is an applied artificial intelligence degree and why is it significant?
our program, applied ai, focuses on the use and application of ai tools and techniques to solve practical problems in an effective, efficient and ethical manner. we aim to provide answers to the questions around the rise of ai technologies and their potential effects across all industries.
this program explores the core principles, strategic solutions and application domains of artificial intelligence, along with its ethical implications. through discipline-specific application sequences, students will examine ai trends and their problem-solving capabilities across various industries, such as health care, business, education, the arts, engineering, entertainment and more. our innovative curriculum and course delivery features a studio-based educational environment where students collaborate to build ai projects that address emerging challenges where ai is increasingly becoming the optimal solution strategy.
our program focuses on top-tier tools and interfaces from industry leaders, such as open ai (gpt), microsoft (copilot and azure ai), google (gemini), ibm (watson) and others to solve challenging problems in health care, business, public leadership, education, the arts and engineering.
the master of science in applied artificial intelligence program classes are offered both in person and via zoom with cloud-based recordings of the weekly material so students can watch and participate remotely and/or asynchronously. this hybrid approach allows students to participate according to their own needs and schedule.
the 30-credit-hour m.s. program includes 15 hours of foundational ai courses, complemented by:
- 6 credit hours of discipline-specific ai application courses
- 6 credit hours of discipline-specific ai studio courses
- a 3-credit-hour capstone (non-thesis)
the graduate certificate in applied artificial intelligence is designed for professionals who seek to learn new skills in applying artificial intelligence tools toward solving problems in a particular discipline. students will learn ai tools and techniques specific to their chosen discipline.
classes for the certificate are offered in a hybrid format, available both in-person and online. courses include:
- foundations of artificial intelligence (3 credit hours)
- applied ai in a particular discipline (3 credit hours)
- ai studio i (3 credit hours)
want to expand on your new knowledge even more? students who complete a certificate of graduate study can apply their existing course credits toward the requirements of the master’s of applied artificial intelligence degree. then, with only a couple of additional courses, you can secure your master’s degree!
how much does the program cost?
$899 per credit hour
are there requirements to be eligible for this program?
applicants must have a bachelor's degree with a transcript showing a minimum math course of college algebra.
do i need a specific background for a degree artificial intelligence?
historically, individuals who were seeking an advanced degree in artificial intelligence would have come from a computer science background. however, the landscape has recently changed with the emergence of ai-based tools as popular consumer products. this has driven the need for ai expertise among a variety of professionals (those without a cs background).
can i attend the master’s courses remotely if i can’t attend in person?
yes, you can attend either on-ground or remotely online either synchronously or asynchronously as your schedule permits.
can i apply the certificate credits earned toward a master's degree in applied artificial intelligence?
yes, the courses you take toward the certificate will apply toward the master's degree.
what if i don't know anything about computer science or programming?
our program is designed for general professionals who do not have computer science or software engineering credentialing or experience. the minimum requirement is that applicants hold a bachelor's degree with a transcript indicating one course in college algebra or higher.
i have a computer science or software background. is this program still for me?
yes! with a background in computer science or software, this program is an excellent fit for you. it will enhance your skill set through project work focused on creating ai-based software artifacts. the program’s aim is to be inclusive of all backgrounds, including software.
