UNC Charlotte to launch artificial intelligence bachelor’s and master’s programs

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte will launch bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in artificial intelligence in August 2026, establishing the University as one of an elite few institutions in the country offering in-demand, comprehensive AI education.

Along with the foundational AI research performed in the College of Computing and Informatics and the University-wide Charlotte AI Institute, these new academic programs will further bolster UNC Charlotte’s status as a leader in artificial intelligence. In collaboration with industry partners, UNC Charlotte continues to shape AI’s increasingly pivotal role in the economic outlook of the Charlotte region and beyond.

The University of North Carolina System Board of Governors formally approved the new Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree programs on Sept. 18. UNC Charlotte will be the first institution in the UNC System to offer a dedicated master’s degree in artificial intelligence and one of only two to offer a focused AI bachelor’s degree, along with North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, whose program is also set to launch next fall.

According to federal data, only about 20 universities in the country currently offer dedicated undergraduate degrees in AI, while approximately 35 institutions offer dedicated master’s degree programs in the field.

“The new AI programs are an important next step in UNC Charlotte’s leadership in technology, building on our strength in data science and computing,” said Jennifer Troyer, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “These programs leverage our faculty, who are doing groundbreaking research in AI, and ensure our students are prepared with the skills and experiences to thrive in the rapidly evolving AI workforce.”

“AI continues to shape the world, and we are just at the beginning”, said Bojan Cukic, professor and dean of the College of Computing and Informatics. “Nearly everyone in the workforce will rely on AI technology. Our programs will prepare the next generation of AI developers and thought leaders who push these technologies forward in a way that maximizes society’s benefit.”

The Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence is designed for students aiming to build skills for a range of careers in AI and machine learning. Graduates with this degree will gain comprehensive training in core mathematics, computing, AI algorithms, the AI software lifecycle, and ethical considerations, while also building strong communication and teamwork abilities through practical, hands-on learning. The program offers built-in flexibility, allowing students to explore courses in other disciplines and apply AI across diverse fields.

The Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program will provide students with advanced skills and knowledge in planning, design, implementation, testing and management of AI systems, applications and infrastructures. The program features a wide selection of high-level courses that cover the latest developments in the ever-evolving field.

The new dedicated AI programs join several other artificial intelligence educational opportunities at UNC Charlotte, including CCI’s bachelor’s and master’s in computer science’s concentration in AI, robotics and gaming, its minor in artificial intelligence for non-computer science majors, its graduate certificate in applied artificial intelligence, and the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees offered by the School of Data Science, all of which focus in part on AI.

Enrollment for the two new programs begins in fall 2026.