Coming Fall 2026: MS in AI

Artificial Intelligence, M.S.

UNC Charlotte College of Computing and Informatics

NOTE: This program is pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Thinking about a future in AI? Applications open soon for Fall 2026! Connect with us to learn more. 

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Program Description:

The Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program provides students with advanced skills and knowledge in planning, design, implementation, testing, and management of AI systems, applications, and infrastructures. Graduates with this degree will possess comprehensive training in core mathematics and AI algorithms, the AI software lifecycle, ethical considerations, as well as communication and teamwork abilities. The program features a wide selection of advanced courses that cover the latest developments in the ever-evolving field of AI. Students in the M.S. in Artificial Intelligence program are encouraged to utilize elective courses to explore additional disciplines, thereby enhancing their capabilities in creating practical AI solutions.

Admissions Requirements:

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, students applying for this program are expected to have knowledge of computer programming, data structures, calculus, statistics and linear algebra.  Students without undergraduate prerequisite courses in computer science and mathematics may be instructed to demonstrate prior knowledge, as determined by the Graduate Program Director.

A bachelor’s degree in computer science would be beneficial. Individuals who have worked as professionals in the computer industry may be able to substitute work experience for some of the specific subject area admission requirements, subject to review by the Graduate Program Director.

Students must have an undergraduate grade point average of (or equivalent to) at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 point scale) and a Junior/Senior GPA of at least 3.0.

Program Requirements and Eligibility:

  1. Prerequisites
    1. Math Requirements:
      1. Calculus
      2. Linear Algebra and Statistics
    2. Computer Science Requirements (equivalent work experience in relevant field will be considered):
      1. Computer Programming
      2. Data Structures
  2. Undergraduate academic record
  3. TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo (for international students)
  4. GRE – Applicants who completed undergraduate degree outside of the United States may voluntarily submit GRE test scores and they will be reviewed as part of the holistic application consideration. Please note, the GRE requirement is optional.
  5. Statement of purpose
Curriculum – Total 30 credit hours

Core Courses (12 credit hours)

  • ITAI 5153 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Ethics (3)
  • Choose one ML course
    • ITCS 5356 Introduction to Machine Learning (3)
    • ITCS 5154 Applied Machine Learning (3)
  • Choose one AI course
    • ITCS 6150 Artificial Intelligence (3)
    • ITCS 5153 Applied Artificial Intelligence (3)
  • Select one of the following courses
    • ITAI 5154 AI-Driven Trustworthy Software Development (3)
    • ITAI 5160 Databases and Cloud for Artificial Intelligence (3)
    • ITAI 6153 Machine Learning Operations (3)

Technical Courses (9 credit hours): Select any three of the following (clusters are only suggestions).

Machine Learning Cluster

  • ITCS 6101 Natural Language Processing (3)
  • ITCS 6156 Machine Learning (3)
    ITCS 6169 Computer Vision (3)

Robotics and Decision Making Cluster

  • ITCS 5150 Mobile Robotics (3)
  • ITCS 6050 Topics in Artificial Intelligence (3)
  • ITCS 6151 Intelligent Robotics (3)
  • ITCS 6152 Robot Motion Planning (3)

Human-AI Interaction Cluster

  • ITCS 5122 Visual Analytics (3)
  • ITCS 5123 Visualization and Visual Communication (3)
  • ITCS 6121 Data and Information Visualization (3)
  • ITCS 6125 Virtual and Augmented Reality (3)
  • ITIS 5353 Social Technology Design (3)
    ITIS 5360 Human-Centered AI (3)

AI System Design Cluster

  • ITAI 5154 AI-Driven Trustworthy Software Development (3)
  • ITAI 5160 Databases and Cloud for Artificial Intelligence (3)
  • ITAI 6153 Machine Learning Operations (3)
  • ITCS 6145 Parallel Computing (3)
  • ITCS 6190 Cloud Computing for Data Analysis (3)

A Security Cluster

  • ITIS 5270 Artificial Intelligence Risk Management (3)
  • ITIS 5271 Secure and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (3)
  • ITIS 6220 Data Privacy (3)

General Elective Courses (6 credit hours): Students select 6 credit hours of any graduate level courses.  Students are encouraged to explore the courses from non-AI disciplines for learning and applying A.I. to solve interdisciplinary problems

Capstone (3 credit hours): Select one of the following courses. Credit hours from a capstone course may be counted towards a concentration requirement, too, if the same course is listed in that concentration. For students pursuing the M.S. Thesis, they will have to enroll in ITAI 6991 in two consecutive semesters (6 credit hours total), with the 3 credit hours satisfying the capstone requirement.

  • ITAI 5154 AI-Driven Trustworthy Software Development
  • ITAI 6153 Machine Learning Operations
  • ITAI 6880 Individual Study
  • ITAI 6991 Artificial Intelligence Thesis
  • ITAI 6155 Artificial Intelligence Development Projects

Grade Requirements:

Core Courses must each be passed with A or B grades.  A minimum overall 3.0 GPA is required.