By Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer, Coursera

I am thrilled to reveal a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MS-AI) offered by the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder), marking the university’s fifth degree available on Coursera.

As the need for AI professionals escalates, this degree provides individuals the opportunity to enhance their AI knowledge while obtaining a credential that differentiates them in a competitive employment landscape. Nearly one out of four technology positions in the U.S. demand AI capabilities, and these positions offer salaries up to 25% higher.

“In a world increasingly managed by intelligent systems, expertise in AI will differentiate those who keep pace from those who lead. A master’s in artificial intelligence will equip students to develop ethical and responsible machine learning solutions that function across various platforms — including healthcare, finance, social media, and robotics. It encompasses more than just technical abilities; it represents a commitment to designing AI that enhances human capabilities,” stated Kevin Gifford, CU Boulder’s Faculty Director for the MS-AI/MS-CS programs on Coursera.

Tailored for working professionals, the MS-AI program prioritizes accessibility, adaptability, and industry-relevant education:

Accessible

• This program is tailored for those with a robust foundation in computer science — no undergraduate degree, prerequisites, or application needed. Students get admitted by enrolling and achieving a grade of B or above in a three-course sequence in machine learning or statistical learning.
• The total cost of the degree is $15,750, with all CU Boulder degrees on Coursera priced at around $20,000 or less.

Flexible

• Students have the option to start at any time by enrolling in CU Boulder’s Computing, Ethics, and Society Specialization*, earning a graduate certificate along the journey, and can complete the program in as little as 12 months or over eight years. 
• Courses are asynchronous, allowing opportunities for interaction during live sessions and office hours.

Industry-relevant education

• The interdisciplinary syllabus integrates computer science, data science, engineering, and ethics — merging technical expertise with social accountability.
• Through theoretical knowledge and practical application, students delve into essential AI principles, such as neural networks, deep learning, and reinforcement learning, while establishing the mathematical base essential for creating and optimizing scalable machine learning models.
• Graduates will be prepared for positions like Chief AI Officer, AI Manager, or AI Engineer and can refine their skills with electives in natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics.

We are privileged to collaborate with CU Boulder, the forerunners of performance-based admission degrees on Coursera, to dismantle obstacles and broaden accessibility for those who aspire to influence the technological future.

Enrollment for the MS-AI program opens on August 20, with classes commencing on August 25. For more information or to get started, visit https://www.coursera.org/degrees/ms-artificial-intelligence-boulder.

*To receive credit, students must complete additional graded tasks, accessible upon tuition payment.

The post CU Boulder announces AI master’s degree on Coursera for under $16,000 — no application required first appeared on Coursera Blog.