WSU Launches Master's Degree Program in Artificial Intelligence

A new master’s degree program in artificial intelligence (AI) is set to begin at Washington State University this fall, aiming to equip students with the high-demand skills needed for industry jobs. The program will be offered through WSU’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), providing students with a comprehensive education in AI and machine learning.

The new degree program is designed to meet the growing need for professionals who can apply AI theories, models, and techniques in various fields. Students will learn how to design, develop, implement, and evaluate AI algorithms, as well as understand the standards required to work in industry as an AI professional.

According to Jana Doppa, Huie-Rogers Endowed Chair Professor of Computer Science leading curriculum development, artificial intelligence shares many foundational topics with computer science. The program will draw on some of these shared courses while providing advanced training in AI and machine learning topics that span from theory and fundamentals to practical application across various disciplines.

The degree is intended for students who want to enhance their skills in AI for employment opportunities or those preparing for PhD-level research in the field. Doppa notes that AI tools play a critical role in many real-world engineering, science, and industrial domains, such as health informatics, environmental monitoring, physics, chemistry, additive manufacturing, bioinformatics, and cybersecurity.

WSU’s School of EECS has a strong faculty presence conducting cutting-edge research in AI and applied areas. The school is particularly well-known for its work in trustworthy AI, generative AI, reinforcement learning, and interdisciplinary applications such as the agriculture-focused AI Institute for Transforming Workforce and Decision Support institute.

The new program will require either 30 or 33 credits, depending on whether students pursue a thesis or final project. It includes required core courses in AI, machine learning, and neural network design; advanced topics like computer vision and generative AI; and six credits of electives. Students entering the program are expected to have completed calculus, linear algebra, statistics with a basic foundation in computing and programming.

The degree will appeal to both students interested in foundational research in AI as well as those who want to apply AI across various disciplines. Doppa notes that the program offers opportunities for specialization in domains such as AI for agriculture, energy, semiconductors, or cybersecurity, allowing students to formalize real-world problems and articulate the best-suited AI framework.

The new degree is also of interest to industry leaders, with WSU aiming to establish partnerships on projects. This will provide students with hands-on experience and training in a real-world setting. Companies are interested in introducing AI literacy modules as part of their existing work environments for professional development, according to Ananth Kalyanaraman, school director.

Industry partners see the new degree program as an opportunity for employees to upskill in machine learning jobs that are increasingly in demand. The school aims to have industry sponsorships and internship opportunities available to students pursuing their master’s degree. This collaboration will enable faculty to build a program that incorporates evolving industry needs in AI, making it more relevant and impactful.

The School of EECS has a critical mass of faculty conducting research in AI and applied areas, with strengths in interdisciplinary applications such as the agriculture-focused institute. The school is ranked among the top computer science programs in design automation, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence, further emphasizing its expertise in these fields.