Online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence
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There is no application fee for this program
Master Applied AI in a World-Class Program
Columbia Engineering’s online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI) is designed for technical experts ready to lead complex AI work. The program’s high technical standards bring together a select cohort of experienced technology and quantitative professionals.
Advanced coursework builds on that shared foundation. Students learn from Columbia faculty working at the forefront of AI research and application.
You can focus your studies through one of three concentrations:
- AI in Finance & Operations
- AI Infrastructure
- AI and Advanced Computing.
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The online MSAI offers the same academic rigor as Columbia Engineering’s on-campus programs. Its interdisciplinary curriculum draws on expertise from across Columbia Engineering’s academic departments. Graduates join Columbia’s global alumni network and become part of a university rooted in New York City’s growing AI ecosystem.
See why Columbia Engineering is leading the future of AI.
Upcoming Dates
Spring 2027 Deadlines
Early application deadline: Dec. 1, 2026
Regular application deadline: Jan. 8, 2027
Fall 2027 Deadlines
Early application deadline: June 15, 2027
Regular application deadline: Aug 17, 2027
There is no application fee for this program
Request Information
Ready to learn more? Let us help you advance closer to your long-term career goals.
All form fields required.
Online MS in Artificial Intelligence
Columbia Engineering designed the MSAI for those with technical expertise who want to pivot into AI-focused roles. Because of the high technical bar for admission, you move through the program with a cohort of equally advanced, experienced peers.
Students in the MSAI program take four core courses and at least four electives. Students may also pursue a six-credit capstone project that pairs them with a faculty mentor and involves finding solutions to a challenge faced by an industry partner. The project begins with a focus on project management, team formation, and problem identification before challenging you with iterative development, rigorous testing, and final evaluation of your solution.
There are two program start dates per year, in the fall and spring. In addition to technical courses, you learn about AI-related ethical, security and governance issues.
Courses
Why Pursue an Online MSAI From Columbia Engineering?
Columbia Engineering’s online MSAI program connects technically advanced professionals with expert faculty working at the frontier of AI research and application.
Study With Experienced Peers
Applicants must demonstrate a strong foundation in Python coding, linear algebra, calculus and data structures for admission to the program. This high standard ensures a talented peer group that enriches classroom discussion, drives meaningful collaboration and maximizes networking value.
Learn From Faculty Advancing AI
Columbia faculty include top-tier researchers and industry veterans whose expertise spans machine learning, robotics and the application of AI to real-world enterprises.
Apply What You Learn
An optional, six-credit capstone pairs you with a faculty mentor to address a complex challenge.
Connect With Columbia and New York City
Join Columbia’s alumni network and connect with New York City industries applying AI in finance, healthcare, media, law and more.
Earn Your Degree While Working
Complete the online program part-time in five terms.
Learn From Faculty Working at the Frontiers of AI
Columbia Engineering faculty bring active research, policy leadership and industry perspectives to the online MSAI program. Their work spans ethics, robotics, language technology and applications in science and medicine. Online MSAI students learn from the same faculty as on-campus students. The four faculty members below illustrate the breadth of expertise at Columbia Engineering.
Julia B. Hirschberg:
Percy K. and Vida L. W. Hudson Professor of Computer Science. She is a globally recognized leader in natural language processing and holds six patents for text-to-speech synthesis and audio browsing/retrieval. She focuses on prosody (the intonation and melody of speech) with the goal of teaching computers how to reproduce natural-sounding human speech.
Ansaf Salleb-Aouissi:
Senior Lecturer in the Discipline of Computer Science. Her teaching and research focus on AI and its applications in medicine, science and education. She recently founded a non-profit organization to disseminate free AI education to teens and pre-college students.
Tony Dear:
Senior Lecturer in Computer Science. His research focuses on AI, machine learning and robotics, and he is the faculty director of the CS@CU MS Bridge Program in Computer Science.
Richard Zemel:
Trianthe Dakolias Professor of Engineering and Applied Science; Professor of Computer Science. His recent research targets learning with few labels and creating robust and controllable machine learning systems. He is also director of the NSF Institute for Artificial and Natural Intelligence based at Columbia.
Career Outlook in AI
With the rapid growth in the use of AI, MS in Artificial Intelligence graduates have many opportunities to use their degree. Potential careers with an MSAI include:
- Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (AI/ML) Engineer
- AI Applied Scientist
- AI Research Scientist
- Robotics Engineer
- Computer Vision Engineer
- AI Operations Lead (MLOps)
- NLP (Natural Language
Processing) Specialist - AI Architect
- AI Product Manager
- Quantitative Analyst (AI/ML)
- AI Ethicist / Governance Specialist
- Data Scientist, AI Focus
- Fraud Detection Analyst (AI)
- Risk Analytics Manager (AI)
- Fintech AI Engineer
- HealthTech AI Specialist
- AI Consultant
- AI Software Developer
- Generative AI Engineer
- AI Technical Lead
Build Your Future in AI With Columbia Engineering
Columbia Engineering’s online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence is built for technically proficient professionals ready to deepen their expertise and lead where AI meets ethics, security, and society. The program focuses on practical application and sharpening the skills to design, evaluate, and deploy responsible AI at scale. You also tap into the strength of the Columbia Engineering network. That includes an unparalleled connection to key New York City industries that are high adopters of AI, including fintech, healthcare, media, law, and policy.
Request more information to explore program details, admissions requirements, and how the online MSAI can help you become part of the next generation of AI leadership.
“[Columbia’s] courses are full of smart people and you have to really work hard to get a decent grade. Going through the motions of staying disciplined, working hard, and so on, it prepares you for pretty much everything in life.”
— Apoorv Agarwal, MS’09, PhD’16