University of Texas at El Paso MS in Artificial Intelligence

The University of Texas at El Paso Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence is a 30-credit campus program for students who want focused training in AI, machine learning, and deep learning. The Department of Computer Science offers both thesis and practicum paths.

Students complete four named AI core courses and choose advanced computer science electives with advisor approval. The program is a clear fit for students preparing for roles such as machine learning engineer, data scientist, or AI solutions architect.

UTEP MS in Artificial Intelligence Quick Facts

SchoolUniversity of Texas at El Paso
LocationEl Paso, Texas
DegreeMaster of Science in Artificial Intelligence
Credits30
FormatCampus
Estimated tuition and fees$12,827 Texas resident; $29,217 nonresident
Estimated lengthAbout 1.5 to 2 years
Completion optionsThesis or practicum

Curriculum

The official UTEP degree plan requires 30 credits. Every student completes four required AI courses:

CS 5314 Decision Making

CS 5355 Integrated Problem Solving for AI

CS 5361 Machine Learning

CS 5365 Deep Learning

These courses cover intelligent decision systems, integrated approaches to AI problems, machine learning methods, and deep neural networks. Students then use computer science electives to shape the degree around interests such as computer vision, cybersecurity, natural language processing, or other approved areas.

Thesis and Practicum Options

The thesis path includes six thesis credits through CS 5398 and CS 5399, plus 12 credits of 5000-level computer science electives. This option suits students who want to complete original research or prepare for doctoral study.

The practicum path includes the three-credit CS 5389 Software Engineering Practicum and 15 credits of approved computer science electives. This path places more weight on applied work and gives students one additional elective.

Learn more on the official program page.

Credits and Program Length

The degree requires 30 credits. UTEP does not list a fixed completion schedule on the program or catalog pages. A student taking nine credits in fall and spring can reasonably plan for about 1.5 to 2 years, depending on course availability, summer enrollment, and the thesis or practicum schedule. This is a planning estimate rather than a guaranteed completion time.

Tuition and Cost

UTEP lists 2025-26 tuition and fees of $7,696 per academic year for a full-time Texas resident graduate student and $17,530 for a full-time nonresident graduate student in the “All Other Graduates” category. UTEP defines full-time graduate study as at least nine credits per semester.

Prorating those annual figures across the 30-credit program produces an estimated tuition-and-fee total of about $12,827 for Texas residents and $29,217 for nonresidents. This estimate includes the tuition and fees used in UTEP’s current cost-of-attendance budget, but it excludes books, housing, transportation, and other personal costs. Actual charges can vary by semester and course load. Review UTEP’s current graduate cost information before enrolling.

Admissions

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and apply through the UTEP Graduate School. The catalog admissions requirements call for official transcripts, a statement of purpose, at least two recommendation letters, and a CV or resume. The GRE is optional.

Applicants must show preparation in programming, data structures, algorithms, probability, and statistics. UTEP may require undergraduate leveling courses when an applicant lacks this background. Leveling courses do not count toward the 30-credit degree.

Machine Learning and AI Focus

This is a dedicated AI degree rather than a general computer science program with a single AI elective. Machine learning and deep learning are required, and the program also covers decision making and integrated AI problem solving. UTEP highlights applications in medical computer vision, cybersecurity, national defense, and domain-specific large language models.

The flexible elective requirement lets students build more depth in a chosen technical area. Thesis students can investigate a focused research question, while practicum students can apply AI methods in a software engineering project.

Campus Format

UTEP presents the MS in Artificial Intelligence as a campus program in El Paso. The university does not identify the degree as fully online. Students who need remote study should confirm current course delivery with the Department of Computer Science before applying.

Who Is This Program Best For?

The UTEP program fits students with a solid programming and mathematics foundation who want a focused, affordable public-university AI degree. The thesis option is useful for research and doctoral preparation. The practicum option is better suited to students who want applied project experience and additional elective flexibility.

Bottom Line

UTEP offers a focused 30-credit MS in Artificial Intelligence with required machine learning and deep learning courses, a choice between thesis and practicum work, and a relatively low estimated resident cost. The program stands out for students who want direct AI training on campus and value the ability to choose between research and applied study.