Boston University offers a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence through the Department of Computer Science in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.
The 32-unit program is taught on campus in Boston and consists of eight courses. Machine learning, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and image and video computing are all required, and the remaining four courses are electives. A master’s project or thesis is optional.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Facts
| Degree | MS in Artificial Intelligence |
| School | Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Department of Computer Science |
| Location | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Format | Campus |
| Credits | 32 units (eight courses) |
| Culminating Experience | None required; optional master’s project or thesis |
| Minimum GPA | No minimum; 3.0 or higher recommended |
| GRE | Not required |
| Tuition | $36,512 per full-time semester or $2,282 per credit part time (2026–27) |
| Application Deadlines | January 15 (priority), March 15 (regular); fall entry only |
| Typical Length | Two to three semesters |
Official MS in Artificial Intelligence page
Curriculum
The Department of Computer Science describes the degree as focused on machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing. It is a separate program from the department’s MS in Computer Science and does not carry that degree’s software, systems, and theory breadth requirement.
Students complete 32 graduate units, eight 4-unit courses, consisting of:
- 16 units of core courses, four required courses
- 16 units of electives, four courses, at least one of them from a short list of data courses
Core Courses
- CAS CS 505 – Introduction to Natural Language Processing
- CAS CS 542 – Principles of Machine Learning
- CAS CS 585 – Image and Video Computing
- CAS CS 640 – Artificial Intelligence
A student who has already taken the equivalent of a core course may replace it with an elective, with the approval of an advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies.
Data Elective (List A)
Students take at least one course from:
- CAS CS 504 – Data Mechanics
- CAS CS 506 – Data Science Tools and Applications
- CAS CS 562 – Advanced Database Applications
- CAS CS 565 – Algorithmic Data Mining
- CAS CS 660 – Graduate Introduction to Database Systems
Other Electives
The remaining electives are chosen with an advisor. They may come from the list above, from any computer science course numbered 500 or higher, or from AI-related courses in other departments with the permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Current computer science courses relevant to machine learning include:
- CAS CS 523 – Deep Learning
- CAS CS 541 – Applied Machine Learning
- CAS CS 543 – Algorithmic Techniques for Taming Big Data
- CAS CS 549 – Spark! Machine Learning X-Lab Practicum
- CAS CS 531 – Advanced Optimization Algorithms
Deep learning is an elective, not a core course, although the department’s sample study plans include CAS CS 523. Courses outside the department that the program page names as examples include GRS MA 751 – Statistical Machine Learning and ENG EC 503 – Introduction to Learning from Data.
Optional Project or Thesis
A master’s project or thesis is not required. Students who want one work under the supervision of a faculty member, usually through a directed study. A project can be expanded into a thesis, which requires two faculty readers.
Cost and Tuition
Boston University is a private university and charges the same tuition to Massachusetts residents and nonresidents. Full-time students pay a flat rate per semester, and part-time students pay by the credit.
For the 2026–27 academic year, the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences lists these master’s rates:
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Full-time tuition (12 to 18 credits) | $36,512 per semester |
| Part-time tuition (fewer than 12 credits) | $2,282 per credit |
| Student Services Fee, full time | $229 per semester |
| Health & Wellness Fee, full time | $295 per semester |
| Student Services Fee, part time | $75 per semester |
A student who completes the eight courses in two full-time semesters pays about $73,024 in tuition and $1,048 in mandatory fees. Students who take a third semester pay more, and the amount depends on how many credits remain.
Students who are required to carry health insurance are enrolled in the university’s plan, listed at $4,054 per year, unless they submit a waiver.
All admitted students are considered automatically for merit scholarships, which the department lists at $5,000 to $30,000. Recipients must study full time and keep a 3.0 GPA. Rates can change each year.
View Boston University master’s tuition and mandatory fees
Admission Requirements
The program is designed for applicants with a strong computer science background. Most applicants hold an undergraduate degree in computer science, and applicants with equivalent training or experience are also considered.
The department expects preparation in:
- algorithms
- computer systems
- programming languages
- theory of computation
Applicants who lack one or two of these areas may be admitted with prerequisite courses.
There is no minimum GPA. The department recommends a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Application Materials
Applicants submit:
- online application through the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences and $95 application fee
- unofficial transcripts from each institution attended
- personal statement
- two letters of recommendation
- resume or CV
- proof of English proficiency when required
The GRE is not required. Scores are optional and are considered if submitted. Official transcripts are needed only after an applicant is admitted and accepts the offer.
For international applicants, the graduate school recommends a TOEFL iBT score of 100 (5.0 on the scale used from January 2026), an IELTS score of 7.0, or a Duolingo score of 130.
Application Deadlines
The program admits students for the fall semester only.
| Entry Term | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall (priority, first-round review) | January 15 |
| Fall (regular) | March 15 |
International applicants are encouraged to apply by January 15. The department states that applications received after March 15 are considered only if space is available.
Program Format
The MS in Artificial Intelligence is taught in person on the Boston campus. It is not offered online.
The degree can be completed in two semesters by taking four courses each term. The department reports that the average student finishes in three semesters.
International students on a visa must enroll full time, except in their final semester.
The same department offers a separate online MS in Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence. That degree is 30 credits, part time, and fully online, with a fixed total tuition of $25,000 and fall and spring starts.
Who Is This Program Best For?
Boston University’s MS in Artificial Intelligence is a strong option for computer science graduates who want a short, full-time AI degree on campus in Boston.
It may be especially appealing to students interested in:
- machine learning as a required course
- natural language processing
- computer vision
- deep learning and applied machine learning electives
- an optional research project or thesis
- finishing in two or three semesters with no GRE
The program assumes a computer science background, admits for fall only, is not offered online, and costs about $73,000 in tuition even on the two-semester plan. Students changing careers from another field, students who need part-time or online study, or students looking for lower tuition may want to compare other Massachusetts schools or the university’s online MS in Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence.
Official Boston University Program Links
- MS in Artificial Intelligence program page
- Bulletin entry
- On-campus MS admissions
- MS admissions FAQ
- Application requirements and deadlines
- International applicants
- Tuition and mandatory fees
- Online MS in Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence
Related Machine Learning Programs in Massachusetts
Students can also compare Boston University with other master’s programs in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related fields offered in Massachusetts.
- Boston College – Chestnut Hill
- Brandeis University – Waltham
- Clark University – Worcester
- Fitchburg State University – Fitchburg
- Harvard University – Cambridge
- Northeastern University – Boston
- Tufts University – Medford
- University of Massachusetts Amherst – Amherst
- University of Massachusetts Lowell – Lowell
- Wentworth Institute of Technology – Boston
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester