Colorado State University Global offers a 100% online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for students who want advanced training in AI, machine learning, programming, algorithms, and computer vision.
The 30-credit program uses asynchronous eight-week courses and offers a new start date each month. Students can complete the degree without visiting a campus, making it a strong option for working professionals and students who need a flexible online format.
Quick Facts
| Degree | Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning |
| School | Colorado State University Global |
| Format | 100% online and asynchronous |
| Credits | 30 |
| Cost Per Credit | $675 |
| Estimated Tuition | $20,250 |
| Course Length | 8 weeks |
| Start Dates | 12 per year |
| Transfer Credits | Up to 15 |
| Institutional Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission |
CSU Global charges the same tuition regardless of residency and states that students pay no additional student fees. The university also provides a tuition guarantee that locks in the tuition rate after enrollment.
Program Overview
The MS in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning combines computer science foundations with focused study of AI and machine learning.
Students begin with subjects such as programming, software development, algorithms, operating systems, and technical management before moving into artificial intelligence, computer vision, machine learning, and neural networks.
The curriculum is especially relevant for students who want to develop technical AI systems rather than study AI primarily from a business or management perspective.
Students learn to:
- apply artificial intelligence methods to technical problems
- use machine learning methods to develop solutions
- evaluate AI and machine learning applications
- work with computer vision and image-processing techniques
- combine AI and machine learning methods within larger systems
- develop skills with Python and deep-learning tools such as TensorFlow
The degree concludes with a capstone focused on applying machine learning and neural network concepts.
Curriculum
The 30-credit degree consists of 10 three-credit courses.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| CSC500 | Principles of Programming |
| CSC501 | Management for the Computer Science Professional |
| CSC502 | Ethical Leadership in Software Development |
| CSC505 | Principles of Software Development |
| CSC506 | Design and Analysis of Algorithms |
| CSC507 | Foundations of Operating Systems |
| CSC510 | Foundations of Artificial Intelligence |
| CSC515 | Foundations of Computer Vision |
| CSC525 | Principles of Machine Learning |
| CSC580 | Capstone: Applying Machine Learning and Neural Networks |
Machine Learning Coursework
CSC525 – Principles of Machine Learning covers supervised and unsupervised learning, learning theory, reinforcement learning, and adaptive control. Students also examine machine learning applications in data mining, natural language processing, human-computer interaction, and computer vision.
CSC580 – Capstone: Applying Machine Learning and Neural Networks brings the program together through the study and application of neural networks and learning algorithms. Topics include feedforward networks, perceptrons, propagation, and self-organizing networks.
The curriculum also includes CSC510 – Foundations of Artificial Intelligence and CSC515 – Foundations of Computer Vision, giving students broader AI training beyond machine learning alone.
Online Format
The program is offered entirely online.
Courses run in eight-week terms and are asynchronous, so students do not need to attend regularly scheduled live classes. CSU Global offers 12 start dates each year, with a new term beginning each month.
This structure makes the program particularly suitable for students who plan to continue working while earning their degree.
Students may also transfer up to 15 credits, subject to CSU Global’s transfer policies.
Tuition and Cost
CSU Global lists tuition for the program at $675 per credit.
For the standard 30-credit degree:
30 credits × $675 = $20,250 estimated tuition
CSU Global does not charge higher tuition to out-of-state students and states that there are no additional student fees. The university’s tuition guarantee also prevents the tuition rate from increasing after a student enrolls.
Students who need an additional prerequisite or research course may have a higher total cost.
Admission Requirements
The program is intended for students with a quantitative or technical background.
Applicants are expected to have completed advanced coursework in:
- Discrete Mathematics
- Probability and Statistics
Applicants who have not completed these prerequisites may seek admission with approval from the program chair. They may then be required to complete:
- MTH350 – Discrete Mathematics
- MIS446 – Statistics for Data Analytics Using R
Students completing prerequisite coursework after admission must finish it within 12 months of starting the program and maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Students entering with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 may also be required to complete RES500 – Fundamentals of Quantitative Analysis. In that case, the degree increases from 30 to 33 credits.
Who Is This Program Best For?
CSU Global’s program is a good match for students who want a fully online technical AI and machine learning degree with predictable tuition and flexible scheduling.
It may be especially attractive if you:
- need a fully asynchronous program
- want dedicated courses in both AI and machine learning
- want exposure to computer vision and neural networks
- plan to continue working while completing your degree
- prefer frequent start dates rather than a traditional semester schedule
- already have a background in programming, mathematics, computer science, or another quantitative field
Students looking for a research-intensive degree or an on-campus graduate experience may want to compare CSU Global with other machine learning and AI programs in Colorado.
Career Paths
The curriculum can support preparation for technical roles involving artificial intelligence, machine learning, software development, and computational systems.
Potential career paths include:
- Machine Learning Engineer
- AI Engineer
- Machine Learning Scientist
- AI Scientist
- Software Developer
- Computational Scientist
- Machine Learning Data Developer
The program’s mix of programming, algorithms, AI, machine learning, computer vision, and neural networks provides a broad technical foundation rather than concentrating on one narrow area of machine learning.
Accreditation
Colorado State University Global is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Institutional accreditation applies to CSU Global as a university rather than specifically to the MS in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
Is CSU Global’s AI and Machine Learning Master’s Worth Considering?
CSU Global stands out for its combination of online flexibility, relatively straightforward pricing, and dedicated AI and machine learning coursework.
At the current published rate, the standard 30-credit degree has an estimated tuition cost of $20,250, with no out-of-state tuition premium or additional student fees. Courses are asynchronous, terms last eight weeks, and students have 12 opportunities to start each year.
The curriculum is also more technical than the program name alone might suggest. Students complete coursework in programming, software development, algorithms, operating systems, artificial intelligence, computer vision, machine learning, and neural networks.
For students who want a fully online AI and machine learning master’s degree while continuing to work, CSU Global deserves consideration.
Learn More
Visit the Colorado State University Global Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning program page for current tuition, admissions requirements, course information, and application details.
Students comparing schools can also view our Colorado machine learning master’s programs guide to see other options available in the state.
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