Westcliff University MS in Artificial Intelligence

The Westcliff University Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence is a 36-credit graduate degree with direct training in machine learning, deep learning, data science, AI programming, natural language processing, and responsible AI. Westcliff lists a standard completion time of two years and offers the program online, on campus in Irvine, and in hybrid formats.

Quick Facts

SchoolWestcliff University
LocationIrvine, California
DegreeM.S. in Artificial Intelligence
Credits36
FormatOnline / Campus / Hybrid
Length2 years
Estimated Tuition & FeesAbout $19,580–$21,620 over 2 years, based on 2025–26 annual figures
AI / ML FocusHigh: machine learning, deep learning, NLP, data science, AI programming, capstone

Curriculum

Westcliff requires 36 credits for the standard MSAI. The university’s current program page confirms the credit total and describes study in machine learning, deep learning, robotics, fuzzy logic, data science, big data analytics, and ethical AI. A prior version of Westcliff’s official MSAI page provides the detailed 36-credit AI course sequence below. The current live page appears to contain an unrelated Information Systems and Technology course table, so applicants should confirm the latest course sequence with Westcliff before enrolling.

  • AIT 500: Concepts of Artificial Intelligence
  • AIT 550: Advanced Mathematical Methods for AI
  • AIT 506: Machine Learning
  • AIT 515: Introduction to Data Science
  • AIT 508: Advanced AI Programming and Frameworks
  • AIT 556: Advanced Machine Learning Techniques
  • AIT 509: Natural Language Processing
  • CAP 690: Masters Applied Capstone

The remaining focus coursework expands the program beyond introductory AI and machine learning. Westcliff states that students progress from AI foundations into specialized applications and finish with an applied capstone.

Credits and Program Length

Students in the standard program must complete 36 prescribed credit hours and maintain a 3.0 program GPA to graduate. Westcliff states that the standard MSAI is designed to take two years, although individual completion times can vary.

Westcliff also offers an ACHIEVE pathway for some applicants who enter with a 2.0–2.49 GPA or without a technology-focused bachelor’s degree. That pathway may add bridge requirements, so its credit total can differ from the standard 36-credit degree.

Tuition and Cost

Westcliff’s tuition and fees information and 2025–26 Cost of Attendance document list annual tuition and fees of $10,414 for on-campus master’s students, $9,790 for off-campus master’s students, and $10,810 for the professional format. Westcliff bases its Cost of Attendance budget on a full-time, eight-month academic year.

Using Westcliff’s stated two-year program length, that produces a planning estimate of about $19,580 to $21,620 in tuition and fees for two academic years, depending on format. This is an estimate rather than a university-published total MSAI price. It does not include books, housing, food, transportation, or personal expenses, and future tuition rates can change.

Admissions

Westcliff’s MSAI admission requirements are aimed primarily at applicants with technical undergraduate preparation. Standard admission calls for a bachelor’s degree in information technology, engineering, computer science, or a related field from an accredited or recognized institution with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA.

Applicants with a cumulative GPA from 2.0 to 2.49, or applicants without a technology-focused Bachelor of Science degree, may be eligible for Westcliff’s ACHIEVE version of the MSAI. International and English-language requirements can vary by applicant, so students should review Westcliff’s current admissions rules before applying.

Machine Learning and AI Focus

This degree has a very strong fit for students comparing machine learning and AI master’s programs. Artificial intelligence is the core subject of the degree rather than an elective concentration. Westcliff identifies machine learning, advanced machine learning, deep learning, data science, robotics, fuzzy logic, AI programming, and ethical AI among the program’s areas of study.

The program also connects technical AI work with applied problem-solving. Westcliff’s learning outcomes emphasize evaluating AI techniques, solving real-world problems, communicating AI findings, and considering responsible development and deployment.

Online, Hybrid, and Campus Formats

Westcliff lists the MSAI in online, on-campus, and hybrid formats. This flexibility separates it from California AI master’s programs that require full-time campus attendance. Students should verify which course sections and start dates are available in their preferred format for the term in which they plan to enroll.

Practical Experience and Capstone

The MSAI includes a Practical Learning Experience (PLE) graduation requirement. Westcliff says students can satisfy it through at least one credit-bearing internship course assessed on a Credit/No Credit basis. The academic program also culminates in a master’s applied capstone, giving students a structured opportunity to apply AI methods to a larger project.

Who Is This Program Best For?

Westcliff is worth considering for students who want a dedicated AI master’s with several delivery choices and a two-year schedule. The program is especially relevant for applicants who want direct coursework in machine learning and related AI methods without enrolling in a broader general computer science master’s degree. The ACHIEVE pathway may also make the program useful for career changers who need additional preparation before entering the standard graduate sequence.

Bottom Line

Westcliff University’s M.S. in Artificial Intelligence is a strong match for this site. The standard degree requires 36 credits, takes about two years, and is available online, on campus, and in hybrid formats. Its curriculum places machine learning and AI at the center of the degree and includes practical experience plus a capstone. Based on Westcliff’s 2025–26 annual tuition and fee figures, students can use roughly $19,580–$21,620 as a two-year planning estimate before books and living expenses.