The University of Georgia offers a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence through the Institute for Artificial Intelligence, an interdisciplinary unit in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.
The 30-credit, campus-based program combines machine learning and core AI coursework with logic, philosophy, linguistics, and psychology. Every student writes and defends a research thesis.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Facts
| Degree | MS in Artificial Intelligence |
| School | Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences |
| Location | Athens, Georgia |
| Format | Campus-based, full time |
| Credits | 30 |
| Culminating Experience | Thesis (required) |
| GPA | No formal minimum; 3.0 expected |
| GRE | Required |
| Fall Deadline | July 1 (April 15 international) |
| Spring Deadline | November 15 (October 15 international) |
| Typical Length | 2 years |
Official MS in Artificial Intelligence page
Curriculum
UGA has offered this degree since 1987. It has no concentrations. Instead, students combine a short required core with two groups of electives and a thesis.
Students complete at least 30 graduate credits consisting of:
- 11 credits of required courses
- 8 credits of Group A electives in core and use-inspired AI
- 6 credits of Group B electives on the human and artificial mind
- At least 3 credits of thesis, with remaining credits from research or additional coursework
First-year students also take a 1-credit graduate seminar that sits outside the 30 credits.
Required Courses
- CSCI(ARTI) 6550 – Artificial Intelligence
- CSCI 6380 – Data Mining or CSCI(ARTI) 8950 – Machine Learning
- PHIL(LING) 6510 – Deductive Systems
- ARTI 6950 – Faculty Research Seminar
Group A: Core and Use-Inspired AI
Students choose 8 credits. Machine learning options include:
- CSCI(ARTI) 8950 – Machine Learning
- CSCI 8945 – Advanced Representation Learning
- CSCI 8265 – Trustworthy Machine Learning
- CSCI(ARTI) 6600 – Reinforcement Learning
- CSCI 8820 – Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
- CSCI 8920 – Decision Making Under Uncertainty
- LING 6570 – Natural Language Processing
The group also includes applied courses such as GEOG 6591 – Introduction to Geospatial AI and GEOG 8350 – Machine Learning with Geospatial Big Data, along with robotics, data science, and biomedical informatics courses.
Group B: Human and Artificial Mind
Students choose 6 credits from courses in ethics, philosophy, psychology, and linguistics. Options include:
- ARTI(PHIL) 6340 – Ethics and AI
- PHIL 6310 – Philosophy of Mind
- PSYC 6100 – Cognitive Psychology
- PSYC 8240 – Judgment and Decision Making
Thesis and Oral Examination
There is no non-thesis option. Students complete a written thesis under ARTI 7300 and defend it orally. They may write a traditional research thesis or a manuscript-style thesis built on peer-reviewed papers.
Students also sit a separate oral examination on their program of study, conducted by a three-member advisory committee.
Cost and Tuition
UGA charges this program the standard graduate tuition rate, which depends on residency and credit load.
For the 2026–27 academic year, the Bursar lists:
| Residency | Per Credit Hour (1–11 hours) | Flat Rate per Semester (12+ hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia resident | $431 | $5,172 |
| Nonresident | $1,326 | $15,912 |
Mandatory student fees on the Athens campus add $747 per semester. International students are also assessed health insurance.
The Institute offers a limited number of assistantships that reduce tuition and pay a monthly stipend. Funding decisions are made in spring for the following academic year, so applicants who want to be considered should apply well ahead of the fall deadline.
Admission Requirements
The program does not require a specific undergraduate major or a prior computer science degree. UGA lists computer science, psychology, philosophy, linguistics, logic, and engineering as relevant preparation.
Background in computing, mathematics, or quantitative methods is strongly recommended. Applicants need to show they can handle graduate-level computer science courses.
There is no formal minimum GPA, though the Institute has historically not admitted applicants below a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Application Materials
Applicants submit:
- Graduate School application and application fee
- GRE scores
- three letters of recommendation
- statement of purpose
- sample of scholarly writing in English
- resume or CV
- proof of English proficiency when required
The GRE is required and cannot be waived. UGA does not publish a minimum score.
Application Deadlines
The Institute follows the UGA Graduate School deadlines.
| Entry Term | Domestic Deadline | International Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | July 1 | April 15 |
| Spring | November 15 | October 15 |
The Institute generally does not admit students for summer.
Program Format
The MS in Artificial Intelligence is offered in person on UGA’s Athens campus. The Institute states that it makes no special provisions for part-time, online, or off-campus students.
The program is designed to take two years. Students finish coursework by the end of the third semester and defend the thesis by the end of the fourth.
UGA reports the program under CIP code 11.0102 (Artificial Intelligence), which appears on the federal STEM Designated Degree Program List. International students should confirm eligibility for their own situation.
Current UGA undergraduates can also reach the degree through Double Dawgs pathways that pair it with a BS in Computer Science or an AB in Cognitive Science.
Who Is This Program Best For?
UGA’s MS in Artificial Intelligence is a strong option for students who want a research-oriented AI degree with a broader intellectual frame than a typical computer science master’s.
It may be especially appealing to students interested in:
- machine learning and representation learning
- reinforcement learning
- natural language processing
- logic and knowledge representation
- AI ethics and cognitive science
- thesis research or doctoral study
- entering AI from a non-computer-science background
The thesis, oral examination, and GRE are all mandatory, and the program runs full time on campus. Students who want a coursework-only, part-time, or online degree may want to compare other Georgia programs.
Official University of Georgia Program Links
- MS in Artificial Intelligence program page
- UGA Bulletin entry
- Admissions FAQ
- Graduate School application deadlines
- UGA tuition and fees
Related Machine Learning Programs in Georgia
Students can also compare University of Georgia with other master’s programs in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related fields offered in Georgia.
- Emory University – Atlanta
- Georgia Institute of Technology – Atlanta
- Georgia Southern University – Statesboro
- Georgia State University – Atlanta
- Kennesaw State University – Kennesaw
- Mercer University – Online