DePaul University offers a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence through the Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media in Chicago.
The degree requires 48 quarter credit hours and is available on campus and online. Machine Learning I, Applied Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing, and two artificial intelligence courses are all required, and students finish with a capstone, research project, or internship.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Facts
| Degree | MS in Artificial Intelligence |
| School | Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media |
| Location | Chicago, Illinois or Online |
| Format | Campus or online |
| Credits | 48 quarter hours, plus up to 24 quarter hours of introductory courses if needed |
| Culminating Experience | Capstone, master’s research, or internship |
| Minimum GPA | 2.5 |
| GRE | Not required |
| Fall Deadline | August 1 |
| Winter Deadline | December 1 |
| Spring Deadline | March 1 |
| Summer Deadline | May 1 |
| STEM Designated | Yes |
Official MS in Artificial Intelligence page
Curriculum
DePaul uses a quarter calendar, so credits are counted in quarter hours and most courses carry 4 quarter hours. The catalog describes the degree as covering machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, robotics, and cognitive science.
Students complete 48 quarter hours consisting of:
- 32 quarter hours of required courses
- 8 quarter hours of major electives
- 4 quarter hours of open elective
- 4 quarter hours of capstone
Introductory Courses
Students who lack the background take up to six introductory courses, which do not count toward the 48 quarter hours:
- CSC 400 – Discrete Structures for Computer Science
- CSC 401 – Introduction to Programming
- CSC 402 – Data Structures I
- CSC 403 – Data Structures II
- CSC 412 – Tools and Techniques for Computational Analysis
- IT 403 – Statistics and Data Analysis
Each one can be waived through prior coursework, verified professional experience, or a Graduate Assessment Examination where one is offered. Waivers are decided after admission.
Required Courses
- DSC 445 – Machine Learning I
- CSC 483 – Applied Deep Learning
- CSC 480 – Artificial Intelligence I
- CSC 580 – Artificial Intelligence II
- CSC 583 – Natural Language Processing
- CSC 587 – Cognitive Science
- CSC 484 – Ethics in Artificial Intelligence
- CSC 421 – Applied Algorithms and Structures
Seven of the eight required courses are artificial intelligence subjects. Unlike the university’s MS in Computer Science, the program does not require distributed systems, programming languages, or database courses.
Major Electives
Students choose 8 quarter hours from a list that includes:
- CSC 578 – Advanced Deep Learning
- CSC 528 – Computer Vision
- CSC 481 – Introduction to Image Processing
- CSC 482 – Applied Image Analysis
- CSC 555 – Mining Big Data
- CSC 575 – Intelligent Information Retrieval
- CSC 577 – Recommender Systems
- CSC 458 – Symbolic Programming
- CSC 594 – Topics in Artificial Intelligence
- CSE 475 – Introduction to Robotics
- CSEC 440 – Information Security Management
- DSC 450 – Database Processing for Large-Scale Analytics
- DSC 478 – Programming Machine Learning Applications
- DSC 480 – Social Network Analysis
- SE 488 – AI-Driven Software Development
- SE 489 – Machine Learning Engineering for Production (MLOps)
The open elective is one advisor-approved graduate course from the School of Computing.
Capstone
Students finish the program with one of the following:
- CSC 675 – Capstone in Artificial Intelligence
- CSC 695 – Master’s Research
- CSC 697 – Graduate Internship, based on an internship focused on artificial intelligence
A master’s thesis option is also available for students who make an original contribution through a research project.
Cost and Tuition
DePaul is a private university and charges the same graduate tuition regardless of residency. Tuition is billed by the credit hour at the rate of the college offering the course.
For the 2026–27 academic year, DePaul lists:
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media graduate tuition | $1,003 per credit hour |
| Graduate comprehensive fee (full time) | $150 per term |
| Graduate comprehensive fee (part time) | $100 per term |
At 48 quarter hours, tuition comes to about $48,144 before fees. Each introductory course a student must take adds about $4,012, so the total can reach about $72,216 for a student who needs all six.
DePaul graduates who are newly admitted receive a 25 percent discount on graduate coursework in the college, and the college awards graduate scholarships of $6,000 to $9,000 to qualifying full-time students. Rates can change each year, so students should confirm current costs with DePaul.
View DePaul graduate tuition and fees
Admission Requirements
Applicants need a bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited college or university and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
The program also requires successful completion of Calculus 1 and 2.
Programming experience is not listed as a requirement, although DePaul notes that applicants with some academic or work experience in programming may have a stronger application. Gaps in programming, data structures, and statistics are covered by the introductory courses.
Application Materials
Applicants submit:
- online application and application fee ($25 domestic, $75 international)
- official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, sent directly by the institution
- course-by-course transcript evaluation for international applicants
- proof of English proficiency when required
The college does not require the GRE or GMAT for its master’s programs. Letters of recommendation, a resume, and industry certifications are optional supplemental materials.
Application Deadlines
| Entry Term | Domestic Deadline | International Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | August 1 | June 15 |
| Winter | December 1 | October 15 |
| Spring | March 1 | January 15 |
| Summer | May 1 | April 15 |
Students can start in any of the four quarters.
Program Format
DePaul lists the MS in Artificial Intelligence as available on campus and online. The graduate catalog carries a separate online version of the degree with the same required courses, electives, and capstone options.
The degree itself is 12 four-hour courses. DePaul does not publish a typical completion time, and the length depends on how many introductory courses a student needs and how many courses are taken each quarter.
The program is STEM designated, which can allow eligible international students to extend their stay after graduation for Optional Practical Training.
Who Is This Program Best For?
DePaul’s MS in Artificial Intelligence is a strong option for students who want machine learning and AI as the required core of the degree and who value flexible entry, with four start dates a year and no GRE.
It may be especially appealing to students interested in:
- machine learning and deep learning
- natural language processing
- cognitive science and AI ethics
- computer vision and robotics as electives
- an internship as the capstone
- a campus or online option in Chicago
- entering AI without a computer science degree
Tuition is charged at a private university rate, and students without a computing background may need up to six introductory courses that add cost and time. Computer vision and data mining are electives, not required courses. Students who want lower public university tuition or a shorter path may want to compare other Illinois schools.
Official DePaul University Program Links
- MS in Artificial Intelligence program page
- Graduate catalog entry
- Graduate admission requirements and deadlines
- Graduate tuition and fees
Related Machine Learning Programs in Illinois
Students can also compare DePaul University with other master’s programs in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related fields offered in Illinois.
- Bradley University – Peoria
- Elmhurst University – Elmhurst
- Illinois Institute of Technology – Chicago
- Lewis University – Romeoville
- Northwestern University – Evanston
- University of Chicago – Chicago
- University of Illinois Chicago – Online
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – Urbana-Champaign