Lewis University offers a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence through the College of Aviation, Science and Technology.
The 36-credit program is offered on the Romeoville campus and online. Neural Networks and Deep Learning, Unsupervised Machine Learning, Generative Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning Operations are all required courses, and students finish with an applied master’s project.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Facts
| Degree | MS in Artificial Intelligence |
| School | College of Aviation, Science and Technology |
| Location | Romeoville, Illinois or Online |
| Format | Campus or online, with hybrid scheduling |
| Credits | 36 |
| Culminating Experience | Master’s project |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 |
| GRE | Not listed as a requirement |
| Tuition | $1,100 per credit hour for students starting fall 2026 or later |
| STEM Designated | Yes |
Official MS in Artificial Intelligence page
Curriculum
Lewis offers this degree through its Department of Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences. It is a standalone program, separate from the Artificial Intelligence concentration in the university’s MS in Computer Science.
Students complete 36 graduate credits consisting of:
- 6 credits of foundation courses
- 27 credits of core courses, including a 3-credit master’s project
- 3 credits of electives
Foundation Courses
- CPSC 50100 – Programming Fundamentals
- DATA 50000 – Mathematics for Data Scientists
Students with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a closely related field may take additional electives in place of the foundation courses.
Core Courses
- CPSC 57100 – Artificial Intelligence 1
- CPSC 57600 – Responsible AI and Strategic Applications
- CPSC 57700 – Machine Learning Operations
- CPSC 57900 – Generative Artificial Intelligence
- DATA 51100 – Statistical Programming
- DATA 54000 – Large-Scale Data Storage Systems
- DATA 55100 – Unsupervised Machine Learning
- DATA 56000 – Neural Networks and Deep Learning
- CPSC 69300 – Artificial Intelligence Master’s Project
Unlike the university’s MS in Computer Science, the program does not require the cybersecurity, database systems, and software engineering core.
Electives
Students select one course from:
- CPSC 57200 – Artificial Intelligence 2
- CPSC 57400 – Natural Language Processing
- CPSC 65100 – Reinforcement Learning
- DATA 51000 – Data Mining and Analytics
- DATA 51200 – Multivariate Data Analysis
- DATA 55000 – Supervised Machine Learning
- DATA 56600 – Digital Image Processing
- DATA 62500 – Data Mining for Cyber Security
Supervised Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and Reinforcement Learning are electives rather than core courses, and the standard plan has room for only one of them.
Master’s Project
In CPSC 69300, students develop a solution to an AI-related problem, write a capstone paper, and give a capstone presentation. The program has no thesis option and no comprehensive examination.
Cost and Tuition
Lewis is a private university and charges graduate tuition by the credit hour, with the same rate for Illinois residents and nonresidents.
For the 2026–27 academic year, the Bursar lists these rates for the MS in Artificial Intelligence:
| Category | Tuition per Credit Hour |
|---|---|
| Students who enroll fall 2026 or later | $1,100 |
| Students enrolled before fall 2026 | $875 |
At 36 credits, tuition comes to about $39,600 at the $1,100 rate, before fees and discounts. Graduate students also pay a $175 student fee each fall and spring semester and a $180 graduation fee.
Lewis offers merit-based tuition discounts of up to 20 percent for this degree, based on undergraduate academic achievement and applied per credit each semester.
The Bursar notes that tuition rates vary for online programs, so online students should confirm their rate with an admission counselor. Rates can change each year.
View Lewis University tuition and fees
Admission Requirements
Applicants need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. The catalog does not require a specific undergraduate major.
Full admission requires a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Applicants below a 3.0 may be admitted provisionally. They must earn a 3.0 GPA across their first nine credit hours to continue in the program.
Application Materials
Applicants submit:
- graduate application and application fee
- official transcripts from all institutions attended
- two letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency when required
Lewis does not list the GRE among the requirements for this program. International applicants are also asked for a statement of purpose, a resume, and a course-by-course evaluation of transcripts from outside the United States.
Application Deadlines
Lewis does not publish a fixed application deadline for domestic applicants to this program.
For international applicants, the university’s application guide lists these deadlines:
| Entry Term | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall (international applicants) | June 1 |
| Spring (international applicants) | November 1 |
Incomplete international applications are deferred to the next available term, so applicants should confirm dates with the Office of Graduate Admission.
Program Format
Lewis lists the MS in Artificial Intelligence as offered on campus or online, in a hybrid mode with flexible scheduling for working professionals.
Most courses can be taken fully online, either synchronously or asynchronously. Courses that emphasize hands-on work may require some on-campus completion on a flexible schedule.
The degree is STEM designated, which allows eligible international students to apply for the STEM OPT extension. Students must complete all requirements within seven years of their first graduate course.
Lewis undergraduates can also reach the degree through a bachelor’s to master’s Fast Track program.
Who Is This Program Best For?
Lewis University’s MS in Artificial Intelligence is a strong option for students who want a structured, applied AI curriculum in the Chicago area or online.
It may be especially appealing to students interested in:
- neural networks and deep learning
- generative artificial intelligence
- machine learning operations and deployment
- responsible AI and business applications
- entering AI from a non-computing major, with foundation courses built in
- a STEM-designated degree with online and campus options
The curriculum is mostly prescribed, with a single elective, no thesis, and private university tuition. Students who want a research thesis, more room for natural language processing or reinforcement learning, or public university pricing may want to compare other Illinois schools.
Official Lewis University Program Links
- MS in Artificial Intelligence program page
- Graduate catalog entry
- Graduate admission page
- Tuition and fees
Related Machine Learning Programs in Illinois
Students can also compare Lewis University with other master’s programs in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related fields offered in Illinois.
- Bradley University – Peoria
- DePaul University – Chicago
- Elmhurst University – Elmhurst
- Illinois Institute of Technology – Chicago
- Northwestern University – Evanston
- University of Chicago – Chicago
- University of Illinois Chicago – Online
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – Urbana-Champaign