Northeastern University offers a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence with a Machine Learning concentration on its Boston campus. The degree is interdisciplinary, and the Machine Learning concentration is housed in Khoury College of Computer Sciences.
The 32-semester-hour program is taught in person. Every student completes a 16-hour core that includes Foundations of Artificial Intelligence and a machine learning course, then a 16-hour concentration that ends in a capstone or master’s project. An optional co-op is available.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Facts
| Degree | MS in Artificial Intelligence |
| Featured Concentration | Machine Learning (one of 11 Boston concentrations) |
| School | Khoury College of Computer Sciences, with other Northeastern colleges |
| Location | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Format | In person, full time or part time |
| Credits | 32 semester hours |
| Culminating Experience | AI capstone or master’s project |
| GPA Guideline | 3.0 |
| GRE | Optional |
| Tuition | $1,922 per credit hour (2026–27) |
| Domestic Deadlines | December 1 (spring 2027), August 1 (fall 2027) |
| Typical Length | About 2 years full time, about 2.5 years with co-op |
Official MS in Artificial Intelligence page
Curriculum
Northeastern lists this degree among its university interdisciplinary programs. Students are admitted to the college that houses their concentration, and that college awards the degree. Machine Learning and Robotics and Agent-Based Systems are the two Khoury College concentrations.
Students complete 32 semester hours, usually eight 4-hour courses, consisting of:
- 16 hours of core courses
- 16 hours in one concentration, including a 4-hour capstone or master’s project in most concentrations
A minimum 3.0 GPA is required in the core and in the program overall.
Core Courses
- CS 5100 – Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
- CS 5130 and CS 5131 – Applied Programming and Data Processing for AI, with Recitation
- DADS 5200 – Mathematics for Machine Learning or DS 5020 – Introduction to Linear Algebra and Probability for Data Science
- EECE 5644 – Introduction to Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition or DADS 7275 – Machine Learning and Data Analytics
Unlike Northeastern’s MS in Computer Science, where machine learning is one choice within a breadth area, this core makes a machine learning course a requirement for every student.
Machine Learning Concentration
Students in the Machine Learning concentration take one required course:
- CS 5800 – Algorithms
They then complete 8 hours, normally two courses, from:
- CS 5180 – Reinforcement Learning and Sequential Decision Making
- CS 5330 – Pattern Recognition and Computer Vision
- CS 6120 – Natural Language Processing
- CS 6200 – Information Retrieval
- CS 6220 – Data Mining Techniques
- CS 7140 – Advanced Machine Learning
- CS 7150 – Deep Learning
- CS 7180 – Special Topics in Artificial Intelligence
Deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and data mining are electives rather than required courses, and the concentration has room for only two of them.
Capstone
The concentration ends with 4 hours in one of:
- CS 6170 – AI Capstone
- CS 8674 – Master’s Project
The catalog does not list a thesis option for this degree.
Other Boston Concentrations
The 2026–27 catalog lists ten other concentrations for the Boston program:
- Robotics and Agent-Based Systems (Khoury College of Computer Sciences)
- Computer Vision (College of Engineering)
- Bioengineering (College of Engineering)
- Continuous Process Engineering (College of Engineering)
- Energy Systems (College of Engineering)
- Human-AI Collaboration Systems (College of Engineering)
- Sustainability for Infrastructure and Environment (College of Engineering)
- Health Data (Bouve College of Health Sciences)
- Computational Creativity (College of Arts, Media and Design)
- Omics (College of Science)
The Computer Vision concentration requires EECE 5639 – Computer Vision and offers electives that include EECE 7370 – Advanced Computer Vision and EECE 7397 – Advanced Machine Learning.
Cost and Tuition
Northeastern is a private university and charges graduate tuition by the credit hour, with the same rate for Massachusetts residents and nonresidents.
For the 2026–27 academic year, the university lists:
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition per credit hour, MS in Artificial Intelligence | $1,922 |
| Program tuition for 32 semester hours | $61,504 |
| Comprehensive fee, full-time Boston graduate students | $200 per term, $400 maximum per year |
| Health and counseling fee | $225 per year |
| International student fee | $450, one time |
The $61,504 figure is Northeastern’s own tuition estimate and excludes fees and living expenses. The per-credit rate is the same whichever college delivers the concentration.
Massachusetts law requires students to carry health insurance. The Northeastern University Student Health Plan costs $3,049 per year and can be waived with comparable coverage. Admitted students pay a $750 non-refundable enrollment deposit.
The comprehensive fee does not apply while a student is on co-op. Rates can change each year, so students should confirm current costs with Student Financial Services.
View Northeastern University tuition and fees
Admission Requirements
Khoury College lists a GPA guideline of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for master’s applicants.
Applicants to the MS in Artificial Intelligence are expected to have:
- experience writing code in a high-level programming language, from coursework or from work as a programmer or software engineer
- at least one year of linear algebra, discrete mathematics, or advanced calculus, or at least one year of high-level statistics
Northeastern notes that the Machine Learning and Robotics concentrations require demonstrated programming proficiency. Applicants without a computing background can look at the separate 44-hour Align MS in Artificial Intelligence.
Application Materials
Applicants submit:
- online application and application fee
- unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
- statement of purpose of about 1,000 words
- letters of recommendation, with one academic and one professional letter suggested
- resume
- proof of English proficiency when required
Khoury College is GRE test-optional. Applicants may apply without a GRE score, and submitted scores are treated as supplementary. Official transcripts are needed only after admission.
For international applicants, Khoury recommends a TOEFL score of 90 or higher or an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher. Duolingo scores are not accepted.
Application Deadlines
The program admits students for fall and spring. Khoury College lists these deadlines, which it notes are subject to change:
| Entry Term | Applicant Type | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2027 | International | November 1 |
| Spring 2027 | Domestic | December 1 |
| Fall 2027 | International, outside the United States | June 15 |
| Fall 2027 | International, in the United States | July 1 |
| Fall 2027 | Domestic | August 1 |
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants rank up to three campus choices on the application.
Program Format
The MS in Artificial Intelligence is taught in person on the Boston campus. Northeastern does not list an online version of this degree.
Full-time students usually take two 4-hour courses per semester and finish in about two years. Part-time students take one course per semester and typically finish in 3 to 3.5 years.
Co-op is optional. Khoury College states that all master’s students are eligible, subject to academic requirements, and that a co-op extends the program to about 2.5 years.
The degree is also offered in Portland, Seattle, and Silicon Valley, but Khoury College states that the concentrations are available only in Boston. Northeastern’s catalog lists the degree under CIP code 11.0102, Artificial Intelligence. International students should confirm STEM OPT eligibility with the Office of Global Services.
Who Is This Program Best For?
Northeastern’s MS in Artificial Intelligence is a strong option for students who already program and want machine learning as required coursework, with a concentration and the option of a co-op in Boston.
It may be especially appealing to students interested in:
- a required core in artificial intelligence, mathematics for machine learning, and machine learning
- a named Machine Learning concentration with algorithms and a capstone
- electives in deep learning, natural language processing, and reinforcement learning
- computer vision or robotics through separate concentrations
- applying AI in engineering, health, or creative fields
- optional paid co-op during the degree
The program is in person only, and the Machine Learning concentration leaves room for just two elective courses, so a student cannot take deep learning, natural language processing, and computer vision together within the 32 hours. There is no thesis option listed, and tuition is $61,504 before fees. Students who want an online degree, a research thesis, a wider set of machine learning electives, or public university pricing may want to compare other Massachusetts schools.
Official Northeastern University Program Links
- MS in Artificial Intelligence program page
- Academic catalog entry (Boston)
- Graduate programs listing
- Khoury College master’s admissions
- Master’s admissions questions
- Catalog tuition and fees
- Tuition and fees
Related Machine Learning Programs in Massachusetts
Students can also compare Northeastern University with other master’s programs in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related fields offered in Massachusetts.
- Boston College – Chestnut Hill
- Boston University – Boston
- Brandeis University – Waltham
- Clark University – Worcester
- Fitchburg State University – Fitchburg
- Harvard University – Cambridge
- Tufts University – Medford
- University of Massachusetts Amherst – Amherst
- University of Massachusetts Lowell – Lowell
- Wentworth Institute of Technology – Boston
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester