Grand Valley State University offers a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence through the College of Computing.
The 33-credit program is offered in downtown Grand Rapids in the late afternoon or evening, in a hybrid format, and fully online. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining are required of every student. Machine Learning is one of five core options from which students choose two, so it is not required of every student.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Facts
| Degree | MS in Artificial Intelligence |
| Tracks | Artificial Intelligence Systems, Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence, Edge and Cloud Artificial Intelligence, or Human Centered Artificial Intelligence |
| School | College of Computing |
| Location | Grand Rapids, Michigan or Online |
| Format | Face to face, hybrid, or online |
| Credits | 33 |
| Culminating Experience | Master’s project or thesis |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 |
| GRE | Not listed as a requirement |
| Tuition | $940 per credit hour for 2026–27, with no separate nonresident rate |
| Application Deadlines | July 1 (fall), December 1 (winter); earlier for international applicants |
Official MS in Artificial Intelligence page
Curriculum
The MS in Artificial Intelligence is a standalone degree in the College of Computing, separate from the college’s MS in Applied Computer Science and MS in Data Science and Analytics. The college’s catalog entry notes that its new artificial intelligence programs were approved in the winter 2025 semester.
Students complete 33 graduate credits, 11 three-credit courses, consisting of:
- 12 credits of core courses
- 12 credits in one track
- 3 or 6 credits of electives
- a capstone, either a 3-credit master’s project or a 6-credit thesis
Students who choose the project take 6 elective credits, and students who choose the thesis take 3. A plan of study must be approved by the Graduate Program Director before the program begins.
Core Courses
All students take:
- AI 501 – Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
- CIS 635 – Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining
Students then choose two of the following:
- AI 502 – Generative Artificial Intelligence
- AI 511 – AI Ethics and Bias
- AI 545 – Machine Learning Operations
- CIS 678 – Machine Learning
- SE 511 – Introduction to Software Engineering
Because CIS 678 is a choice, it is possible to finish the degree without a course titled machine learning. CIS 678 is the catalog prerequisite for Applied Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Reinforcement Learning, and Edge AI, so students who want those courses should plan to take it early.
Tracks
Students complete one track of four courses. The catalog describes three tracks as technical, for students with prior experience in computing, and one as non-technical.
Artificial Intelligence Systems (technical)
- AI 545 – Machine Learning Operations (required)
- SE 513 – Software Testing (required)
- Two of: AI 502 – Generative Artificial Intelligence, AI 521 – Applied Computer Vision, AI 531 – Natural Language Processing, AI 541 – Edge AI, AI 551 – Reinforcement Learning, CIS 641 – Systems Analysis and Design, SE 512 – Requirements Specification, SE 530 – Software Construction and Delivery, SE 536 – Data Analytics in Software Engineering, SE 537 – Software Quality Assurance
Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (technical)
Students choose four of:
- AI 511 – AI Ethics and Bias
- CIS 518 – Secure Software Engineering
- CYB 520 – Trustworthy AI
- CYB 616 – Cybersecurity Fundamentals
- CYB 619 – Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics for Cybersecurity
Edge and Cloud Artificial Intelligence (technical)
- AI 541 – Edge AI (required)
- Three of: AI 521 – Applied Computer Vision, CIS 554 – Computer Networking, CIS 655 – Cloud Applications Development, SE 531 – Software Virtualization
Human Centered Artificial Intelligence (non-technical)
- HCC 531 – Human AI Interaction (required)
- Three of: AI 502 – Generative Artificial Intelligence, AI 521 – Applied Computer Vision, AI 551 – Reinforcement Learning, CIS 671 – Information Visualization, HCC 502 – User Experience Research
The college’s 2026–27 advising guide also lists a Healthcare Artificial Intelligence track that does not appear in the 2026–27 catalog. Students interested in it should confirm its status with the Graduate Program Director.
Electives
The advising guide states that any 500 or 600 level CIS course can be used as an elective, and electives must be approved by the Graduate Program Director.
Many of the AI courses are dual-listed with 400 level undergraduate courses. Students who have already completed 12 credits of dual-listed courses may not use more of them to meet the elective requirement.
Project or Thesis
Students finish with one of:
- CIS 693 – Master’s Project (3 credits)
- CIS 695 – Master’s Thesis (3 credits, taken twice)
The catalog notes that an internship option must be discussed with the Graduate Program Director.
Cost and Tuition
Grand Valley sets graduate tuition by academic program and charges by the credit hour. The university states that there are no separate graduate rates based on residency.
For the 2026–27 academic year, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships lists:
| Category | Tuition per Credit Hour |
|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence (M.S.), Michigan residents and nonresidents | $940 |
At 33 credits, tuition comes to about $31,020, before any course surcharges. A three-credit course costs $2,820 at this rate.
The tuition page notes that a per credit hour or per course surcharge is assessed for certain classes. The application fee is $30 and is waived for applicants who have previously applied to Grand Valley.
Applicants who need to make up programming background through the Computing Academy pay $200 per course, and financial aid does not cover those courses. Rates are subject to change by the Board of Trustees.
View Grand Valley State University tuition and fees
Admission Requirements
Applicants need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The program does not require a specific undergraduate major, and the non-technical track is intended for students without a technical background.
The college’s advising guide asks for a 3.0 GPA from all undergraduate coursework. The Admissions office lists the requirement as a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or sufficient relevant industry experience.
Candidates are also expected to have:
- knowledge of a programming language, preferably Python, equivalent to two or three undergraduate courses
- knowledge of applied statistics
Applicants who lack the programming background are required to take Computing Academy courses. Prerequisites do not count toward the 33 credits.
Application Materials
Applicants submit:
- graduate application and $30 application fee
- official transcripts from each institution that granted a bachelor’s degree
- resume detailing work experience and accomplishments
- two professional or academic recommendations, submitted online
- personal statement of career goals and background
- proof of English proficiency when required
Grand Valley does not list the GRE among the requirements for this program. The Admissions office describes the personal statement as optional, while the college’s advising guide lists it as a requirement, so applicants should plan to include one.
Application Deadlines
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for fall and winter entry. Grand Valley’s winter semester begins in January.
| Entry Term | Domestic Applicants | International Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | July 1 | May 1 |
| Winter | December 1 | October 15 |
The Admissions office advises submitting the application and all supporting documents one to two months before the intended semester.
Program Format
Grand Valley lists the MS in Artificial Intelligence as face to face, hybrid, and online, with Grand Rapids as the campus location.
In-person classes meet in the late afternoon or evening in downtown Grand Rapids. The university’s online designation means students are not required to come to campus to complete the program, and the degree is included in the College of Computing’s list of fully online graduate programs.
The college’s sample plan of study for a fall start spreads the 33 credits across four semesters, with three courses in each of the first three semesters and two in the last. Students must take at least 24 of the 33 credits at Grand Valley and maintain a 3.0 GPA to graduate.
Several AI courses are scheduled in particular semesters. The catalog lists Generative Artificial Intelligence and Edge AI as winter courses, so sequencing matters for students on a fixed timeline.
Who Is This Program Best For?
Grand Valley’s MS in Artificial Intelligence is a good fit for working professionals in West Michigan, and for online students, who want an applied AI degree with evening, hybrid, or online classes.
It may be especially appealing to students interested in:
- machine learning operations and deploying models in production
- generative artificial intelligence
- edge and cloud AI
- AI in cybersecurity and trustworthy AI
- AI ethics, bias, and human AI interaction
- entering AI from a non-computing background through the non-technical track
- one tuition rate for Michigan residents and nonresidents
The program leans toward applying and deploying AI more than toward theory. Machine Learning is a core option, not a requirement, there is no standalone deep learning course, and computer vision, natural language processing, and reinforcement learning are track choices. Students who want a required machine learning and deep learning sequence, a research-focused degree, or lower tuition may want to compare other Michigan schools.
Official Grand Valley State University Program Links
- MS in Artificial Intelligence program page
- University program overview and deadlines
- Catalog program requirements
- Plans of study and advising guide
- Graduate application and program requirements
- Online graduate computing programs
- Tuition and fees
Related Machine Learning Programs in Michigan
Students can also compare Grand Valley State University with other master’s programs in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related fields offered in Michigan.
- Eastern Michigan University – Ypsilanti
- Lawrence Technological University – Southfield
- Michigan State University – East Lansing
- Michigan Technological University – Houghton
- Oakland University – Rochester
- University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
- University of Michigan-Dearborn – Dearborn
- Wayne State University – Detroit
- Western Michigan University – Kalamazoo