Western Michigan University offers a Master of Science in Intelligent Systems and Data Engineering through the Department of Industrial and Entrepreneurial Engineering and Engineering Management in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
The 30-credit program is based in Kalamazoo. Artificial Intelligence is a required course, every student takes either Machine Learning or Applied Data Mining for Engineers, and the degree ends with a 6-credit industry-based practicum. Western Michigan does not offer a master’s degree titled machine learning or artificial intelligence.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Facts
| Degree | MS in Intelligent Systems and Data Engineering |
| School | College of Engineering and Applied Sciences |
| Location | Kalamazoo, Michigan |
| Credits | 30 |
| Culminating Experience | 6-credit practicum, no thesis listed |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate work (university requirement) |
| GRE | Not required |
| Tuition | $868.04 per credit hour for Michigan residents, plus a $70 engineering differential |
| Application Deadline | Ongoing; the department lists fall entry |
Official MS in Intelligent Systems and Data Engineering page
Curriculum
The degree combines industrial engineering and computer science coursework. The catalog describes it as a professional program covering the full data pipeline: data collection, preparation, storage, analysis, and reporting, as applied to industrial applications.
Students complete 30 graduate credits consisting of:
- 24 credits of core courses, including a 6-credit practicum
- 6 credits of electives
The course lists below follow the 2026–27 Graduate Catalog. The department’s program page shows a slightly different core list, so students should confirm the current plan with the program advisor.
Core Courses
- CS 5820 – Artificial Intelligence
- CS 5821 – Machine Learning or IEE 5170 – Applied Data Mining for Engineers
- CS 6100 – Advanced Storage, Retrieval and Processing of Big Data
- CS 6110 – Data Science Foundations
- IEE 6130 – Stochastic and Heuristic Methods in Operations Research
- IEE 6170 – Applied Data Collection for Artificial Intelligence
- IEE 6900 – Intelligent Systems and Data Engineering Practicum (6 credits)
Machine Learning is one of two ways to meet a single core requirement, so a student who chooses Applied Data Mining for Engineers can finish without it. CS 6110 covers the mathematics behind data science and machine learning, including linear algebra, convex optimization, and Bayesian inference.
Electives
Students select two courses from:
- CS 5430 – Database Systems
- CS 5822 – Natural Language Processing
- CS 6530 – Data Mining
- CS 6720 – Pattern Recognition
- CS 6820 – Advanced Artificial Intelligence
- CS 6821 – Information Retrieval
- IEE 6100 – Linear Programming for Engineers
- IEE 6110 – Deterministic Methods in Operations Research
- EM 5080 – Advanced Quality Management
- EM 6140 – Advanced Project Management
Natural Language Processing, Pattern Recognition, and Data Mining are electives rather than core courses. The program’s course list does not include a deep learning or computer vision course.
Practicum
In IEE 6900, students complete a hands-on, industry-based project in data collection, preparation, storage, analysis, and dissemination. The catalog says the project can focus on machine learning, artificial intelligence, or large-scale data infrastructure in an industrial setting. The catalog does not list a thesis option.
Cost and Tuition
Western Michigan is a public university and charges graduate tuition by the credit hour, with separate rates for Michigan residents and nonresidents. Graduate students in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences also pay differential tuition of $70 per credit hour.
For the 2026–27 academic year, the university lists:
| Category | Michigan Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate tuition per credit hour | $868.04 | $1,326.71 |
| Engineering differential per credit hour | $70.00 | $70.00 |
| Required fees per semester (5 or more credits) | $481.50 | $481.50 |
At 30 credits, tuition with the differential comes to about $28,141 for a Michigan resident and about $41,901 for a nonresident, before fees. These totals are estimates based on the published per-credit rates.
Students taking 1 to 4 credits in a semester pay $278.50 in required fees instead of $481.50. The university charges the same per-credit rate in every semester and summer session. Rates can change each year, so students should confirm current costs with the university.
View Western Michigan University tuition and fees
Admission Requirements
Applicants need a bachelor’s degree with a major in a technical field, such as engineering, technology, mathematics, computer science, or the physical sciences.
The university requires an overall GPA of at least 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate work for admission to a master’s program. The program does not publish a separate GPA minimum or a list of prerequisite courses.
Application Materials
Applicants submit:
- online graduate application and $50 application fee
- resume or curriculum vitae
- official transcript from the institution that granted the bachelor’s degree
- transcripts from any institution where graduate courses were taken
- proof of English proficiency when required
The GRE is not required. The Graduate College does not ask for letters of recommendation or a written statement for this program.
Application Deadlines
Western Michigan does not publish a fixed application deadline for this program. The Graduate College lists the deadline as ongoing, with students admitted for each semester up until census.
The department’s program page states that applications are accepted for fall terms. Applicants who want to start in spring should confirm with the program advisor before applying.
The university’s general deadline for international applicants is March 1 for the fall semester.
Program Format
The program is housed in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Floyd Hall in Kalamazoo. The university’s pages for this degree do not describe an online or hybrid option.
The degree does not have concentrations or tracks. All students follow the same core and choose two electives.
Western Michigan does not publish a typical time to completion for this program or state whether it is STEM designated. International applicants should confirm both points with the department.
Who Is This Program Best For?
Western Michigan’s MS in Intelligent Systems and Data Engineering is a practical option for engineers and other technical graduates who want to apply artificial intelligence and data mining to industrial systems.
It may be especially appealing to students interested in:
- artificial intelligence and machine learning applied to manufacturing, healthcare, and other industries
- data collection and preparation for AI
- big data storage and retrieval
- operations research and optimization
- an industry-based practicum instead of a thesis
- admission with no GRE, recommendation letters, or written statement
The degree is an engineering program first. Machine Learning can be replaced by a data mining course, there is no deep learning or computer vision course in the program list, and only two electives are available. Students who want a degree built entirely around machine learning, a research thesis, or a confirmed online format may want to compare other Michigan schools or the university’s MS in Data Science and MS in Computer Science.
Official Western Michigan University Program Links
- MS in Intelligent Systems and Data Engineering program page
- Graduate catalog entry
- Graduate College application requirements
- Tuition and fees
Related Machine Learning Programs in Michigan
Students can also compare Western Michigan University with other master’s programs in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related fields offered in Michigan.
- Eastern Michigan University – Ypsilanti
- Grand Valley State University – Grand Rapids
- 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