East Tennessee State University offers a 33-credit Master of Science in Computer Science with a dedicated Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning concentration. The program is based in Johnson City and is a strong fit for students who want graduate-level computer science training with a clear AI/ML specialization.
| School | East Tennessee State University |
| Location | Johnson City, Tennessee |
| Degree | MS in Computer Science |
| Credits | 33 |
| AI/ML Option | Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning concentration |
| Format | Campus with some online course offerings |
| Length | 4 semesters (about 2 years) for full-time fall starts |
| Estimated Tuition & Fees | About $24,340 in-state or $54,580 out-of-state over 2 academic years |
Curriculum
The MS in Computer Science combines graduate computer science coursework with a four-course concentration. Students choose from Applied Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, or Software Engineering. The degree also includes three elective courses and a culminating capstone sequence.
The AI and Machine Learning concentration gives this program a direct connection to the focus of MastersInMachineLearning.org. Relevant graduate coursework includes subjects such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing and Text Analysis. Students also build a broader computer science foundation through advanced technical and research coursework.
See the official ETSU MS in Computer Science page for current program information.
Credits and Program Length
The degree requires 33 credit hours. ETSU states that full-time students who begin in the fall should expect to finish in four semesters. For example, a student starting in Fall 2026 would normally finish in Spring 2028.
Students may need additional semesters if they begin in the spring, enroll part-time, need foundation courses, or require extra time to complete thesis research.
Tuition and Cost
ETSU lists 2026-27 graduate tuition and fees of approximately $12,170 per academic year for Tennessee residents and $27,290 per academic year for out-of-state students in its published graduate cost-of-attendance budget.
Using ETSU’s expected two-year completion schedule, estimated tuition and fees are about $24,340 for in-state students and $54,580 for out-of-state students. These are planning estimates based on current 2026-27 rates. Actual costs can change by year and course load, and these figures do not include housing, books, transportation, or personal expenses.
ETSU also offers graduate assistantships and scholarships for some full-time students. See the university’s graduate cost of attendance for current figures.
Admissions
Applicants should normally have the equivalent of an undergraduate major in a computing field and an overall 3.0 GPA. ETSU also requires three recommendation letters, a personal essay, and a curriculum vitae that includes relevant IT experience.
Preparation should include programming and data structures, databases, computer organization, and college mathematics such as probability and statistics or calculus. Applicants to the AI/ML concentration should also have a background in linear algebra. ETSU may offer provisional admission to applicants who need selected foundation courses.
Machine Learning and AI Focus
The Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning concentration makes ETSU one of the more directly relevant Tennessee programs for students comparing graduate AI and machine learning options. Rather than offering only an isolated AI elective, ETSU builds AI/ML into a formal four-course concentration within the MS in Computer Science.
This structure can suit students who want machine learning skills while keeping a broader computer science degree on their résumé. It also leaves room for electives and a final project or research experience.
Delivery Format
ETSU classifies the MS in Computer Science as an onsite program with some online offerings. In-person and synchronous online courses are normally offered in the evening. We classify the degree as Campus rather than online because ETSU does not present the full MSCS as an online degree.
Capstone and Research Options
Students finish the program with a capstone sequence and present their work to an advisor and committee. Depending on the approved path, the culminating work may involve an independent computing project, a software development project, or thesis research.
Who Is This Program Best For?
ETSU is a good option for students who already have a computing background and want a 33-credit computer science master’s with a formal AI/ML concentration. It may be especially attractive to Tennessee residents because the estimated in-state tuition and fees are substantially lower than the published out-of-state cost.
Bottom Line
East Tennessee State University’s MS in Computer Science fits this site well. The program offers a dedicated Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning concentration, requires 33 credits, and can be completed in about two years by a full-time student who starts in the fall. Based on 2026-27 university figures, estimated two-year tuition and fees are about $24,340 in-state or $54,580 out-of-state.
Related Programs
- Middle Tennessee State University - Murfreesboro
- Tennessee State University - Nashville
- Tennessee Tech University - Cookeville
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga - Chattanooga
- University of Tennessee Knoxville - Knoxville
- Vanderbilt University - Nashville
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