University of Texas at Austin Online MS in Artificial Intelligence

The University of Texas at Austin offers a fully online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence through its Computer and Data Science Online unit. The program stands out for its direct AI focus, broad elective selection, and unusually low published tuition of $10,000 for the complete 30-credit degree.

Quick Facts

SchoolUniversity of Texas at Austin
LocationAustin, Texas
DegreeMaster of Science in Artificial Intelligence
Credits30
FormatOnline
Tuition$10,000 total tuition plus applicable fees
Length18–36 months
AI/ML FocusDeep learning, machine learning, reinforcement learning, NLP, generative models, optimization, and AI ethics

Curriculum

The 30-credit curriculum includes one required course, Ethics in AI, and nine electives. Each course carries three credits, so students complete 10 courses in total. UT Austin recommends taking foundational subjects early before moving into more specialized electives.

Available courses cover both the mathematical foundations of AI and applied work with modern models. The current course list includes:

  • Deep Learning
  • Machine Learning
  • Reinforcement Learning
  • Natural Language Processing
  • Advances in Deep Generative Models
  • Advances in Deep Learning
  • Planning, Search, and Reasoning Under Uncertainty
  • Online Learning and Optimization
  • Case Studies in Machine Learning
  • AI in Healthcare and AI in Astrophysics

The elective-heavy structure lets students build a technical plan around deep learning, generative AI, NLP, reinforcement learning, optimization, or applied AI. Course availability may vary by term.

Credits and Program Length

Students complete 30 semester credits. UT Austin’s CDSO FAQ states that its 30-credit online master’s programs can be completed in 18 to 36 months.

Students may study part time with one or two courses per long semester or full time with three to five courses. Working professionals are encouraged to begin with one or two courses. Students must enroll in at least one course during fall and spring, while summer enrollment is optional. UT allows up to six years to finish the degree.

Tuition and Cost

UT Austin publishes total MSAI tuition of $10,000, equal to $1,000 per course or about $333 per credit. The same tuition applies to Texas residents, out-of-state students, and international students.

The published price does not include every possible charge. International support fees and late-registration fees may apply. Students should use the program-specific price rather than the university’s broader graduate cost-of-attendance estimates, which cover campus-based tuition and living expenses that do not represent this online program’s stated tuition.

Admissions

The CDSO admissions page requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or a comparable international degree. Applicants need at least a 3.0 GPA in upper-division coursework and any completed graduate work.

UT prefers applicants with prior education in artificial intelligence, computer science, electrical or computer engineering, mathematics, or a related technical field. Applicants from other fields may receive case-by-case consideration if their coursework or professional experience shows adequate preparation in programming, mathematics, statistics, and computing.

Application materials include transcripts, a statement of purpose, a CV or résumé, and the items listed in the current MSAI application guide. The GRE is optional. International applicants may need an approved English-language proficiency score.

Machine Learning and AI Focus

This is a dedicated artificial intelligence degree rather than a general computer science program with a small AI component. Students can study supervised and unsupervised learning, neural networks, computer vision, language models, diffusion models, Bayesian methods, reinforcement learning, model optimization, and responsible AI.

The program combines courses from computer science, engineering, statistics, information, and other UT Austin units. That mix supports both technical depth and applied work in fields such as healthcare and scientific research.

Online Format

The MSAI is classified as Online. Computer and Data Science Online describes its programs as 100% online. Courses use on-demand lectures with weekly release schedules, so students can complete work during the week while following the semester calendar.

The online courses carry UT Austin graduate credit and are taught by UT faculty or affiliated faculty. Students should still expect graduate-level rigor, deadlines, and possible proctored or monitored exams.

Thesis or Capstone

UT Austin presents the MSAI as a 10-course professional degree. The published plan does not list a required thesis or separate capstone. Students build depth through advanced electives and applied assignments instead.

Who Is This Program Best For?

The program is a strong match for:

  • Working professionals who need a fully online AI master’s
  • Students seeking a low-cost graduate degree from a major research university
  • Applicants who want several electives in machine learning, deep learning, NLP, reinforcement learning, and generative AI
  • Technical professionals who can manage an asynchronous course format
  • Students who prefer coursework over a required thesis

Applicants who need extensive introductory programming or mathematics preparation may need prerequisite study before applying. Students seeking a campus research degree with a faculty-supervised thesis should compare UT Austin’s other graduate options.

Bottom Line

UT Austin’s online MS in Artificial Intelligence offers one of the clearest cost-to-curriculum values in the field. Students complete 30 credits in 18 to 36 months for published tuition of $10,000 plus applicable fees. The degree provides substantial machine learning and AI depth, a flexible online schedule, and a large selection of advanced technical electives.