A.I. Specializations & Certificates For MBAs

Business schools across the country are offering specialized MBA programs in Artificial Intelligence (A.I.). In doing so, these schools hope to meet the increasing demand for A.I. and machine learning specialists, which is expected to grow at a rate of 40% —faster than any labor force.

“Having a solid understanding of its concepts, applications, and implications is crucial for everyone who seeks to navigate the A.I. fueled business world as consumers, marketers, innovators, or policy makers,” Yixin Lu, an associate professor of information systems at the George Washington University School of Business, tells Fortune. “The increasing penetration of A.I. tools is poised to shape the future of our society. As such, studying A.I. is not only important, but also necessary to be well prepared for one’s future endeavors.”

Fortune recently highlighted some of the top business schools offering specialized MBA programs in A.I. and what students can expect from an A.I.-focused education.

CONCENTRATION PROGRAMS

A number of top B-schools offer A.I.-concentrated MBA programs that equip students with skills in machine learning, language processing, and data management.

At Northwestern University, the MBAi Program is a joint degree between Kellogg and the McCormick School of Engineering. The five-quarter-length program covers courses such as “Computational Thinking for Business Leaders,” “Applied A.I. for Business,” and “Data Intensive Systems.” Career focus areas include A.I. deployment, healthcare A.I. consulting, and innovation leadership.

Villanova offers a similar A.I. concentration program, where MBAs can specialize in Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). Villanova’s AI/ML Specialization students build prototype intelligent systems while acquiring practical experience in a wide spectrum of AI/ML domains, including natural language processing, expert systems, supervised and unsupervised learning, and robotics, among others.

In addition, Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business and Texas Tech’s Rawls College of Business offer A.I. concentrations. At Northeastern, MBAs are required to take 16 credit hours of ‘bridgework” computer science coursework if they had not previously majored in the field.

CERTIFICATES

A.I. certificate programs offer a quicker learning route—and often at a cheaper cost—than A.I. concentration programs. A number of top B-schools offer A.I. certificate options for MBAs.

Wharton’s Artificial Intelligence for Business certificate program is an online course where students can learn the fundamentals of Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning in four to six weeks for just $599. The course is taught by internationally-recognized internet marketing and media business professor, Kartik Hosanagar, PhD.

At MIT Sloan, students can take Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy, a six-week course on key AI technologies, such as machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics. The course emphasizes how humans and computers can work together to solve complex business issues.

Along with the Wharton School and MIT Sloan, A.I. certificates are available to MBA students at Georgia State’s Robinson College, George Washington University School of Business, Northwestern University’s Kellogg School, the University of Texas’ McCombs School, and the University of Maryland’s Smith School. At these programs, the cost for a certificate ranges from $800-$25,000.

For details on courses, costs, and requirements on all the schools offering A.I. concentrations and certificates to MBAs, click on the Fortune links below.

Sources: Fortune, Fortune

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