Starting this fall, George Mason University will begin offering a master of science degree in artificial intelligence, the first public program of its kind in Virginia.
The State Council of Higher Education recently approved the program, GMU announced in a news post. The degree will “equip the next generation of AI innovators with a rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum blending foundational theory with real-world applications.”
The courses will include machine learning foundations and practice, planning and decision-making for intelligent agents, and deep learning fundamentals. There are four specialized focus areas: AI policies, ethics, and society; advanced AI; scalable and secure AI infrastructures; and user-inspired AI.
The program is led by Amarda Shehu, the university’s inaugural vice president and chief AI officer, associate dean for research in the College of Engineering and Computing, and a professor in the computer science department.
“As AI transforms the way we work, govern, and live, this master’s degree program is more than just a response to demand — it is a commitment to preparing students with both the technical expertise and ethical grounding to shape the future of AI responsibly,” Shehu said.
The program description says that graduates will be “adept in managing the full machine learning operations lifecycle, integrating open-source AI frameworks, and developing secure, scalable AI solutions while effectively collaborating with cross-functional teams and communicating complex AI concepts to diverse stakeholders.”
Before GMU’s program, the nearest master’s program in AI was at Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies.
Those interested can fill out an inquiry form to receive more information online.
Feature image by Evan Cantwell, George Mason University
