University of Alabama

How this program compares

Budget-wise, $28K puts this master's program at the 39th percentile on cost — roughly 35% below the $42.9K average across 394 comparable listings. It runs on a full-time schedule (on-campus).

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: GRE General Test is required. Applicants must demonstrate at least two introductory programming courses or equivalent industrial experience. Fall deadline: June 1 (domestic), March 1 (international); Spring deadline: November 1 (domestic), August 1 (international). Contact: Dr. Jeffrey Carver, [email protected].

About This Program

UA Tuscaloosa's standalone MS in AI is administered by the Computer Science department, providing a structured AI-specific curriculum distinct from a general MSCS. The program is offered on-campus and includes CPT provisions for international students who want applied industry experience during the summer. Coursework concentrates on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Most students complete it in about 2 years.

It is one of 12 AI-related programs we track in Alabama, of which about 75% offer an online option. On price, it comes in higher than about 75% of the Alabama programs in our data, where typical tuition runs near $17.8K.

Graduates frequently move into roles such as AI Engineer, with reported salaries around ,000.

Complete 12-credit Foundational AI Core: CS523, CS565, CS566, CS583.

Estimated total tuition is $28K, below the $42.9K average for AI master's programs in our database and in the 39th percentile on cost at this level. That puts it in the mid-range on price among comparable programs.

Career Outcomes

University of Alabama positions this master track for AI Engineer careers — typical offers cluster around ,000. Its focus on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning maps directly to how employers screen for specialized skills rather than generic degrees. Federal projections for this occupational area point to roughly 26% growth this decade — verify the current figure on the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook before you rely on it.

• 1. AI / ML Engineer
• 2. Research Scientist
• 3. Data Scientist
• 4. PhD-track researcher

What You'll Learn

• Complete 12-credit Foundational AI Core: CS523, CS565, CS566, CS583.
• Select AI electives from advanced ML, NLP, vision, and intelligent systems courses.
• Complete thesis research or a non-thesis project/coursework path.
• Optionally pursue summer CPT for industry experience after completing two semesters.

Curriculum Highlights

The University of Alabama CS department requires 30 total credit hours for the MS in Artificial Intelligence. Thesis track (Plan I): 24 hours of CS graduate coursework including 12 hours of Foundational AI Courses (CS523, CS565, CS566, CS583) and 12 hours of AI Elective Courses (CS551, CS560, CS561, CS563, CS581, CS584, CS651, CS665, CS583), plus 6 hours of CS 599 Thesis Research. Non-Thesis track (Plan II): 30 hours of coursework including the same 12-hour foundational AI core and 18 hours of AI electives, with an optional 3-credit non-thesis project (CS 598). Up to 9 hours of transfer credit may count toward electives. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is available for international students after two semesters.

Top Employers

Alabama's growing tech, aerospace, and defense sectors; national AI employers; verify through UA's career services.

Admissions

Admission to University of Alabama's MS in Artificial Intelligence generally expects a bachelor's in cs or related field; programming background required. Plan for the GRE, which this program lists as gre general required. Deadlines, testing policies and funding change year to year, so confirm the current requirements on the official program page before applying.

Application Materials

• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Letters of Recommendation: Standard graduate school requirement
• GRE General: Required
• Transcripts: Official required after admission
• English Proficiency: Per Graduate School for international applicants

Frequently Asked Questions