New in Career
As you begin your career and aspire to a leadership role, this program can distinguish you from other candidates and colleagues. It's never too early to develop the skills and confidence to manage AI in the workplace.
MA in Artificial Intelligence Leadership
Beyond Technical Expertise
Businesses, governments, and non-profits are working to responsibly integrate artificial intelligence into their products and operations. These enterprises need new technical expertise, but they also need non-technical employees with a strong grounding in the foundations, ethics, and potential of artificial intelligence to work comfortably alongside AI engineers and developers. Graduates of the Master of Arts in Artificial Intelligence Leadership will meet this need by embracing leadership opportunities within existing roles and by earning more formal positions of trust in emerging AI-specific leadership positions.
Our graduates will develop skills that make them feel at home in the complex world of artificial intelligence, capable of acting wisely in high stakes contexts, and equipped with the tools to work cooperatively with technical experts.
Is This Program For You?
The MA in Artificial Intelligence Leadership program is designed for professionals of all levels who anticipate a need to understand and manage AI in their organizations.
Managers
Expand your skillset and broaden your expertise as you work toward continued advancement in your career. Our program offers a deep understanding and professional mastery of AI leadership.
Executives
Tomorrow's executives and leaders will be required to shepherd complex organizations through the quickly evolving AI landscape — prepare yourself to lead your business with both expertise and ethics.
Program Overview
Pace, Format
This part-time online program features flexible start times throughout the year.
- 10 required courses will be completed across 4 semesters and a summer.
- Each semester is broken into 2 distinct sessions (~7 weeks each)
- The degree requires completion of 30 credits (10 courses, 3 credits per course).
Rotating Curriculum
The rotating curriculum consists of 10 courses completed in 2 years across 4 semesters and a single summer term. Students take just one course at a time, making it easier to balance the coursework with your personal and professional life. There are no course prerequisities, so you can begin your degree with any course.
The curriculum focuses on three distinct areas to develop a broad expertise:
- Knowledge
- Ethics
- Leadership
Online Learning
To provide flexibility to all learners, our courses are taught in the online asynchronous modality. We will foster personal interaction through optional synchronous online small-group meetings, faculty office hours, guest lectures, and networking events.
Students will receive consistent guidance as they make their way through the curriculum and build toward a final project portfolio. The portfolio will serve as concrete evidence of the knowledge, ethical understanding, and leadership capacity they have developed in this program. This evidence will clearly communicate the expertise gained and can be shared with potential or current employers.
Simple Online Application
The program has a simple online application process.
- Applicants will be given two brief essay prompts.
- The process requires an official transcript from an accredited undergraduate institution or university abroad.
- The process does not require a GRE or other standardized tests; and there is no fee to apply.
Pace, Format
This part-time online program features flexible start times throughout the year.
- 10 required courses will be completed across 4 semesters and a summer.
- Each semester is broken into 2 distinct sessions (~7 weeks each)
- The degree requires completion of 30 credits (10 courses, 3 credits per course).
Rotating Curriculum
The rotating curriculum consists of 10 courses completed in 2 years across 4 semesters and a single summer term. Students take just one course at a time, making it easier to balance the coursework with your personal and professional life. There are no course prerequisities, so you can begin your degree with any course.
The curriculum focuses on three distinct areas to develop a broad expertise:
- Knowledge
- Ethics
- Leadership
Online Learning
To provide flexibility to all learners, our courses are taught in the online asynchronous modality. We will foster personal interaction through optional synchronous online small-group meetings, faculty office hours, guest lectures, and networking events.
Students will receive consistent guidance as they make their way through the curriculum and build toward a final project portfolio. The portfolio will serve as concrete evidence of the knowledge, ethical understanding, and leadership capacity they have developed in this program. This evidence will clearly communicate the expertise gained and can be shared with potential or current employers.
Simple Online Application
The program has a simple online application process.
- Applicants will be given two brief essay prompts.
- The process requires an official transcript from an accredited undergraduate institution or university abroad.
- The process does not require a GRE or other standardized tests; and there is no fee to apply.
How Long Will It Take?
This degree is expected to take 2 years, with just a single course at a time. This sample degree plan gives you an idea of the courses you will take each semester. While these are the program courses, this sequence is a sample and the order in which we offer the courses may vary.
Session A
MAIL 503 – Foundations and History of Artificial Intelligence
Session B
MAIL 557 – AI Literacy for Leaders
Session A
MAIL 571 – AI Applications and Ecosystems
Session B
MAIL 523 – AI, Ethics, and Society
Session A
MAIL 593 – AI Alignment: Bias, Hallucination, and Reward Hacking
Session B
MAIL 607 – Identifying AI Opportunities
Fall Semester
Session A
MAIL 503 – Foundations and History of Artificial Intelligence
Session B
MAIL 557 – AI Literacy for Leaders
Spring Semester
Session A
MAIL 571 – AI Applications and Ecosystems
Session B
MAIL 523 – AI, Ethics, and Society
Summer
Session A
MAIL 593 – AI Alignment: Bias, Hallucination, and Reward Hacking
Session B
MAIL 607 – Identifying AI Opportunities
Session A
MAIL 619 – Implementing AI Solutions
Session B
MAIL 643 – AI Law, Regulation, Liability and Compliance
Session A
MAIL 659 – AI and Communication
Session B
MAIL 677 – AI Leadership in Practice: Topics
Fall Semester
Session A
MAIL 619 – Implementing AI Solutions
Session B
MAIL 643 – AI Law, Regulation, Liability and Compliance
Spring Semester
Session A
MAIL 659 – AI and Communication
Session B
MAIL 677 – AI Leadership in Practice: Topics
Program Foundations
The MA in Artificial Intelligence Leadership features a broad focus on leadership, approaching AI from several angles — including strategy, implementation, communication, and ethics.
Practical Content
This program provides the knowledge, ethical understanding, and leadership skills to help you guide your organization's AI strategy. Our curriculum covers everything from the foundations and history of AI to its ethical implications and potential applications. You'll gain the confidence and expertise to lead AI projects, make informed decisions, and shape the future of this transformative technology in your workplace.
Prioritizing Convenience
Designed for busy professionals, our fully online and asynchronous program offers the flexibility to learn on your schedule. Engage with expert faculty, collaborate with classmates, and apply your learning directly and immediately in your career. In under two years, you'll graduate with a project portfolio showcasing your AI leadership skills, ready to take on new opportunities in the emerging AI landscape.
Relevant Courses Taught By Experienced Faculty
Meet Your Professors
The faculty in this program represent the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Opus College of Business, and School of Law. They are well-versed in issues surrounding Artificial Intelligence applications, ethics, and leadership.
Dr. Thomas Feeney
Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy and Director of the Program
Thomas Feeney Bio
Upcoming Events
Take the Next Steps
Get In Touch
Learn more about earning a MA in Artificial Intelligence Leadership or the University of St. Thomas — request more information or attend a virtual Information Session.
Graduate Student Handbook and Course Catalog
The CAS Graduate Student Handbook and Course Catalog outlines requirements and policies for students in our graduate programs and compiles information on all of the college's graduate courses. Any issues not mentioned in this handbook are governed by general University of St. Thomas Graduate Policies.