SU’s AI degrees aim to responsibly prepare students for evolving job market
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As artificial intelligence usage rapidly increases worldwide, Syracuse University has introduced over 10 new AI-centered majors, minors and certificate programs, as a part of a “larger AI push” to prepare students for the workforce, according to its website.
Beginning in the fall semester, SU will offer multiple bachelor’s and master’s programs, following a national trend of university efforts to keep up with AI’s growth. Outside degree programs, SU’s AI minors, all launched within the past year or beginning in the fall semester, will extend the network to five schools across campus with AI programs.
“Though the AI degree programs are expanding nationally, not many schools are bringing the full picture into their curriculum,” Lois Agnew, vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer, said in a release in July.
The goal of the new AI programs is to have an interdisciplinary approach, rather than teaching and consuming AI as a single subject, Julie Hasenwinkel, interim dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science and associate provost for academic programs, said in the release.
This approach will instead “weave cutting-edge technology” into “every aspect” of one’s education, such as their academics, research and career pathway.
Integrative Artificial Intelligence B.S.
The integrative artificial intelligence bachelor’s of science degree is offered through the School of Information Studies. Baobao Zhang, Maxwell Dean Associate Professor of the Politics of AI, helped develop the integrative AI major and said it aims to pair technical AI knowledge with expertise in a specific field.
The program requires students to complete 120 total credits, as well as a minor in an applied domain such as analytics, business, communications, media or policy, according to its website.
“Someone who’s coming into the integrative AI major, their goal is to still learn about the technical aspects of AI to a sufficient degree, but to be really able to apply it in various professional contexts,” Zhang said.
Regardless of the field, Zhang said the major aims to apply AI to subjects with a “detailed understanding” of the risks and opportunities involved.
“There are a lot of job opportunities nowadays where businesses and nonprofit organizations, schools, governments want to adopt AI, but can’t just go and hire computer scientists who have no understanding of their specific professional context,” Zhang said. “You need someone who can speak both languages.”
The major requires students to take core technical courses alongside classes in ethics and governance, to help students understand the “limitations” and “harm” that can come with AI, Zhang said.
The integrative AI major received approval from the New York State Education Department, the release said. Both new and current students can enroll in courses in the major starting this fall.
Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in AI Science
The two new programs housed in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Bachelor of Science in AI Science and the Master of Science in AI Science, take on a more technical approach, built to train students in the algorithmic foundations of AI systems.
According to Bipartisan Policy Center and Lightcast research, jobs in America requiring AI-focused skills grew by 144% as of April 2026, compared to only a 7% growth in overall job postings, which SU cites in the school’s explanation of the new degrees.
Bachelor’s of Science in AI Science
The bachelor’s degree in AI science within the ECS school is a “rigorous” program, focused on “computing, machine learning, knowledge representation and large language models,” its website says.
The 120-credit bachelor’s degree includes a 60-credit general foundation, 22-credit computing core, 15-credit AI core, eight-credit senior capstone sequence, nine-credit concentration and six credits of upper-division AI electives.
Master’s of Science in AI Science
The 30-credit MS program includes two 500-level courses meant to “eliminate prerequisite barriers” for students coming from other STEM backgrounds, making it accessible to any “mathematically mature” STEM graduate.
Students will take a 12-credit advanced AI core, a three-credit specialization track in either AI hardware or natural language processing, a six-credit thesis or capstone and round out the degree with six credits of AI electives and a three-credit engineering elective.
AI and Emerging Media Minor
The 18-credit AI and emerging media minor in the Newhouse School of Public Communications is an 18-credit program designed to give students a “competitive edge in rapidly changing fields” by “combining AI literacy, ethical decision-making, data strategy and hands-on content creation,” according to its website.
The minor requires four three-credit foundational courses and six credits of tailored electives.
AI in Business Applications Minor
The goal of the College of Professional Studies’ AI in business applications minor is to expand students’ “abilities to critically analyze and apply key digital technologies and tools in industry scenarios,” to prepare them for the future of the workforce.
AI Science and Engineering Minor
The 18-credit AI science and engineering minor in the ECS is new starting this fall. The minor is designed to “create technical experts” who will thrive in changing environments through teaching skills that are sought after by employers. The program combines both core computing and technical principles with AI coursework.
AI Policy Minor
The AI policy minor in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs is an 18-credit program designed to address policy problems posed by AI systems and “evaluate governance approaches” while building AI tools for government and public sector applications, according to its website. In addition to its nine-credit AI policy core and electives, there’s also a three-credit analytical skills foundation requirement alongside domain-specific electives.
Applications of AI Minor
The applications of AI minor in the ISchool focuses on AI’s role in “transforming industries everywhere, from business and healthcare to the arts and social sciences.” The minor is 18 credits with a six-credit core and nine-credit elective requirement with three core elective credits.
Applied Digital Process Automation Minor
The applied digital process automation minor within CPS is designed to cover the basic concepts of digital automation. The minor is 18 credits and includes classes such as AIA 210, Foundations of Digital Automation and AIA 215, Generative AI in Digital Automation.
Data Centers, AI and Energy Systems Minor
This minor is available to all ECS students, with the goal of creating computer scientists and engineers who can immediately impact each of their respective industries, according to its website.
Outside of the majors and minors, SU will also offer certificates and an online degree. The certificates offered are one in AI business automation and another in AI business applications. The online degree is in AI in business process automation.
The majors are one of SU’s responses to the expansion of AI in higher education and the workforce.
“Even if you’re not thinking about going into this for professional reasons, you might still want to consider taking the major, given how prevalent AI is in everyday life,” Zhang said.
