MSAI | College of Connected Computing

Apply for Fall 2026

Applications are open for the inaugural cohort. Apply by July 15^th to be considered.

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What Makes this Program Different

Every Course. Built for Immediate Impact

Every course was designed with one question in mind: how does this make you better at your job on Monday? You graduate with Agent Skills built for your industry, a working AI solution, and the ability to stand in front of any executive and make the case for what you built. This is not a credential you hang on a wall. It is a capability you bring to work.

Real World Tested. Built for Every Industry.

This curriculum was tested inside real organizations including Nissan, Alliance Bernstein, and Bridgestone before a single student enrolled. Vanderbilt's commitment is equally rigorous: this curriculum evolves continuously to reflect where AI is heading, not just where it has been.

Designed with Purpose. Built for a New Era.

Vanderbilt's College of Connected Computing was built on a simple conviction: the future belongs to those who connect computing to every human endeavor. The MSAI is the graduate expression of that conviction. Built from scratch, with no legacy curriculum and no compromises. You are not joining an afterthought. You are joining the first degree of a college Vanderbilt decided the world needed.

Flexible Learning. Built for Working Professionals.

Online doesn't mean isolated. As a student in this program you are a full member of the Vanderbilt CCC community. Every fall and spring semester you have the opportunity to come to campus in Nashville, connect with the broader CCC community, and participate in the AI Showcase. You chose online for the flexibility. Vanderbilt made sure you didn't have to sacrifice belonging for it.

20 courses. 3 phases. 1 clear direction.

The Curriculum: Designed with Purpose

Each course runs 8 weeks and carries 1.5 credit hours, so you build momentum without losing it. The Vanderbilt College of Connected Computing MS in Artificial Intelligence is a 30-credit online master's degree designed for working professionals who lead AI strategy with or without a technical background. No coding prerequisites. Designed to be completed while you work.

Every working professional has the same question: can I actually fit this into my life? It is the right question to ask, and the answer depends on your schedule, your goals, and how you want to move through the 20 courses across all three phases. Schedule a consultation using the form below. We will walk you through the program structure and map it to your life, so you know exactly what it looks like before you apply.

Schedule a Consultation

The first eight courses build the complete foundation of AI leadership. You will learn to identify the right problems for AI, build solutions without writing a single line of code, evaluate whether they are working, and govern them responsibly. Everything that follows builds on what you establish here.

What Your Investment Looks Like

The Vanderbilt College of Connected Computing MS in Artificial Intelligence is a 30-credit online master's degree designed for working professionals who aspire to lead AI strategy. Offered through Vanderbilt University, the program requires no coding prerequisites and is delivered through a combination of one live course and one recorded session per week. Students complete 20 courses across three phases: AI Literacy, AI Fluency, and AI Leadership, and graduate with a portfolio including a working AI solution evaluated by an industry panel. The program accepts Fall and Spring intakes and requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and a preferred two or more years of professional experience.

$3,729
per 1.5 credit hour course - your pace, your timeline
Online
One live session per week per course. One recorded session on your schedule.
Merit Award
Inaugural cohort applicants are automatically considered for a scholarship. Request info to learn more.

An Investment in the Professionals Who Will Lead the AI Era

The CCC Inaugural Scholarship

The CCC Inaugural Scholarship is a merit-based award that meaningfully lowers tuition for members of our inaugural cohort. Awards reflect the strength of your candidacy: your accomplishments, your leadership trajectory, and the case you make for the impact this degree will have on your work. Every inaugural applicant is automatically considered, with no separate application. Because each award is individual, the surest way to learn what yours could be is to request information and start the conversation.

Request Information

*This program is currently in the process of applying for Title IV federal funding eligibility. Students enrolling in Fall 2026 will not be eligible for federal financial aid. We are committed to making this program accessible and encourage you to speak with an advisor about merit award opportunities.

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Jesse Spencer-Smith
Program Director

Who this Program is for

Degree Required Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution - Any field of study	Minimum GPA 3.0 undergraduate GPA - reviewed holistically
Experience 2+ Years professional experience in your field - candidates with fewer years reviewed holistically	Prior Technical Background Not Required No prior coding or computer science background necessary
GRE/GMAT Not Required No test scores required as a part of the application process	Intakes Fall & Spring rolling review - applications accepted year round

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a background in computer science or coding to apply?

No. The Vanderbilt College of Connected Computing MS in Artificial Intelligence was designed specifically for professionals with a wide range of backgrounds, from technical to non technical. The program is built for working professionals who aspire to lead organizations, not engineers who build software. Every course is taught with the assumption that you bring domain expertise, not a technical degree.
How long is each course?

Each course runs eight weeks. The program is structured in eight-week modules, allowing you to move through focused content in a defined timeframe without the commitment of a traditional full-semester course. Courses are available in fall, spring, and summer. Students who take three courses per module can complete the full program within two years. You control your pace based on your availability and professional commitments.
Do I need to be in Nashville to complete this program?

No. The program is fully online and designed to be completed from anywhere. That said, Vanderbilt CCC hosts an optional on-campus convening in Nashville every fall and spring semester. This gathering is an opportunity to connect in person with your fellow students, meet the broader CCC community, and experience Vanderbilt's campus firsthand. It is not required but it is one of the ways this program is intentionally built around connection.
How much time should I expect to commit each week?

Most students commit roughly 4 hours per week per course outside of their synchronous session. If you are taking two courses in a semester, expect approximately 8 to 10 hours per week in addition to your live class time. The program is designed to be completed while working full time. You control your pace and may take more or fewer courses depending on your availability.
I have fewer than two years of professional experience. Can I still apply?

The program recommends two or more years of professional experience. Candidates with fewer years are encouraged to apply and will be reviewed individually. Demonstrated excellence in your field, a clear professional trajectory, and a compelling case for how this program advances your work can all strengthen an application that falls below the recommended threshold. We review every candidate on the full picture of their professional experience, not years alone.
How much does this program cost?

Tuition for the MS in Artificial Intelligence is charged on a per-credit-hour basis, consistent with Vanderbilt's graduate tuition structure. The program totals 30 credit hours across 20 courses. For the 2026–27 academic year, that works out to $3,729 per course, or $74,580 in total tuition for the full program. Eligible inaugural cohort members may receive the CCC Inaugural Scholarship, a merit-based award that meaningfully lowers that amount. Request information to learn what you may qualify for.
Students also pay a one-time $800 convening fee in their first year, which supports the on-campus convening experience in Nashville.
Current tuition and fee rates for all Vanderbilt graduate and professional programs can be viewed here.
Are merit awards or scholarships available?

Yes. Vanderbilt CCC is committed to investing in the professionals who will lead the AI era. Inaugural cohort members are eligible for merit awards that significantly reduce tuition. Awards are determined based on the strength of your candidacy. Fill out the information form and a member of the enrollment team will reach out to you to discuss what you may qualify for.
Is federal financial aid available for this program?

This program is currently in the process of applying for Title IV federal funding eligibility. Students enrolling in Fall 2026 will not be eligible for federal financial aid. We encourage you to speak with an advisor about merit award opportunities and employer tuition support resources available through the program.
How do I make the case to my employer for tuition support?

Many employers offer tuition reimbursement programs that cover professional graduate education, and at $3,729 per course the per-semester ask is manageable for most organizations. Vanderbilt CCC provides a downloadable reimbursement letter template to help you frame the conversation. Schedule a meeting with an enrollment advisor and we will walk you through everything you need to make the ask with confidence.
Will my degree certificate reflect that this is an online program?

No. Your Vanderbilt degree will read the same as a degree earned on campus. There is no online designation on the certificate.

Online MS in Artificial Intelligence