What is AI?
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) program in the U.S., known as AI, is a new technical science that studies and develops theories, methods, technologies, and application systems for simulating, extending, and expanding human intelligence.
AI is a branch of computer science that seeks to understand the essence of intelligence and produce a new kind of intelligent machine that can respond in a manner similar to human intelligence. Research in this field includes robotics, speech recognition, image recognition, natural language processing, and expert systems, etc.
AI is one of the specializations within computer science. Computer science offers master's and doctoral programs, and AI is primarily a research-oriented direction in doctoral programs. Students admitted to doctoral programs generally receive scholarships.
Among the top 300 universities in the U.S., there are 26 schools offering 27 types of graduate programs in computer science (AI concentration).
Top 10 Recommended U.S. Universities for AI
01 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Requirements: 3 recommendation letters; GRE not required; TOEFL 600/250; it is recommended to use the department's separate online application.
Features: Offers master's and doctoral programs; belongs to the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, with AI as one of the research directions; fall admission.
02 Stanford University
Requirements: GRE scores; for PhD applicants, GRE Subject Test in Computer Science is recommended; no requirement for a computer science undergraduate degree but sufficient mathematics and logical analysis ability; 3 recommendation letters; TOEFL score.
Features: Fall admission; master's and doctoral programs; AI is one of the 9 concentrations in the Master of Computer Science program.
03 Carnegie Mellon University
Requirements: GRE scores; subject test scores recommended; TOEFL 250; IELTS 7.0; resume; 3 recommendation letters.
Features: Bachelor's degree holders can apply directly to the doctoral program, though most students hold a master's in computer science or a related field; the Computer Science Department does not accept master's applications; the university has maintained a leading position in AI since the field's inception.
04 University of California, Berkeley
Requirements: GPA 3.0; if the school does not use a 4.0 scale, no conversion is needed; 3 recommendation letters; TOEFL 570/230/68, or IELTS 7.0; GRE scores.
Features: Fall admission; conducts fundamental research in core areas while integrating related fields of cognitive science; master's and doctoral programs.
05 University of Washington
Requirements: Average GPA 3.7; subject test scores not required but relevant academic background recommended; 3 recommendation letters; TOEFL iBT 100 (speaking 28), paper-based/CBT 600/250; TSE required, minimum 55.
Features: Fall admission; AI program ranked top 5; many completed and ongoing research projects; master's and doctoral programs.
06 University of Texas at Austin
Requirements: Doctoral program: recent average GRE V644+Q787+A5.0, Computer Science Subject Test 823; TOEFL average 651/280; GPA average 3.9. Master's program: recent average GRE V639+Q781+A5.2, Computer Science Subject Test 757; TOEFL average 654/280; GPA average 3.68. Subject GRE recommended; TOEFL minimum 550/213; 3 recommendation letters; computer science background or relevant coursework required, work experience in computing cannot substitute for academic background.
Features: Master's and doctoral programs; department scholarships are only for fall-admitted doctoral applicants; has an AI lab.
07 University of Pennsylvania
Requirements: Computer science academic background required; GRE scores; TOEFL 600/250/100; 3 recommendation letters.
Features: AI is one of the doctoral program's concentrations, bachelor's holders can apply directly to the PhD; part of the School of Engineering's Computer and Information Science Department, which has a long tradition in computing and is the birthplace of the modern computer.
08 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Requirements: GRE scores; for doctoral applicants, Computer Science Subject Test recommended; TOEFL 600/250/100, those below 610/253/102 may need ESL courses; TSE score required, for teaching assistantship TSE 50/60; GPA 3.0, recent average 3.7; 3 recommendation letters.
Features: Fall admission; AI is one of the research directions for graduate students; offers master's and doctoral programs in computer science, bachelor's holders can apply to the PhD.
09 University of Maryland, College Park
Requirements: GRE scores; subject test recommended; TOEFL 575/233 (no sub-score below 50)/84 (writing 25), or IELTS 6.5 (no sub-score below 6); those who do not meet these will be required to take an English proficiency exam upon enrollment; 3 recommendation letters.
Features: Master's and doctoral programs, AI is one of the research directions; award-winning faculty; almost all admitted students receive scholarships; fall admission.
10 Cornell University
Requirements: GRE scores, Computer Science Subject Test recommended, only GRE scores within 3 years accepted; 3 recommendation letters; TOEFL 550/213.
Features: The department was established early; AI is one of the doctoral program's research directions; admitted doctoral students who maintain good grades continue to receive scholarships.
Program Curriculum and Career Directions
Core Courses:
Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning
Advanced Operating Systems
Advanced Algorithm Design
Computational Complexity
Mathematical Analysis
Advanced Computer Graphics
Advanced Computer Networks
Career Directions
Graduates of U.S. computer science (AI concentration) programs mainly find jobs in: research institutions (e.g., robotics R&D), software/hardware developers, university lecturers, etc.
Admission Requirements and Application Materials
What is MIS?
The Management Information Systems (MIS) program in the U.S. mainly teaches knowledge in two aspects: one is technical knowledge, such as software and hardware, various information systems, data processing, design, analysis, and application of information systems, and information systems practice; the other is management knowledge, such as management theory, strategic management, how to optimize the application of information systems through management, and how to effectively use information systems to assist in business decision-making and enterprise improvement.
Recommended U.S. Universities for Management Information Systems
01 Carnegie Mellon University
Program Focus: The program aims to cultivate outstanding leaders in IT management; the university has strong corporate and alumni resources, providing ample employment opportunities. The program is career-oriented, no thesis required; just complete the capstone project in the final semester.
CMU's MISM program offers three tracks:
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One-Year Track: For applicants with three or more years of work experience. The program lasts one year, three semesters, from May to May of the following year, at CMU's Pittsburgh campus, with an intensive curriculum. If students enroll in May, the internship requirement is waived, but if they start in fall, a summer internship is required.
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16-Month Track: Primarily for applicants with no work experience or less than three years. The program begins in fall (mid-August) and ends in December of the following year, spanning three semesters plus a summer internship, at the Pittsburgh campus. Suitable for fresh graduates and those with limited work experience, this is the mainstream track of CMU's MIS program.
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21-Month Track: A global program aimed at cultivating IT talent. The first year's two semesters are at the Adelaide campus in Australia, followed by a summer internship. Except for U.S. domestic students, international students cannot intern in the U.S.; only in Australia or other non-U.S. countries. Then students transfer to the Pittsburgh campus for the second year's two semesters to complete the degree. This program starts in fall, has the most courses and longest duration, and spans two countries, ensuring high teaching quality. Graduates can work in the U.S. or Australia.
02 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Program Description: Students can choose from four concentrations based on their career interests and plans: Data Science and Analytics, Data Security and Privacy, Information Architecture and Design, and Knowledge Management and Information Consulting. Each concentration has a distinct set of complete courses.
Tuition: $8,885 per semester
03 New York University
Program Description: The curriculum consists of 13 courses (39 credits), with 5 at the Stern School of Business, 5 at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, 1 IT project, and 2 electives, aiming to cultivate new talents and corporate leaders who understand both technology and business.
Application Requirements:
GPA: B or above in all business, engineering, and science courses
GRE Quantitative: above 85% (the official website has no other GRE requirements)
Recommended 1.5 years of full-time work experience
Basic programming ability (if lacking, the school offers a one-year preparatory course)
TOEFL: 105 or above; IELTS 7.0 or above
04 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Program Description: This program does not have a specific hands-on project; a 3-credit thesis is required. Students can choose from elective directions based on their interests and career plans: archives and records management, data analysis (big data), database design and development, human-computer interaction, information systems design and development, information retrieval, library management, knowledge management, etc. Each direction has recommended elective courses.
Application Conditions:
GPA: Based on past admissions data, average GPA is 3.5, minimum requirement 3.0;
GRE: Verbal: 50%, Quantitative: 50%, Writing: >=4.0;
PS: Before enrollment, an information technology competency test must be taken (mainly covering route tracing, command line scripting, word processing, spreadsheets, database importing, and simple webpage editing). The test can be taken multiple times in the week before the semester starts; if not passed, the corresponding course must be taken in the first semester (not for credit).
05 University of Michigan
Program Name: Master of Science in Information
Program Description: Under this program, students can choose one or two predefined focus areas: archives management, human-computer interaction, library information science, information analysis and retrieval, information economics, social computing, or customize their courses. Students must complete at least 6 credits of fieldwork (usually done through spring and summer internships). The program admits students from diverse undergraduate backgrounds like computer science, engineering, psychology, communications, etc.
Application Conditions:
Average GRE scores: V: 160, Q: 155, AW: 5.0; code: 1839
TOEFL (recommended): 100 or above, sub-scores recommended 25 or above; code: 1839, department code: 99
IELTS: 7.0 or above
Average GPA: 3.5; minimum: 3.0
06 University of Washington
Application Conditions:
-TOEFL minimum requirement: 9
-GPA: minimum 3.0;
-Average GMAT: 650; the school converts GRE scores to GMAT scores using the GRE Comparison Tool;
-Work experience not required; many successful applicants have no work experience;
- Information systems proficiency requirement: Applicants must demonstrate in their transcripts and experiences a basic understanding of IT knowledge (databases, data networks, object-oriented development environments, etc.);
- Video interview: After submitting the application, you will receive an email with instructions to complete the interview, which involves answering pre-recorded questions; must be completed before the deadline.
07 University of California, Berkeley
Program Description: The program emphasizes interdisciplinary study, such as computer science, cognitive science, psychology, sociology, economics, business, law, library/information studies, and communications. There is no specific undergraduate background requirement; humanities and arts majors can also apply. Approximately 50 students are admitted each year.
Application Conditions:
Preferably two or more years of work experience, but not required;
Emphasis is placed on the SOP's articulation of future career plans, reasons for applying, and plans at UC-Berkeley;
Applicants must submit a Programming Competency Statement, similar to a resume, including proficient programming languages, describing skill levels, and providing a brief description of relevant completed courses;
Proficiency in object-oriented programming languages (Python, C++, Java); VB, C, and SQL are not considered;
GRE preferred, high percentile (80 or 90%) in all sections;
Cost: Tuition $65,512
08 Texas A&M University
Program Introduction: This is a two-semester program (fall entry), requiring 36 credits.
Suitable undergraduate backgrounds: information systems, engineering, business, mathematics, science, etc.
Application Conditions:
TOEFL minimum 100
IELTS minimum 6.0
GRE Verbal minimum 146
GMAT Verbal minimum 22
Tuition: $44,000
09 Arizona State University
Program Introduction: A one-year program with 10 courses, training students to apply information systems, data analysis, and emerging technologies to business operations and decision-making.
Prerequisites: Statistics and programming languages (college courses or relevant experience accepted)
Application Conditions:
TOEFL 80
IELTS 6.5
Program Curriculum and Career Directions
Learning Content
Students can mainly choose from the following four directions based on their career interests and plans: Data Science and Analytics, Data Security and Privacy, Information Architecture and Design, Knowledge Management and Information Consulting, each with a distinct set of complete courses.
Career Directions
Common positions for graduates include system analysts in information systems, finance, or operations functions, IT managers, and technical personnel within and outside the IT industry.
Graduates have found employment in a wide range of fields, such as IT companies, healthcare, universities, social media, libraries, and consulting firms.
Related Programs
Texas A&M University
MS Management Information Systems (MS-MIS)
Arizona State University
Master of Science in Information Management (MSIM)
University of California, Berkeley
Master of Information Management and Systems (MIMS)
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
Master of Information Systems Management (MISM)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Master of Science in Information Science
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