Georgia College unveils 100% online AI Strategy master's degree -- no computer science background required

A new Master of Science in AI Strategy degree will be launched this fall at Georgia College & State University, which is currently accepting applications. The program, recently approved by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, aims to equip individuals from diverse backgrounds with the skills to leverage emerging technology in various business sectors.

Fouts Bros Inc. in Milledgeville is partnering with Georgia College to support this initiative. President and CEO Scott Edens expressed a commitment to hiring interns from the Master of Science in AI Strategy program.

Georgia College President Cathy Cox emphasized that this program is distinct from a traditional software engineering course. "Instead, this degree will give students a holistic understanding of how AI can help make operations more efficient and boost ROI across industries," she stated. "A business that is trying to find the right AI solution for its needs will want to hire a graduate with this degree."

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates a growing demand for AI-savvy professionals, forecasting more than 300,000 AI-related jobs to be created each year through 2034. The AI Strategy degree will consist of 30 credit hours and can be completed in a year with full-time enrollment. The curriculum will combine liberal arts principles with enterprise operations knowledge, ensuring students can effectively utilize AI technologies.

Dr. Ward Risvold, assistant professor of business communications and director of The AI Lab at Georgia College, noted, "The graduates this program produces won't just know how to build AI systems, they'll know what those systems mean, who they affect and how to make them serve human ends." The program will also incorporate hands-on experience with partnerships established with major enterprise software platforms.

Designed for working professionals, the master's degree will be offered fully online, accommodating those who do not hold a computer science degree. The program will also include opportunities for in-person experiences and study abroad. It is set to be administered through the university's Department of Information Systems & Computer Science, which is accredited by ABET and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, pending final approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.