Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Minnesota: Best Degrees & Colleges

Artificial intelligence has burst upon the scene in notable ways in the past year or so, but research on AI has been underfoot for a long time by professionals in the field.

No longer limited to just university-level research, AI professionals now find themselves developing AI applications for a wide range of industry uses.

A career involving AI research and development promises to provide rewarding opportunities. If you are looking to gain knowledge and credentials in AI as a Minnesota resident, keep reading to learn about the current possibilities.

Below, we detail some Minnesota AI programs.

Minnesota Artificial Intelligence (AI) Degree Programs

Although there aren't any Minnesota AI programs in the state, several accredited universities provide online certificates and degrees to residents of Minnesota with the use of distance education.

1. St. Mary's University of Minnesota

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, a private Catholic university in Winona, is home to both an online AI certificate program at the graduate level and an online master's degree focusing on AI.

• Online Artificial Intelligence Certificate

St. Mary's University offers a 100%-online, master's-level graduate certificate to provide data engineering and artificial intelligence skills to industry professionals seeking career advancement in the AI field.

Using a hands-on approach, the certificate program covers deep learning, data engineering, and the Internet of Things (IoT) as well as data collection methods and advanced programming languages and techniques.

The 12-credit program takes two semesters of part-time study. You can earn the certificate alone or apply the credits toward the Master of Science in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics (MS BIDA) degree program.

• Online Master's in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence

The year-long, 33-credit MS BIDA program at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota provides training in artificial intelligence, business intelligence, and big-data analytics.

2. University of Minnesota

In collaboration with IBM, the Carlson School of Management Executive Education program at the University of Minnesota offers an AI and Machine Learning Bootcamp. Participants also receive IBM certificates for IBM courses.

This six-month certificate program covers computer vision, deep learning, ensemble learning, neural networks, Python, speech recognition, and statistics, among other topics.

Students will work on more than 25 hands-on projects, including three capstone projects. Projects will align with specific industry domains, such as manufacturing, edtech, social media, e-commerce, healthcare, entertainment, or consumer electronics.

The bootcamp is ideal for analytical professionals who want to enter the field of AI or machine learning. It helps to have at least two years of work experience as well as a background in programming and mathematics.

3. University of St. Thomas

The School of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul hosts an online graduate certificate program in AI.

The Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence prepares industry professionals whose job roles involve managing the analysis of digital information and implementing AI techniques within their industries, including artificial neural networks and deep learning.

Students, who need experience with Python, will take four required courses in this program: data preparation and analysis, data analytics and visualization, machine learning, and artificial intelligence

The synchronous online classes are held Monday through Friday evenings from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

4. Minnesota Continuing Legal Education (CLE)

One additional AI program option is available in Minnesota, this one for lawyers who need continuing education.

The one-hour seminar titled 'AI for Workplace Decision-Making - Understanding the Utility and Risks', was originally presented on January 10, 2023.

The panel discussion includes experts headed by Victoria A. Lipnic, former EEOC Commissioner and chair of the AI Technical Advisory Committee of the Institute for Workplace Equality.

Minnesota's online CLE seminars are approved by the Minnesota State Bar Association for state-licensed attorneys but are not accredited college courses.

5. Colorado State University

CSU has two online degree program options in artificial intelligence.

The CSU-Online program is home to a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science with a concentration in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Colorado State University Global offers an online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. This 30-credit program has a flexible learning schedule.

6. Indiana University

Indiana University is home to an online Bachelor of Arts in Artificial Intelligence degree program. Through a problem-solving approach, you will study machine learning, bot development, cognitive computing, and robotic process automation.

The curriculum provides a range of math and statistics courses as well as human-centered computing AI courses. You would complete your degree with an internship, thesis, or project.

7. Maryville University

Maryville University, a private university in St Louis, Missouri, offers an 18-credit undergraduate-level Artificial Intelligence Bachelor's Certificate and three programs at the graduate level, all 100% online.

The three programs include:

• Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (33 credit hours)
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (15 credit hours)
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Advanced Artificial Intelligence (12 credit hours)

The school also provides a related Post-Bachelor's in Machine Learning certificate (15 credits).

8. Massachusetts Institute for Technology

MIT's Computer Science Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CS AIL) and its Sloan School of Management are partnering to offer a short online certificate course on AI for industry professionals.

The course is six modules of six to eight hours each, takes six weeks, and students earn a Management and Leadership Certificate in Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy.

9. Purdue University

In collaboration with IBM, Purdue University offers a graduate-level online program in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Participants will earn a program completion certificate from Purdue and online provider Simplilearn.

Taught collaboratively by Purdue faculty members and IBM's industry experts, this 44-week bootcamp features synchronous classes. Students complete more than 25 hands-on projects and three capstone projects.

10. The University of Georgia (UGA)

The University of Georgia, home of the interdisciplinary Institute for Artificial Intelligence, offers two AI degree programs: a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Artificial Intelligence.

The university also gives students the opportunity to earn an accelerated bachelor's-plus-master's dual degree with their choice of an undergraduate degree in either cognitive science or computer science linked to the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota AI Programs

What Is the Average Salary for Someone With a Degree in AI?

According to Glassdoor.com, the median annual salary for an artificial intelligence professional in the United States is $120,907 per year. Your salary will vary by industry, experience, and location.

How Long Does It Take To Earn an AI Degree?

The length of time needed to earn an AI degree is the same as for most fields: four years for a bachelor's degree and one to two years for a master's degree.

Is AI Really in Demand?

The quickening pace of AI job hiring is testimony to the increasing demand for AI jobs. According to Reuters news agency, the number of generative AI jobs jumped 20% in May 2023 alone.

Find Your Future Career in Artificial Intelligence

If you're envisioning a career in AI, then be sure to check out the Minnesota AI programs we listed above or degree programs in other states, many of which are online.