The AI surge is rolling on in Mississippi, with Belhaven announcing Monday that they will soon offer the state’s first fully online master’s in artificial intelligence.
The Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence will be a 10-course program designed to enable working professionals to achieve the degree part-time.
Each class will span seven weeks and will “prepare students for high-demand roles in technology, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and more,” according to a release from the university.
Belhaven announced the new opportunity for students following the state government’s launch of its “AI talent accelerator program,” which funneled millions in subsidies to multiple colleges and universities for AI-related projects. Gov. Tate Reeves announced in June that Belhaven would receive $390,000 to “hire a dedicated AI program chair and integrate AI content into its online MBA curriculum to ensure working professionals have practical, industry-aligned AI skills.”
“This new Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence couldn’t come at a more pivotal time,” Dr. Brett Andrews, dean of Belhaven’s School of Business, said.
“As Mississippi makes landmark investments – over $37 million in AI education grants, an NVIDIA partnership to train 10,000 residents, billions of dollars in outside investments into data center construction, and targeted state policies to grow AI talent – it’s clear we’re laying the foundation for the next generation of tech leaders.”
The courses will include hands-on experience with tech industry-standard tools like Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and more. A real-world business challenge will be the capstone project, allowing students to apply their new skills.
Belhaven officials noted that graduates of the program will be uniquely equipped to succeed in burgeoning roles like AI specialists, machine learning engineers, natural language processing engineers, business intelligence analysts, and more.
“With this degree, students aren’t just preparing for a successful career, they’re stepping into roles shaping the future of AI in Mississippi and beyond,” Andrews concluded.
Learn more about the Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence program here. Applications are currently being accepted for upcoming terms.
