More information about this degree program can be found in the College of Engineering section of the catalog.
Steve Nordstrom, Associate Dean, School of Computing
Core Faculty
Steve Nordstrom, Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering
Ken Mayer, Jr., Assistant Professor of Computing and Information Technology
Program Overview
Artificial Intelligence has exploded in capability and popularity in recent years, disrupting many established industries and leaving urgent knowledge and skills gaps in its wake. It is critical that professionals in the modern workforce understand modern solution trends in AI, learn and grow new skill sets in AI tools, develop competencies in industry-specific AI solutions, and develop a deeper understanding of the impact that AI has on society.
The Certificate in Applied Artificial Intelligence explores the foundations and ethical impacts of artificial intelligence. A discipline-specific application course explores AI solution trends which solve problems and explore outcomes. Students can choose from a variety of specific industries- healthcare, business, education, liberal arts, engineering, entertainment, and more. Finally, students cooperate to build AI projects in an innovative educational setting designed to meet the needs of particular industrial applications where AI is emerging as the preferred solution strategy.
The certificate requires 12 credits of graduate study comprised of:
Required Core: 6 credits of core courses:
MSAI 5513 - Foundations of Artificial Intelligence (3)
MSAI 5553 - Ethics and Societal Impact of Artificial Intelligence (3)
One Discipline Specific Applied AI Course (3)
MSAI 5563 - AI Studio I (3)
The schedule and offering format of the courses in the degree are designed to better accommodate remote participants alongside an on-ground contingent of students. Course delivery formats are 8-week sections in Term-I or Term-II of fall, spring, and summer semesters which meet one night per week (Thursdays) from the hours of 5:30-8:00 pm. This gives on-ground meeting students sufficient time to travel to campus for face-to-face interactions, and on days when classes are not meeting it gives all students time to meet in small groups.
Minimum Credits
The Certificate in Applied Artificial Intelligence requires completion of 12 semester hours. This requirement does not include hours accumulated to satisfy academic deficiencies or prerequisites.
Projects and Studio Work
Individual and group projects are a required component of most graduate classes. Most group projects are facilitated with a combination of online meetings, emails, and phone calls.
Admission
Admission to the program is based on a combination of many factors, including undergraduate and/or graduate academic record, professional experience, an interview and references. The admissions committee also considers your entrance application essay, interview, and goals statement in the admissions process.
Eligible students
Applicants must submit transcript(s) from any prior institutions clearly stating the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. Preference may be given to candidates whose transcripts include a math course of college algebra or above. Students who are simultaneously enrolled in a graduate program at another institution must provide evidence of being in good academic standing from their primary graduate program and maintain good academic standing in it as well as the Certificate program as per academic requirements of both institutions. International students should refer to the international student section of the graduate catalog.
Application Process
- Application fee. A non-refundable $50 application fee must be submitted online with credit card or by check before the application is evaluated by the admissions committee.
- Coursework in College Algebra or higher.
- Two letters of recommendation. The references selected need to be individuals who are able to comment on your academic or professional abilities as well as your interpersonal skills.
- Personal statement of goals and purpose for obtaining the degree. Consider including such information as:
- How the university can assist your personal and career goals
- Why you are seeking a certificate in Applied Artificial Intelligence
- Resume
- Official transcripts from each institution attended. Please allow up to 4 weeks for transcript delivery.
- Health Form. Each applicant must submit a completed health form signed by a health care provider. (To print a copy of the health form, visit www.lipscomb.edu/healthcenter/forms.) This form must be submitted directly to Lipscomb’s Health Center.
- FERPA. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act affords students certain rights of access to educational records; even if you are independent of your parents, you must submit this form prior to enrollment.
- An English competency exam is required for international students. (See section titled International Students for more information.)
- An interview is required for admission to the program. Interviews are conducted by invitation only. The director of the Applied Artificial Intelligence program will evaluate each application for competitiveness and request an interview with those determined to be qualified applicants.
All application items should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions no later than 90 days before the beginning of the semester or term in which the student plans to enroll.
Forms should be emailed to gradadmissions@lipscomb.edu or mailed to Graduate Studies in Applied Artificial Intelligence, Lipscomb University, One University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204-3951.
Documentation
Students are required to provide satisfactory documentation of personal identification for off-site learning experiences required in many programs of graduate study at Lipscomb University. Failure to provide proper credentials will result in failure to complete the desired course of study. For complete policy, see section entitled Required Documentation for Off-Site Learning Experiences in the opening section of this catalog.
Academic Policies
Course Load
A student enrolled for six hours is considered a full-time student. A student enrolled for less than six hours is considered a part-time student. No student will be permitted to enroll for more than 12 hours per semester without special approval from the director of the graduate program.
Statute of Limitations
All requirements for a degree in the Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering must be completed within a five-year period from the time of initial matriculation.
Minimum GPA
The minimum cumulative grade-point average on all graduate education programs is 3.00 for all graduate courses taken for graduate credit while pursuing the degree. No grade below a “C” is acceptable. Such grades will not apply toward degree completion.
Appeals
Any exceptions to the above stated requirements would require approval by the Associate Provost for Research and Graduate Studies in collaboration with the Dean of the College and the Program Director.