M.S. in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI) Admissions

Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university, or from a recognized university abroad.

• A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
• A TOEFL score of 80 or higher (internet-based exam), OR an IELTS Overall Band Score of 6.5 or higher, OR a Duolingo score of 120 or higher. The English proficiency requirement is waived for students whose native language is English or who earned a degree from a U.S. institution. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request such a waiver. GRE is not required.

The following courses, or their equivalents, are required before admission into the program:

• CS 103: Introduction to Computer Science in Python (waived for applicants with at least two years of professional experience in the computing or IT field). Any introductory programming course using a third-generation programming language such as Java, C/C++, BASIC, or Pascal may be considered equivalent.
• CS 203: Object-Oriented Programming in Java
• CS 303: Algorithms and Data Structures

A mathematics background equivalent to two semesters of calculus (differential and integral calculus) is also required. At UAB, these courses are:

• MA 125/225: Calculus I
• MA 126/226: Calculus II

Online equivalents of these prerequisites may also be accepted if they provide comparable or greater coverage. More information about these courses can be found in the UAB Undergraduate Catalog.

CS 355/555: Probability and Statistics in Computer Science is also required but may be completed after admission to the program. The course may be taken at the graduate level and counted toward the MSAI degree.

Instead of completing the prerequisite CS courses, students may choose to take and pass a comprehensive examination offered by the Department of Computer Science that covers selected prerequisite topics. This option is reserved for students from the local area with at least two years of IT work experience and is not available to international applicants.

Alternatively, applicants may enroll in UAB’s post-baccalaureate program opens a new website to complete the required computer science background courses.