What is the Graduate Certificate in Applied AI Fundamentals about?
The Graduate Certificate in Applied AI Fundamentals is a free, 15-credit, graduate-level program that equips professionals with the systems thinking, analytical frameworks, and applied AI skills to anticipate disruption, assess how risks cascade across interconnected systems, and respond with confidence. Across five online courses, learners gain practical experience using data, dashboards, and scenario-based analysis through globally relevant case studies spanning public health, finance, supply chains, energy, agriculture, and urban mobility — building the decision-making capability and competitive edge to lead through complexity across industries and professional contexts.
How is the Graduate Certificate in Applied AI Fundamentals structured?
The certificate comprises five graduate-level courses, each seven weeks long, for a total of 15 graduate semester credits. The courses are taught in a prescribed sequence, with each building directly on the last. Students should plan to dedicate 18-20 hours per course. Students can choose from two options through the course registration process.
Option 1: Courses 1 and 2 can be taken in parallel, as can Courses 3 and 4. If you choose this option, Course 2 will start one week after Course 1. Then Course 4 will start one week after Course 3.
Option 2: Courses can be taken one at a time in their prescribed sequence.
Courses 1–4 are prerequisites for the final course on ethical AI leadership.
How long does it take to complete the Graduate Certificate in Applied AI Fundamentals?
If you take one course at a time, the standard completion time is approximately 12 months. Learners who take courses 1 and 2 and then courses 3 and 4 in parallel can earn their certificate in as few as six months. The maximum time frame permitted to complete the program is 1.5 years.
What are the requirements for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Applied AI Fundamentals?
To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Applied AI Fundamentals, applicants must have a completed bachelor’s degree, earn a passing score on the admissions assessment, and submit proof of their English proficiency if they have not graduated from a college or university where English is the language of instruction.
As part of the application process, applicants must also submit a scanned copy of a government-issued photo ID as well as an unofficial transcript from their previous degree.
How can I prepare for the Admissions Test?
Learn more about the Applied AI Fundamentals (AAIF) Admissions Test and study materials.
Ready to Apply?
Can the Graduate Certificate in Applied AI Fundamentals lead further study?
Yes. The certificate is designed as both a standalone credential and a foundation for continued graduate study in more advanced areas of applied AI, including engineering, business strategy, governance, and compliance.
Can I take the Graduate Certificate in Applied AI Fundamentals and the MSc in Financial Engineering program at the same time?
No. Accrediting bodies have strict rules about how credit hours are defined, assigned, and overseen. When a student is enrolled in two separate for-credit programs simultaneously, it creates conflicts in how those credit hours are governed and attributed. Institutions cannot properly comply with accreditation requirements in that scenario. However, it is possible to take a for-credit program like the Applied AI Fundamentals certificate and a (not-for-credit) Lab at the same time.