Artificial intelligence existed as both a subfield of computing and a cultural phenomenon long before ChatGPT entered the lexicon in November of 2022. While AI may be decades old, its impact on the way we work, the way we learn and, indeed, the way we live clearly has been accelerating in recent years. What isn’t clear is what comes next; regardless, a growing number of professionals across a range of industries will need the ability to understand, leverage and integrate AI and machine learning as part of their work.
Starting this fall, one option for gaining the necessary knowledge and skills will be the Allen School’s stackable Graduate Certificate in Modern AI Methods, a new part-time evening program designed with the needs of working professionals in mind.
“This new curriculum provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and build their knowledge of best practices when it comes to widely-used AI and machine learning methods,” said instructor Taylor Kessler Faulkner. “Professionals in a wide range of fields who are interested in applying AI and ML techniques in their work will benefit from this certificate.”
That curriculum comprises four courses taught by Allen School instructors with deep expertise in the field, addressing topics such as deep learning, computer vision and natural language processing and their applications. The series culminates in a final, project-based course that invites students to put what they’ve learned into practice.
Although the certificate is geared toward working professionals, the Allen School also welcomes applications from recent graduates who want to develop their knowledge and skills in AI. Unlike many other programs of this type, the Graduate Certificate in Modern AI Methods will be delivered in person on the University of Washington’s main campus — which will provide students with multiple benefits beyond the course content.
“Students in the certificate program will have access to UW facilities and face time with faculty and the other students in their cohort,” noted Allen School professor Luke Zettlemoyer, who is also senior research director at Meta FAIR. “It’s a great opportunity for local professionals and recent graduates without a formal education background in computer science to take graduate-level courses in the Allen School.”
Course content will be available only to students enrolled in the program. The courses are designed to be taken sequentially over twelve months, starting in September.
For those with ambitions of earning a master’s degree, the stackable certificate in Modern AI Methods can be applied towards either of two stacked master’s degree programs currently offered at the UW: the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Engineering, and the Master’s of Engineering in Multidisciplinary Engineering. More stackable degree options may be added in future.
“AI is having an impact on many professions, both inside and outside of the technology industry, and that impact will continue to grow as new techniques and tools come online,” said Magdalena Balazinska, professor and director of the Allen School and holder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Chair in Computer Science & Engineering. “With the Allen School’s long history of leadership in AI, we embrace our responsibility to help students to acquire the fundamental knowledge and skills that will enable them to leverage the latest advances in their current profession or any new career path they might want to explore.”
While the program is likely to be a good match for individuals with a background in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) or mathematically-focused business degrees, holders of a bachelor’s in any field with the requisite math and programming skills are welcome to apply. However, for those with a degree in computer science or computer engineering, Kessler Faulkner says, the Allen School’s Professional Master’s Program is likely to be a better fit. Applicants can complete an online self-assessment prior to submitting their application to gauge how well their skills are a match for the certificate program.
The inaugural cohort will start in autumn 2025. The deadline to apply to be part of that cohort is August 1st. Learn more about the stackable Graduate Certificate in Modern AI Methods by visiting the Allen School website and also check out a related story in GeekWire.