Online MS in Artificial Intelligence in Business

Students admitted to the Online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Business (OMAIB) complete the entirety of the program online through a series of four modules in addition to a noncredit, pass/fail orientation module (Module 0). The program delivers an innovative curriculum where students learn how to design the workflows and the workforce around the capabilities of AI in an organization. Students learn how to make AI work in real business processes—so performance improves, decisions strengthen, and change scales responsibly. This isn’t about collecting AI tools. It’s about envisioning and execution: redesigning processes, clarifying ownership, and building governance and establishing an operating model that hold up over time. Students who successfully complete the 32-unit degree are awarded a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Business.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, OMAIB students will be able to demonstrate:

• Technical Mastery of AI and Data Technologies: Gain fluency in the foundational layers of the AI technology stack—data management, machine learning, optimization, generative AI, and emerging systems—while constructing and operationalizing end-to-end workflows to address complex business challenges.
• Analytical and Decisionmaking Excellence: Develop strong capabilities in applying predictive modeling, simulation, and optimization to solve issues like classification, forecasting, resource allocation, and process inefficiencies, while balancing technical insights with ethical and managerial judgment.
• Continuous Improvement and Operationalization: Master the principles of problem-driven continuous improvement, designing and implementing robust improvement cycles, and translating experimental results into organizational processes through monitoring, training, and governance.
• Innovation and Adaptability: Lead innovation through anomaly detection, divergent idea generation, evaluation frameworks, and experimentation, ensuring alignment of transformations in workflows, governance, and strategic architectures with organizational goals.
• Strategic Integration of AI in Organizations: Analyze how AI reshapes strategy, competitive positioning, and organizational learning, while designing enterprise-wide governance systems, hybrid decision-making models, and adaptive learning architectures that integrate AI tools and human intelligence.
• Leadership and Collaboration Across Boundaries: Build cross-functional teaming, communication, and managerial skills to coordinate AI-driven projects, synthesize technical results into actionable business insights, and scale AI initiatives effectively across the enterprise.

Requirements

OMAIB Curriculum—32 units

The OMAIB degree requires 32 unit hours of coursework comprised of four, 8-unit term-long integrated modules in addition to a noncredit pass/fail orientation module (Module 0). The curriculum is designed so that students take one module at a time. After completing Module 0 (launch), students must take each module in order, completing Module 1 first. Each subsequent module cannot be taken unless a passing grade has been received in the previous module.

The modules provide an integrated perspective on the foundations of artificial intelligence and key capabilities needed to make management decisions in a complex, AI-infused global business ecosystem. Because of this integrated design, there are no elective courses and all content is delivered through the required modules.

Requirements

To earn the MS in Artificial Intelligence in Business degree, students must successfully complete the following:

• QST AI 700 M0 OMAIB Module 0: Online MS in AI in Business Launch (0 units)
• QST AI 710 M1 Module 1: Foundations—Minimal Fluency in Responsible AI in Business (8 units)
• QST AI 720 M2 Module 2: Improvement—Redesigning Business Processes and Workflows (8 units)
• QST AI 730 M3 Module 3: Innovation—Creating New Sources of Value with AI (8 units)
• QST AI 740 M4 Module 4: Governance—Accountability, Ethics and Developing a Sustainable Strategy (8 units)

Additional Information

Registration

Students in the OMAIB program will work with their Student Success Specialist to register for courses. Each term, students must complete the Intent to Register form to indicate their plans for the upcoming term (continuing to the next module or taking a leave of absence). From there, the Student Success Specialist will process the student’s registration. It is essential that students complete the Intent to Register form by the deadline indicated to avoid a delay in registration. Students should reach out to the program with questions or concerns about their academic plans or to change their registration.

To be eligible to register each term, all students must be in compliance with University policies, including having their financial account in good standing and completing the required University training on sexual misconduct prevention. Students can check their compliance status via the MyBU Student Portal and are responsible for maintaining their own compliance standing.

The following policies apply to students in the OMAIB program:

• Students will be registered for one module per term.
• Students are expected to follow a standard progression through the program, which requires completing one 8-unit module each term and maintaining part-time student status.
• Students who wish to enroll in a non-Questrom course must receive approval from their Student Success Specialist. Please note that registration for additional courses will impact tuition rates and financial aid.
• Students may only enroll in the OMAIB module courses in the Questrom School of Business. Students in the OMAIB program typically may only enroll in their required courses. Any student who wishes to enroll in additional courses must speak with their Student Success Specialist to discuss feasibility and approval. Any additional registration that is approved will result in new tuition charges and may impact a student’s part-time enrollment status.
• Students who do not enroll in a given term should request a Leave of Absence to indicate their desire to maintain their student status but not enroll in a given term. Students may be on a Leave of Absence up to one year (three terms).

Withdrawal/Dropping a Course

If an OMAIB student wishes to drop a course or withdraw from a term, they must put their request in writing. Students should refer to the University Class Schedule in the MyBU Student Portal for the last day to drop a course. They will work with their Student Success Specialist to determine future academic plans. If a student submitted their request in writing before the start of the term for which they had previously registered, the charges for that term will be canceled. If the term has already started, the student may be entitled to a refund. If a student takes a leave after the last day to Add a Standard Class according to the BU Academic Calendar, they will not receive any tuition refund for the term.

Academic Progress and Graduation

Academic Performance Review for OMAIB Students

The OMAIB program maintains the rigor expected of a graduate-level degree offered at Questrom. Each module (modules 1–4) is comparable to the workload of two individual courses, and students are expected to work a minimum of 15 hours per week to meet course requirements with commitment levels expanding up to 20 hours per week, depending on content and the student’s previous preparation. Students may also devote more time to learning and engagement as needed. This time commitment includes synchronous (live), asynchronous (self-paced), and teaming requirements.

The Student Success Specialists monitor each student’s academic performance at the mid-point and end of each module up until the time of graduation. An OMAIB student must maintain a cumulative Questrom grade point average (CGPA) of at least 2.70 (on a 4.0 scale) to be in good academic standing and graduate.

In addition to maintaining a CGPA of at least 2.70, students are expected to maintain a strong level of engagement by completing program assignments on time and engaging in online module components as required. Students who fail to achieve sufficient academic performance will be referred to program leadership and the Program Development Committee (PDC) for review. The PDC, in collaboration with program leadership, will review if a student’s performance meets expectations for continued participation in the program.

The PDC has final responsibility for decisions regarding OMAIB students with poor academic standing. The PDC determines whether students with poor performance will be withdrawn or permitted to stay in the program and, if so, what specific steps must be taken to regain good academic standing.

All students who are not in good academic standing after each module attempted, including the first, will be referred to the PDC for review. Students will be informed of their academic position via their BU email address prior to the start of the subsequent term or module. All students in poor academic standing must meet with their Student Success Specialist as specified in the correspondence sent to the student. If a Student Statement (described below) is submitted, it is due within five calendar days of the performance notification. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the tight window between notice and action and plan accordingly.

Based on the student’s Questrom CGPA, there are two categories of poor academic performance:

1. OMAIB students with a Questrom CGPA less than 2.70 but equal to or greater than 2.55 after 8 units attempted will be placed on academic probation. The PDC will take one of the following probationary actions: (1) written warning, (2) written warning with requirements, or (3) required suspension for one or two terms. The PDC, in collaboration with program leadership, determines the terms of the probation. The student will have the opportunity to provide a written statement concerning their academic performance to inform the PDC’s probation plan (see Student Statement, below). To remain in the program, students must make progress as outlined in the probation plan.
2. OMAIB students with a Questrom CGPA less than 2.55 after 8 units attempted will be informed that they have been flagged for withdrawal from the program. All withdrawal cases come to the PDC for a final review. As input into the PDC decision regarding permanent academic withdrawal, the student has the opportunity to provide a written statement explaining their academic performance (see Student Statement, below). A PDC decision for permanent academic withdrawal is final, and no appeals to the PDC beyond the Student Statement are allowed.

After all program units are completed, OMAIB students must achieve a 2.70 or higher CGPA in order to graduate. Students are not permitted to take additional units beyond the term in which they have completed their degree requirements in order to improve their CGPA or restart enrollment, nor can they withdraw and re-enroll.

Please be aware that your CGPA can also affect your eligibility for continuing financial aid, including scholarships and loans. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress (at least 2.70 CGPA) in order to be eligible for continued Federal Stafford Loan and private educational loan funding.

Student Statement

The Student Statement is voluntary, though it is strongly encouraged as it offers the sole opportunity for student input into PDC decisions. The statement is self-reflective and provides the student’s explanation for their poor academic performance. Students asked to submit a statement will be provided guidance on how to submit and the deadline to do so. The statement is the student’s individual work product and must be prepared accordingly.

Grades and Course Units

OMAIB-Specific Course & Grade Policies

Grade Grievances

Students in the OMAIB program will follow the Policy on Grade Grievances for Graduate Students in Boston University Questrom School of Business. Given the structure of the program, in these cases, the student is first encouraged to resolve any grievances informally by engaging the learning facilitator, and then the lead faculty member of the module, if needed. If the student, learning facilitator, and faculty are unable to arrive at a mutually agreeable solution, the student can begin a formal appeal with the academic faculty director of the OMAIB program, as outlined in Questrom’s graduate policy.

Incomplete: “I”

A grade of incomplete “I” in any module is not considered a passing grade, and students may not enroll in any subsequent modules until the incomplete is resolved. Incompletes not resolved within one academic term will be converted to an F per Questrom’s graduate policy on incompletes.

Retaking Courses

OMAIB students who do not receive a passing grade in a module must repeat the module and continue to meet the published prerequisites of each module in order to register. Passing grades in the OMAIB program are C– or better.

Admission Information

Admission to the OMAIB program is competitive. To review current admission application requirements, please visit the Questrom website.