Artificial intelligence is embedded in the software systems that power modern organizations. Boston University’s online MS in Software Engineering for Artificial Intelligence prepares experienced and aspiring engineers to design, build, and scale production-grade systems that responsibly integrate AI and large language models (LLMs).
Designed for working professionals pursuing an online software engineering degree with a focus on AI, this software engineering program blends rigorous software engineering fundamentals, hands-on AI integration, and human-centered system design. You’ll learn not just models, but how to deploy them reliably, securely, and ethically in real-world systems.
Curriculum Overview
Coursework
Degree Requirements
Dates and Deadlines
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Requirements
Application Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree with relevant coursework in areas such as Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, or Engineering, or work experience in one or more of these fields.
- Professional experience is valued; applications are welcome from a wide range of technical backgrounds.
- No testing requirements (e.g., GRE, GMAT)
- Professional references are not required. You may include them if you believe they would be helpful for your application.
- There is no Application Fee (with a waiver provided)
How You Benefit from the degree in Software Engineering for AI
- Why Software Engineering for AI? Most programs teach software engineering, data science, or AI in isolation. This degree bridges them so you can ship AI in real systems.
- Integrate AI and LLMs into production software. Learn disciplined engineering practices for AI-enabled applications, including correctness, security, and maintainability.
- MLOps and scalable data workflows. Design data pipelines and operational workflows to deploy, monitor, and improve AI over time.
- Career-focused capstone. Complete a year-long capstone where you design and deploy an end-to-end AI-enabled application at scale.
- High-engagement online experience. Learn through a mix of on-demand content and weekly live sessions taught from the BU Virtual Studios.
Skills You’ll Gain
- AI and LLM integration. Integrate AI and LLMs into large-scale software systems.
- Engineering discipline for AI. Apply software engineering fundamentals to AI-enabled applications.
- AI-assisted development and code review. Evaluate AI-generated code for correctness, security, and maintainability.
- MLOps and scalable workflows. Design MLOps practices for deployment, monitoring, and iteration.
- Cloud deployment and release workflows. Practice cloud-based deployment and modern release processes.
- Trustworthy, human-centered systems. Build systems that are explainable, usable, and aligned with responsible AI.
W. Clem Karl
“The online Master’s in Software Engineering for AI is designed for working professionals who want to advance their expertise while remaining active in industry. Through flexible online learning and industry-relevant coursework, students develop the skills needed to design, deploy, scale, and maintain AI-driven, data-intensive software systems in real-world environments.“
Professor and Chair
Electrical & Computer Engineering; Biomedical Engineering; Systems Engineering