When can I start the certificate?

You can start the certificate in either the Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters.

What will I get when I enroll in the certificate?

You’ll earn a reputable Ball State certificate whether you’re taking classes in a physical or online classroom. Ball State’s online certificates carry the same weight as those earned on campus. Your diploma will not indicate whether you earned your certificate online or on its Indiana campus.

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

You will have access to lectures and assignments on the first day of the semester.

There is no application required. You can register for courses after you pay the one-time, non-refundable $100 enrollment deposit and you agree to the financial terms. After you pay the deposit, you will receive instructions to create your Ball State account then register for classes.

Is financial assistance available?

No, Ball State University certificates are not eligible for financial aid.

Who can I contact with questions?

You can send questions to your Student Success Specialist, Jeremy Johnson, via cs.support@bsu.edu.

Certificate

AI Theory and Ethics

Build advanced skills in artificial intelligence, algorithms, and responsible AI with a flexible, graduate-level certificate from Ball State University. Designed for learners with foundational experience, this program prepares you for advanced AI roles and provides a direct pathway into a master’s degree.

Spring 2027 cohort deadline: January 11

This Graduate Certificate qualifies as credit toward the Master’s in Computer Science degree.

Enroll now Email me info

Enroll by January 11

Classes start on January 11, 2027.

Up to 12 months

9 credits, 6-9 hours per week per course.

Under $5,000 USD

$489 per credit, with pay-as-you-go tuition for each course.

100% online

Lecture videos, hands-on projects, and connection with instructors and peers.

Advance Your AI Expertise with the Theory and Ethics to Build and Lead Responsible AI Systems

Deepen your technical understanding of AI

Build advanced knowledge of algorithms, artificial intelligence concepts, and computational structures that power modern AI systems.

Learn to design and evaluate responsible AI

Develop practical frameworks for addressing bias, fairness, accountability, and the societal impact of AI technologies.

Continue your pathway to a master’s degree

Apply your coursework directly toward Ball State’s MS in Computer Science and gain admission through performance-based admissions.

Program description

Build the theoretical and ethical foundation needed to lead in the next generation of AI.

Overview

The AI Theory and Ethics Graduate Certificate is designed for learners who are ready to move beyond foundational skills and deepen their understanding of artificial intelligence.

Through three graduate-level courses, you will explore the mathematical and computational structures that support AI systems, along with the ethical frameworks required to apply them responsibly. You will gain a stronger understanding of how AI systems are designed, how they make decisions, and how to evaluate their impact in real-world contexts.

This certificate is part of Ball State’s structured AI learning pathway and prepares you for advanced coursework and continued progress toward a master’s degree.

Required background

This is an intermediate-level program.

Learners should have foundational knowledge in programming, data analytics, or computer science, or have completed Ball State’s AI Foundations: Data Analytics and Machine Learning Graduate Certificate. This background ensures you are prepared to engage with more advanced theoretical and technical concepts.

Skills you will gain

Advanced understanding of algorithms and computational structures
Core concepts in artificial intelligence and intelligent systems
Ethical frameworks for responsible and human-centered AI
Ability to evaluate AI systems for bias, fairness, and accountability
Understanding of AI’s societal and organizational impact
Foundations for advanced AI and machine learning coursework

3 courses, each worth 3 credits, for a total of 9 credits

Course 1 of 3

CS 602 Discrete Structures and Algorithms

Overview

Strengthen your computational thinking with the mathematical frameworks that underpin AI and machine learning systems.

Course 2 of 3

CS 626 Topics in Artificial Intelligence

Overview

Explore advanced AI concepts, including problem-solving, knowledge representation, and intelligent system design.

Course 3 of 3

CS 603 Responsible and Human-Centered AI

Overview

Examine the ethical dimensions of AI development: fairness, accountability, bias, transparency, and the real-world societal impacts of intelligent technologies.

Earn credit towards a Masters degree from Ball State University, offered 100% online.

Successfully completing the AI Theory and Ethics Graduate Certificate allows you to apply up to 9 credits toward the Master of Science in Computer Science at Ball State University. To be eligible for Performance-Based Admissions, you must complete the certificate and earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

This certificate is part of a stackable learning pathway that allows you to build skills progressively and advance into a full master’s degree without traditional admissions barriers.

Certificate

AI Theory and Ethics

AI Theory and Ethics Certificate Earn Credit Towards:

Master of Science in Computer Science (100% online)

If you are admitted to Ball State's Master's in Computer Science, your completed AI Theory and Ethics Graduate Certificate will count toward your degree.