Applied AI, BA

36 credit hours

The Bachelor of Arts in Applied Artificial Intelligence is designed to cultivate broad, transferable AI fluency across professional contexts, emphasizing the practical integration of intelligent systems into contemporary workflows rather than narrow technical specialization. The curriculum foregrounds hands-on engagement with generative and analytical AI tools, including prompt engineering, data interpretation, automation design, and multimodal content production, while situating these practices within organizational, cultural, and policy environments. Students learn to critically evaluate AI outputs for reliability, risk, and appropriateness, developing judgment that complements automated systems rather than deferring to them. The program emphasizes adaptability, preparing graduates to apply AI strategically across sectors such as business, education, creative industries, public service, and emerging fields not yet fully defined. Capstone experiences and internships require students to synthesize technical application with contextual reasoning, resulting in portfolio-ready artifacts that demonstrate applied competence.

Requirements

Major Coursework

15 credit hours of coursework from the following options. Each course includes hands-on applied components such as prompt engineering, automation design, and ethical evaluation of AI-assisted outputs.

CAH 20501 - Fundamentals of Applied AI Credit Hour: 3
CAH 30502 - Intermediate Generative AI Tools Credit Hour: 3
CAH 30503 - Human-Centered AI Applications Credit Hour: 3
DCS 36000 - Information Literacy Credit Hour: 3
PHRL 42500 - Ethics of AI Credit Hour: 3

Ethics Coursework

3 credit hours of coursework from the following options:

PHRL 21200 - Ethics & Human Action Credit Hour: 3
PHRL 21201 - Ethics, Media, & Technology Credit Hour: 3

Elective Coursework

15 credit hours of coursework from the following options, with at least 9 credit hours at the 30000- or 40000-level.

AAD 20300 - Adobe Certification in Photoshop Credit Hour: 3
AAD 20400 - Adobe Certification in Illustrator Credit Hour: 3
AAD 32500 - Adobe Certification in InDesign Credit Hour: 3
COM 10001 - Introduction to Communication Credit Hour: 3
COM 11000 - Public Speaking Credit Hour: 3
COM 20000 - Organizational Communication Credit Hour: 3
COM 21301 - Interpersonal Communication Credit Hour: 3
COM 22001 - Writing for Media Credit Hour: 3
COM 31501 - Conflict Management Credit Hour: 3
COM 32700 - Media Literacy Credit Hour: 3
COM 46010 - Communication Theory and Research Credit Hour: 3
DCS 35000 - Personal Branding Credit Hour: 3
DCS 38700 - Emerging Platforms Credit Hour: 3
PHRL 21000 - Practical Logic for Daily Life Credit Hour: 3
PHRL 21001 - Traditional Logic Credit Hour: 3
PHRL 21002 - Symbolic Logic Credit Hour: 3
PHRL 21202 - Bioethics Credit Hour: 3
PHRL 30000 - The Natural Law Credit Hour: 3
PHRL 30200 - Political Philosophy Credit Hour: 3
PHRL 30400 - Philosophy of Law Credit Hour: 3
PHRL 34300 - Free Will Credit Hour: 3
PS 20000 - Methods for Political Science Credit Hour: 3
PS 31600 - Global Environmental Policy Credit Hour: 3
PS 32100 - Nonprofit Advocacy and Public Policy Credit Hour: 3
PS 32200 - Social Innovation and Strategic Planning Credit Hour: 3
PS 32300 - Civic Engagement and Volunteer Management Credit Hour: 3
PS 32600 - Fundraising and Grant Writing Credit Hour: 3
PS 33500 - Public Administration Credit Hour: 3

Capstone Coursework

3 credit hours of coursework from the following option:

CAH 44444 - Internship Credit Hour: 1-6