Artificial Intelligence, PhD
Acquire the technical expertise necessary for leadership in the design, analysis and development of artificial intelligence systems. Cultivate the capability to enhance both the science and application of creating reliable AI systems alongside a highly active team of internationally recognized AI faculty.
Quick facts
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Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
The Doctor of Philosophy program in artificial intelligence trains you to conduct original and impactful research in AI. The program helps you develop proficiency in both theoretical and practical AI research aimed at enabling you to independently analyze, evaluate and invent new concepts for designing efficient and reliable AI systems.
You have the opportunity to work with highly active faculty research groups, gaining expertise in the cutting-edge of AI while simultaneously developing the skills to invent and deploy novel AI algorithms and systems. The curriculum encompasses a core of foundational courses in AI, complemented by electives from three prominent AI streams: statistical learning; embodied AI, cognition and perception; and reasoning and decision making. Furthermore, you learn how to conduct original research, culminating in a research-oriented dissertation that advances knowledge in the field of AI.
As a graduate, you will be able to develop new AI paradigms, applications and systems, and advance knowledge of the field itself.
GI Bill® benefits
This new program is not yet approved for use with GI Bill® benefits.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
84 credit hours, an oral comprehensive exam, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (6 credit hours) Other Requirements (12 credit hours) Electives and Research (36 credit hours) Research (18 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
CSE 551 Foundations of Algorithms (3)
CSE 555 Theory of Computation (3)
CSE 571 Artificial Intelligence (3)
CSE 792 Research (18)
CSE 799 Dissertation (12)
Students complete two of the core courses for a total of six credit hours. Eighteen credit hours of CSE 792 Research are required, and up to 54 credit hours are allowed on the plan of study. Students with research credit hours in excess of 18 add these credit hours to their electives and research coursework. To obtain a complete list of coursework for the other requirements and the electives and research sections, students should consult their program advisors.
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, mathematics, electrical engineering or a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = ''A'') in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = ''A'') in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants are required to submit: Additional Admission Information The application does not require GRE scores, although they are considered if submitted. ASU does not accept the GRE® General Test at home edition. The personal statement should be one to two pages, and focus on the candidates' intended area of research and their academic background. At least two letters of recommendation should be from academic references. If the student is assigned any additional foundational coursework upon admission, those classes must be completed with a grade of "B" (scale is 4.00 = "A") or higher within two semesters of admission to the program. These additional foundational courses do not apply to the total credit hours required to complete the degree program. Applicants are expected to have foundational coursework in the following topics:
An applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language with a TOEFL iBT® score of 4.5, or 90 (taken at a testing center) if taken before January 21, 2026; 7 on the IELTS or 115 on the Duolingo English test, regardless of current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/31 | Priority* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 08/01 | Priority* |
*A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space-available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Admission Services.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Graduates with a doctoral degree in artificial intelligence are able to pursue a wide range of careers with roles such as:
- AI consultant
- AI engineer
- AI researcher
- ML researcher
- NLP specialist
- robotics researcher
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Computer Science and Engineering Program
|
CTRPT 105
scai.grad.admission@asu.edu
480-965-3199
Admission deadlines
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
