The next semester of this program will begin in August 2025. Specific class times for this certificate will be announced shortly before the start date.

The certificate can be completed in 3 semesters or approximately 12 months.

This certificate includes 4 graduate-level and credit-bearing courses taught by faculty from CMU’s Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.

All students start with AI Foundations + their first full course (which varies by semester). Once you complete those two courses, it’s up to you if you want to complete the remaining courses. If you complete them all, you will earn a certificate of completion. For any courses you complete, your transcript will show credit and the grade earned. 

The courses are delivered 100% online. Every other week, you will attend at least one scheduled live-online class (in the evening) with a CMU professor. Complementary learning activities will be completed on your own time to enhance the class discussions.

The certificate includes four graduate-level courses (3 units or 7 units each) for a total of 24 units. This equates to approximately 8 academic credits at other institutions.

Successful applicants will have a bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited college or university and ideally ~5 or more years of work experience as a manager, policymaker, or non-profit leader within the private or public sector.

Ideal applicants will have at least 5 years of work experience as a manager, policymaker, or non-profit leader within the private or public sector. However, applicants with compelling backgrounds or purpose for learning will be considered.  

Besides the online application, applicants must submit a current resume, transcripts and a statement of purpose to be considered for enrollment.

No, this program does not require an application fee.

All applicants who submit by the priority deadline of July 16, 2025 will receive a partial scholarship award. The final deadline to apply is July 30, 2025.

You can view the status of your application at any time in the application portal. A decision letter from Carnegie Mellon will be sent through the application portal within a few weeks of submitting your online application.

You’ll receive a decision letter within a few weeks of submitting your application.

No, a deposit is not required to secure your spot in the program.

The total investment for the Managing AI Systems certificate during the 2025-2026 academic year is $16,968. A breakdown of the tuition and fees can be found on the Tuition page. Partial scholarships are available; all applicants who apply by the priority deadline of July 16, 2025 will receive a partial scholarship award. Carnegie Mellon alumni are eligible for a scholarship to the Graduate Certificate in Managing AI Systems worth up to 20% of tuition.

Yes. CMU offers a limited number of partial scholarships for admitted Managing AI Systems students. All applicants who apply by the priority deadline of July 16, 2025 will receive a partial scholarship award. Carnegie Mellon alumni are eligible for a scholarship to the Graduate Certificate in Managing AI Systems worth up to 20% of tuition.

Yes. CMU provides a monthly payment option, managed by Nelnet Campus Commerce, that is designed to help students spread out tuition payments into manageable monthly installments. This plan also offers the ease of online enrollment. If you are admitted into the program and choose to join us, we recommend registering for this plan early to fully benefit from the range of payment options available.

At this time, students pursuing a graduate certificate are not eligible to receive federal financial aid. However, private loans are a viable alternative to consider with competitive interest rates and borrower benefits. See FastChoice, a free loan comparison service to easily research options.

Many companies offer tuition reimbursement programs to foster professional development among their employees. We encourage you to contact your HR department to find out if similar opportunities exist at your workplace.

When you speak to your employer, be sure to tell them that our program: 

• Consists of four transcripted, credit-bearing courses (not just continuing education units) taught by expert Carnegie Mellon professors from the nationally-ranked Heinz College of Information Systems & Public Policy.

• Equips you with the technical knowledge to understand AI fundamentals, the communication skills to translate ‘all things AI’ for various stakeholders, and the confidence to manage AI effectively at the enterprise level.

• Includes customizable, hands-on projects that allow you to practice core concepts. At the end of the certificate, you’ll have a portfolio of tangible artifacts you can use to provide evidence of content mastery or as models for future AI implementation.

• Is delivered completely online, which means you can take classes on your own time while maintaining your normal work schedule.

Yes, the Graduate Certificate in Managing AI Systems is eligible for CMU tuition remission. See the CMU tuition remission policy to check your eligibility.

Carnegie Mellon University provides services to veterans and their dependents who are eligible for Veterans Education Benefits under the Montgomery G.I. Bill®, Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program. Please note, our online graduate certificates are not currently eligible for the Yellow Ribbon program. 

The process starts with an application directly to Veterans Affairs and once approved, you will provide your Certificate of Eligibility to the Carnegie Mellon Veterans Affairs Coordinator. Contact Information and additional details about the process can be found here. 

Students eligible for GI Bill funding may receive scholarship awards prior to full GI Bill funding confirmation. Scholarship awards will be adjusted to reflect GI Bill funding and cannot exceed the cost of tuition/fees.