2 Best AI Masters Degree Programs in South Dakota

The AI market is projected to explode from $40 billion in 2022 to $1.3 trillion within the next decade. The need for AI and machine learning specialists is expected to grow 39% within the next five years and will create 546,000 new jobs by 2028. Your search for an AI masters degree program South Dakota institutions offer positions you to capitalize on this growth. South Dakota’s universities provide quality post graduate programs in AI and machine learning options without the high costs of coastal institutions. This piece gets into two post graduate program in artificial intelligence & machine learning offerings at the University of South Dakota and covers admission requirements, curriculum and career outcomes.

1. University of South Dakota – M.S. in Artificial Intelligence

Program Overview

USD is the only public liberal arts institution in South Dakota. This shapes how the post graduate program in AI and machine learning approaches artificial intelligence education. The education blends state-of-the-art AI knowledge with strong foundations in critical thought, reasoning and ethics. This combination ensures you develop and deploy AI technology responsibly while mastering technical competencies.

The Computer Science Department participates in national research projects with millions of dollars in funding. This research involvement translates directly into your educational experience. You get access to faculty working on real-life AI challenges. The program prepares you for leadership roles in AI research, development and application in a variety of industries.

The AI masters degree program South Dakota offers lets you learn machine learning, vision, intelligent systems, robotics and agent-based systems. The curriculum also covers knowledge discovery, data mining and the secure, trustworthy, ethical and responsible use of AI. Theory pairs with hands-on practical experience throughout the program.

Coursework extends into applications in multiple domains. Data analytics with machine learning models, computational chemistry, physics, business, finance or health sciences—this program provides relevant training if your interests lie in any of these areas. The flexibility allows you to apply AI techniques to your specific area of professional interest.

USD maintains connections with over 180 student organizations. Several are housed in the Department of Computer Science. These organizations offer networking opportunities and professional development beyond your coursework. Graduate students pursue unique research and present at local and national conferences. They learn innovative areas that spark their curiosity.

You can apply for grants through the USD Graduate School each semester. Faculty and students pursue research in almost all academic departments on campus. Research forms a required portion of the program for many graduate degree programs.

Admission Requirements

The academic department, the Graduate School and the International Office for international applicants handle your application in a three-step process. No formal review takes place until the university receives your complete application, application fee and all required documents.

You need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field to qualify for admission. The Graduate School reviews your application and makes the formal admission decision. The decision and acceptance letters are then emailed to students.

International applicants must meet specific English proficiency requirements. USD accepts several standardized tests with minimum scores:

• TOEFL iBT: 79 or higher
• TOEFL Essentials: 8.5 or higher
• IELTS Academic: 6.0 or higher
• Duolingo English Test: 110 or higher
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): 53 or higher
• Cambridge English Test: 169 or higher
• Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE): 93 or higher

You receive an exemption from providing proof of English proficiency if you hold a conferred degree from certain English-speaking countries. These countries include Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom and many others.

You must submit one official transcript that verifies receipt of an undergraduate degree from an institution with regional accreditation. The issuing institution must send official transcripts directly to USD. Electronic official transcripts must be transmitted directly between institutions using the electronic transcript service authorized by the issuing institution. A transcript delivered by you or issued to you is not official.

USD recommends all international applicants submit a professional academic transcript evaluation. The university can evaluate most transcripts in-house, but processing times can be variable during peak application seasons. Professional evaluations should include transcript authenticity, GPA calculation and U.S. degree equivalency.

The university partners with The Evaluation Company (TEC) and International Education Evaluators. These partners provide evaluation services at reduced rates. USD reserves the right to request an official external credential evaluation to complete an admission decision. Credential evaluations are only accepted from organizations who are approved members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or the Association of International Credential Evaluators.

You need to submit letters of recommendation, though the specific number may vary by program. References submit these letters through the application’s CAS Evaluator Portal. A statement of purpose outlining why you want to attend graduate school is required. Upload this statement in the documents section in GradCAS.

A resume must accompany the application. A copy of your passport is also required for international students—specifically the pages containing your photo, date of birth, passport number, date of expiration and signature.

The application fee is $38 and is non-refundable. You must pay this fee before your application will be processed. Credit card payment is accepted at the end of the online application.

The deadline is July 15 for Fall 2026 admission to the MS AI program. Spring 2027 applications are due December 5. International students should note these deadlines carefully. Visa processing requires additional time.

USD accepts unofficial copies of English proficiency test scores, admission test scores and unofficial transcripts for contingent admission. Full admission is granted only after receipt of official documentation.

Curriculum and Course Structure

This post graduate program in artificial intelligence & machine learning requires 30 credit hours for completion. The program offers both a thesis and non-thesis track. This gives you flexibility in how you complete your degree. The specialization component requires 15 credit hours.

Machine learning and deep learning form foundational elements in your studies. Natural language processing equips you to work with human language data and build systems that understand and generate text. Computer vision courses prepare you to develop applications that interpret and analyze visual information.

Data science and big data analytics form another core area. You learn to handle large-scale datasets and extract meaningful insights using AI techniques. Reinforcement learning teaches you how to build systems that learn from interaction with their environment.

AI ethics receives emphasis throughout the curriculum. USD integrates ethical considerations into technical training as the only public liberal arts institution in the state. This preparation ensures you can develop AI systems within legal frameworks while following ethical standards and socially responsible practices.

The program connects to the 12-credit-hour online graduate certificate in Artificial Intelligence. Credit hours earned in the certificate may transfer toward earning your master’s degree. This pathway allows you to start with the certificate and then continue into the full master’s program if you choose.

Coursework prepares you to apply AI technologies that make use of information to enable automated business decision making. You develop programs for information extraction and interface with databases. The curriculum also provides in-depth knowledge of Internet of Things (IoT) with widespread usage in smart homes, self-driving cars and more.

Faculty mentorship plays a central role in your educational experience. You get the mentorship and opportunities you need to study topics that spark your curiosity. Research opportunities exist throughout the department. This allows you to work on projects aligned with your interests.

Tuition Costs and Financial Aid

The cost to attend USD varies based on several factors: the program selected, delivery method, where you live, employment as a graduate assistant, military or veteran standing and more. Tuition rates and fees are subject to change and set according to the policies of the South Dakota Board of Regents.

Graduate tuition for South Dakota residents is $7,118 per year. Non-resident students pay $12,768 annually. Residents pay $358.40 per credit plus a $57.55 GAF fee when broken down by credit hour. This totals $415.95 per credit hour. Non-residents pay $689.15 per credit plus the $57.55 GAF fee, for a total of $746.70 per credit hour.

The following table shows the complete tuition structure:

The SD Advantage program benefits new incoming graduate students pursuing on-campus programs. You qualify for the resident tuition rate if you have an undergraduate degree from a South Dakota Board of Regents institution and reside in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin or Wyoming.

You become eligible for resident tuition on on-campus courses if one or both parents graduated with a degree from USD. This benefit excludes students in law, medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant or occupational therapy programs. You can contact Graduate Admissions at (605) 658-6140 to discuss eligibility.

Graduate assistantships provide substantial financial relief while building professional experience. Individual departments award teaching and research assistantships. You gain valuable real-life, professional experience as a graduate assistant while enjoying paid employment and discounted tuition rates.

The affordability you gain through graduate assistantships and fellowships gives you valuable, professional-level skills that set you apart after graduation. You are eligible for an assistantship outside of your academic program if you do not receive an assistantship within your department. Administrative assistantships within support offices are also available at USD.

Graduate assistantships are competitive and limited in number. Only a small number of master’s level students receive a departmental award. Some departments include an assistantship offer in the letter of admission. Others make the decision at a later date.

Various funding sources exist for graduate AI students beyond assistantships. Scholarships and fellowships offer money that does not require repayment. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans allow graduate students to borrow up to $20,500 per year. Interest on this loan accrues while you are in attendance.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans are available to students enrolled at least half-time. A credit check is performed during the application process. You may still receive a loan by obtaining an endorser or documenting extenuating circumstances if you have an adverse credit history.

USD Graduate Grants are available, though applications far exceed funds available. Priority goes to students with greatest need. Applicants must have been admitted by August 1 and submitted complete financial aid application forms by April 1 to receive priority consideration. You must enroll for at least six units each semester to be considered.

Individual graduate schools or programs award Dean’s Graduate Merit Scholarships without regard to financial need. Students may receive up to $25,000 annually depending on the number of units for which they are enrolled.

Living costs in Vermillion should factor into your budget planning. The living costs include total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Career Opportunities and Outcomes

Employment of computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 12% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth stems from greater emphasis on cloud computing, the collection and storage of big data and information security, where machine learning forms the heart of AI.

2. University of South Dakota – Artificial Intelligence Graduate Certificate

Program Overview

Certificate programs provide streamlined entry points into specialized fields without the time commitment of a full degree. USD’s online Artificial Intelligence for Business Analytics Graduate Certificate offers exactly that pathway, focusing specifically on mastering AI applications within business contexts. This 12-credit-hour program positions itself as a practical alternative for professionals seeking AI expertise without pursuing a complete post graduate program in ai and machine learning.

The certificate emphasizes real-world business applications across multiple sectors. You develop essential expertise for improving patient care coordination in healthcare settings. The program also prepares you to optimize fiscal performance and address supply chain disruptions within production operations, all through the lens of artificial intelligence.

Proficiency in AI translates into harnessing cognitive technologies, which significantly bolsters decision-making capabilities across diverse domains. Your training focuses on AI technologies that emulate human-like reasoning, enhancing how you approach complex business problems. This practical orientation sets the certificate apart from purely theoretical academic programs.

The certificate addresses a fundamental shift occurring across industries. AI is pivotal in moving decision-making from reliance solely on experience to a fusion of information and experience. You gain knowledge to comprehend and effectively utilize AI and cognitive technologies to solve critical business problems.

Your background does not need to be in computer science to pursue this certificate. The program benefits professionals from various domains, including data analytics with machine learning models, computational chemistry, physics, business, finance, and health sciences. This accessibility opens AI education to career changers and professionals seeking to add technical capabilities to their existing expertise.

The certificate focuses on developing AI tools for multiple purposes. Machine vision applications include robotics and automated visual inspection systems. You learn machine learning techniques specifically designed for big data environments. The curriculum covers data analytics, Internet of Things implementations, and information retrieval systems where data may include web-based medical text and cultural heritage documents.

These courses take advantage of USD’s high-performance computing capacity. Access to advanced computing infrastructure allows you to work with realistic datasets and computational requirements that mirror professional environments. This hands-on approach ensures your skills transfer directly to workplace applications.

Credit hours earned in this certificate may transfer toward earning your master’s degree. This pathway creates flexibility in your educational journey. You can start with the certificate to test your interest and aptitude, then continue into the full AI masters degree program South Dakota institutions offer if you choose to pursue advanced study.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the certificate program requires meeting prerequisite requirements before you can enroll in advanced courses. Students need undergraduate coursework in three specific areas: statistics, calculus, and information systems. These foundational subjects ensure you possess the mathematical and technical background necessary for graduate-level AI coursework.

The Beacom School of Business recognizes that not all applicants arrive with these prerequisites completed. For this purpose, the school offers these courses both as online undergraduate courses and online graduate-level foundations courses. This flexibility allows you to fulfill requirements regardless of your previous academic background.

Challenge exams are also available. If you have practical knowledge in these areas through professional experience rather than formal coursework, challenge exams provide a pathway to demonstrate competency without taking full courses. This option accelerates your entry into the certificate program.

Your undergraduate GPA must meet minimum standards for graduate admission. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.7 on the conferred degree is needed for full admission. Alternatively, a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on all graduate coursework satisfies this requirement. These standards ensure admitted students can handle graduate-level academic rigor.

International applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency. USD accepts multiple standardized tests:

• IELTS
• TOEFL
• Duolingo
• PTE

The application process involves gathering specific documents. You need to provide official transcripts verifying your bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Two professional letters of recommendation are required. These letters should come from individuals who can speak to your professional capabilities and potential for graduate study.

A statement of purpose forms another critical component. This document should articulate why you want to pursue the certificate and how it aligns with your career goals. Upload this statement in the documents section of your application.

Your application must include your resume. International students also need to provide a copy of their passport, specifically the pages containing photo, date of birth, passport number, date of expiration, and signature.

The application fee is $35. Payment is accepted via credit card. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid before your application will be processed.

Application deadlines vary by semester. For spring admission beginning in January, applications are due December 24. Fall admission beginning in August requires applications by August 11. Note that these dates represent tentative deadlines based on previous year records, so verify current deadlines with the admissions office.

The university allows students to pay tuition fees in installments. This payment plan costs $40 per semester to enroll. For fall semester enrollment by July 31, you can pay in four installments. Enrollment by August 21 allows three installments. Enrollment by September 1 requires two installments with a 35% downpayment. Spring semester follows similar structures with deadlines of December 29, January 8, and January 18.

Curriculum and Course Structure

The certificate requires 12 credit hours for completion. This compact structure allows you to gain specialized AI knowledge within approximately one year. The focused curriculum concentrates on practical applications rather than comprehensive theoretical coverage.

Your coursework addresses AI tool development for diverse purposes. Machine vision applications form one core area. These techniques enable computers to interpret and understand visual information from the world, powering robotics, quality control systems, and medical imaging applications.

Machine learning for big data represents another curricular focus. You learn techniques specifically designed to handle datasets too large for traditional processing methods. This training proves essential as organizations accumulate ever-growing volumes of data requiring analysis.

Data analytics coursework teaches you to extract meaningful insights from complex datasets. You apply statistical methods and machine learning algorithms to identify patterns, trends, and relationships within data. These skills translate directly into business intelligence, market research, and operational optimization roles.

Internet of Things (IoT) applications receive substantial attention. IoT connects physical devices to networks, generating data streams that AI systems can analyze and act upon. Your training covers how to develop AI solutions that make sense of IoT data and enable smart systems.

Information retrieval forms the final major curriculum component. This area addresses how to search, organize, and extract relevant information from large document collections. Data sources may include web-based medical text and cultural heritage documents. These specialized applications demonstrate how AI serves fields beyond traditional technology sectors.

The program takes advantage of USD’s high-performance computing capacity. You gain hands-on experience with computing infrastructure similar to what professional AI practitioners use. This access removes the barriers that often prevent students from working with realistic AI implementations that require substantial computational resources.

Your certificate coursework prepares you for practical applications across various sectors. The curriculum design prioritizes real-world utility over purely academic exploration. Each course connects to specific professional applications you might encounter in your career.

Compared to the 30-credit-hour master’s program, this certificate provides concentrated expertise in a shorter timeframe. The reduced credit requirement makes the certificate more accessible to working professionals who need to balance education with employment responsibilities. You can complete the program while maintaining full-time work, particularly given its online delivery format.

Tuition Costs and Financial Aid

Annual tuition for the certificate is $8,512. This figure represents the cost for one year of full-time study. Your actual costs may vary based on how quickly you complete the 12 required credit hours and whether you take courses during summer sessions.

Beyond tuition, you need to budget for additional expenses. Living costs vary based on your situation, particularly whether you take courses entirely online or attend some on-campus sessions. Books and supplies add to your total investment. Transportation costs depend on your proximity to campus and course delivery format.

The following table breaks down estimated costs for international students attending the program:

Note that domestic students typically have lower living costs, particularly if they already reside in South Dakota or can complete the program entirely online from their current location.

The Office of Financial Aid works with you and your family to explore how you can make your college education more affordable. USD recognizes that graduate education represents a significant investment, and financial considerations should not prevent qualified students from pursuing advanced training.

Graduate assistantships offer one pathway to reduce costs. USD provides opportunities for graduate students to earn a reduced tuition rate in exchange for teaching, research, and service efforts to the university. These positions serve dual purposes. You gain professional experience while reducing your educational expenses.

Similarly, teaching and research assistantships connect you with faculty members working on active projects. You contribute to meaningful work while developing skills that enhance your resume. Administrative assistantships in support offices provide another option for students who do not receive departmental awards.

Federal financial aid programs are available to eligible students. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans allow graduate students to borrow up to $20,500 per year. Interest accrues while you are in attendance. Students enrolled at least half-time qualify for these loans if they are not in default on any federal loans or owe repayment on any federal grants.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans provide additional borrowing capacity for students enrolled at least half-time. A credit check is performed during the application process. If you have an adverse credit history, you may still receive a loan by obtaining an endorser who does not have an adverse credit history or by documenting extenuating circumstances relating to your adverse credit history.

USD Graduate Grants are available, though applications far exceed funds available. Priority for these grants goes to students with greatest need. Applicants must have been officially admitted to the USD graduate program by August 1 and must have submitted complete financial aid application forms by April 1 to receive priority consideration. You must enroll for at least six units each semester to be considered for a USD Graduate Grant.

Merit-based scholarships offer funding without regard to financial need. Individual graduate schools or programs award these scholarships. Students may receive up to $25,000 annually depending on the number of units for which they are enrolled.

Specialized scholarships for AI studies have increased by 25% since 2024, targeting underrepresented groups and advancing diversity in STEM fields. Many universities offer merit-based grants specifically for AI programs, with awards covering partial to full tuition. This trend reflects rising demand for AI professionals across all sectors.

Professional organizations also provide funding opportunities. The Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence offers grants for research and travel to graduate students in AI fields. Employers and leading tech corporations contribute by offering scholarships designed to cultivate the next generation of AI talent.

Companies like Google and Microsoft provide scholarships with competitive applications that often include mentorship opportunities targeting both undergraduate and graduate students specializing in AI-related disciplines. Proactively looking for scholarships tailored explicitly to AI or machine learning maximizes your financial support.

Combining scholarships with grants and federal aid is a strategic approach to funding studies in AI. Consult financial aid offices and relevant professional AI organizations early since deadlines and criteria vary and can be highly competitive.

Career Opportunities and Outcomes

Demand for AI and machine learning specialists is projected to grow 39% within the next five years. This exceptional growth rate far exceeds average occupational growth projections. Organizations across every sector recognize AI’s potential to transform operations, creating

Next Steps

South Dakota offers two pathways into AI education through USD’s programs. The 30-credit master’s degree provides detailed training to those who seek deep expertise and research opportunities. The 12-credit certificate delivers focused, practical skills to professionals who want to integrate AI into existing careers without committing to a full degree.

Your choice depends on career goals, time availability and financial considerations. Both programs connect you to a field that is expanding faster, with 39% projected growth in specialist roles. Credits from the certificate transfer to the master’s program and allow you to start small and expand later.

Take the first step by contacting USD’s Graduate Admissions. Discuss which pathway lines up with your professional aspirations.