Rice University Will Launch AI Master's in 2027
The Houston institution will offer a new 30-credit-hour graduate degree starting in fall 2027.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
Live Poll
Would you pursue a formal university degree to prepare for a career in artificial intelligence?
Rice University in Houston will introduce a Master of Artificial Intelligence program in fall 2027. The university intends to train students for professional roles in AI engineering, research, and development.
Why it matters
The program aims to address the growing demand for specialized technical expertise in the rapidly evolving fields of AI development and research. By expanding its curriculum, the school intends to prepare graduates for high-level technical roles in the industry.
The new degree program requires students to complete 30 credit hours over a span of three semesters. The curriculum focuses on AI research foundations, with future updates planned to integrate emerging technologies like Agentic AI.
The players
Rice University
A private research university in Houston that is expanding its technology curriculum.
Rice Faculty Senate
The governing body at the university that recently approved the new graduate program.
The details
The Master of Artificial Intelligence degree will be housed within the Department of Computer Science following approval from the Rice Faculty Senate. Students will complete a core curriculum focused on research foundations, with coursework designed to stay current with advancements in the sector.
Timeline
2025: Rice began offering a Bachelor of Science in AI.
Fall 2027: The Master of Artificial Intelligence program begins.
The Tech Race
This program reflects the broader race among academic institutions to provide specialized credentials as artificial intelligence replaces older generalist computer science models. It aligns the university with regional peers like the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University in establishing dedicated AI pipelines.
Prospective students in the Houston area can begin applying for the inaugural cohort this year. The degree provides a structured path for professionals seeking to advance their careers into AI engineering and research roles.
The takeaway
As universities formalize AI education, students should look for programs that prioritize research foundations to remain adaptable to technological shifts. Developing early proficiency in evolving subfields like Agentic AI will likely be a key differentiator for the first graduates in 2027.
Further reading
For broader trends in education, explore the Artificial Intelligence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Houston Public Media.
Live Poll
Would you pursue a formal university degree to prepare for a career in artificial intelligence?
