Morgan State University Launches BS in Artificial Intelligence
The R2 institution is reimagining its computer science curriculum to prepare graduates for an AI-driven economy.
Morgan State University has launched a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence starting this fall. The new degree equips students with the technical and ethical foundations necessary to lead in an increasingly AI-first global economy.
Offered through the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, the program is a strategic reimagining of the university's previous Bachelor of Science in Cloud Computing. The curriculum integrates 18 existing AI courses into a cohesive undergraduate path focused on the design, development, and responsible deployment of intelligent systems. To ensure practical mastery, every AI and machine learning course in the program replaces traditional lecture-only instruction with mandatory hands-on projects.
Advanced Technical Focus
The curriculum moves beyond basic AI implementation to cover high-level specializations. Students engage with advanced topics including quantum machine learning, reinforcement learning, and natural language processing. Additionally, the program includes a focus on agentic AI specifically for cyber threat detection, bridging the gap between theoretical intelligence and applied security.
According to Paul B. Tchounwou, Ph.D., dean of the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, the program ensures students graduate as innovators and researchers as AI transforms healthcare, government, and business. The degree received formal approval from both the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and the Morgan State University Board of Regents.
Institutional Pivot to AI
Founded in 1867, Morgan State is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution. This launch is part of a broader institutional shift to align academic offerings with the demands of a transformative era. This pivot extends beyond the computer science department; the Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management is also introducing a new interdisciplinary risk management course, MGBU 363, to address the systemic implications of AI integration.
Shuangbao Wang, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Computer Science, noted that the university chose to reinvent the entire program rather than simply update an existing one to ensure students possess the experience required for leadership roles.
Industry Implications
By emphasizing the creation of technology rather than mere consumption, Morgan State targets a critical workforce gap in robotics, data science, and cybersecurity. The move reflects a wider trend in higher education where institutions are rapidly pivoting curricula to meet the urgent demand for specialized AI expertise in the labor market.
Future Outlook
As the first cohort begins this fall, the university will monitor how this integrated approach to AI education impacts graduate placement in high-tech sectors. The success of the program will likely serve as a blueprint for how other R2 institutions restructure legacy computing degrees to keep pace with the rapid evolution of generative and agentic AI.