Northwestern University will add an artificial intelligence major to its course offerings at the start of the 2026-2027 academic year, joining other universities across the country now offering this specialization.
The major is offered in the computer science department of Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering and aims to prepare students for careers in fields with high demand for AI expertise, including technology, healthcare, government and more, according to the university’s press release.
“We strive to prepare students for the future of a rapidly changing and growing field,” said Sara Owsley Sood, associate professor of undergraduate education in the McCormick School of Engineering. “The AI industry requires specific technical skills that differ from the core CS curriculum.”
The program’s curriculum will emphasize fluency in programming languages and AI paradigms, as well as the human and societal dimensions of AI. The major will also focus on how AI intersects with law, society and ethics.
Carnegie Mellon offered the first-ever bachelor’s degree in AI in 2018. Since then, other universities have followed suit, including the University of Pennsylvania and the Illinois Institute of Technology.
The specialization is open to all Northwestern students as a new major and a change in major. Students can also pursue a second degree in AI.
