Align MS in Artificial Intelligence
Break into artificial intelligence from any background and future-proof your career. In the Align MSAI program, you’ll begin by developing a foundation in computer science alongside supportive peers learning computer science for the first time. Then you’ll dive into machine learning, vision, intelligent interaction, robotics and agent systems, or knowledge management and reasoning. You can also opt for a paid co-op or internship through Northeastern’s top-ranked co-op program with one of 800-plus employer partners. In as little as 2.5 years, you’ll be ready to create human-centered responsible AI.
Join our upcoming webinar to explore the Align MS in Artificial Intelligence
- August 12: register now
Program highlights
Offered at these Northeastern campuses
Boston, Portland (Maine), Seattle, Silicon Valley
Semester hours, program length
44 total semester hours required; most programs are completed in 2.5-3 years
Start term
Fall and spring admission
Modality
In person or remote; optional paid, full-time co-op or internship
Career prospects and top employers for Align graduates
Demand for AI skills is high and growing fast. About 1 million new AI and machine learning positions are expected globally over the next five years (Final Round AI, 2025), and AI startups alone attracted $73 billion in investment capital in Q1 2025 — nearly 60% of all global venture capital (Final Round AI, 2025). With 75% of employers preferring advanced degrees for AI leadership roles (HR Drive), the Align MS in AI positions you for strategic, high-paying careers in the field.
Align graduates move into roles like machine learning engineer, natural language processing engineer, computer vision engineer, AI software developer, AI product manager, data scientist, and AI consultant. Khoury College connects you to a network of more than 800 employer partners for co-ops and internships, including Amazon, Ford Motor Company, Goldman Sachs, and more. You bring your unique background — Align helps you turn it into impact.
Khoury Statistics
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$156,998
Median annual salary for AI roles (Veritone, 2025)
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21%
Increase in worker wages for AI skills on average (McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook 2025)
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$100K-$130K
Typical starting salaries for machine learning engineer, AI product manager, and research scientist jobs (Research.com).
What distinguishes Align students for top employers?
According to Wayne Duso, former AWS vice president, it’s not just technical skills — it’s perspective. Align graduates bring experience from their prior careers in fields like health care, finance, and the arts into tech roles at AWS, Amazon, Google, and more, where diverse thinking drives real innovation. “They bring a fresh understanding — a fresh set of eyes,” says Duso. That’s the Align difference.
How the Align program works, step by step
Align MS in Artificial Intelligence specializations (may vary by location)
Paths: coursework-only or thesis
Machine Learning
Design, train, and deploy models for real-world needs, from risk prediction to recommendations, using modern ML pipelines.
Robotics and agent-based systems
Build autonomous systems — warehouse robots, drones, arms — that perceive, plan, and act in dynamic environments.
Computer vision
Teach machines to “see” for healthcare imaging, autonomy, and geospatial analytics — classification, detection, and segmentation.
Intelligent interaction
Create text, speech, and multimodal interfaces (chatbots, copilots) using human-in-the-loop methods and evaluation.
Knowledge management and reasoning
Represent complex domains and reason under uncertainty with planning and probabilistic inference for trustworthy decisions.
Learning outcomes
The Align MS in Artificial Intelligence will prepare you to meet graduate-level standards in computer science and AI via the academic bridge — learning methods and ethics together so the systems you build are safe, useful, and accountable. You’ll go on to:
- Understand representations, algorithms, and techniques used across the AI industry and academia and be able to apply and evaluate them in applications as well as develop your own.
- Understand the basic processes that an agent must perform, from perceiving its environment, making decisions on how to act and performing those actions, as well be able to develop and evaluate the technology that can be used to perform these processes.
- Understand and apply machine learning techniques to draw inferences from data and help automate the development of AI systems and components.
- Understand the various ways and reasons humans are integrated into mixed human-AI environments, whether it is to improve overall integrated system performance, improve AI performance, or influence human performance and learning.
- Understand the ethical concerns in developing responsible AI technologies.
- Model human behavior, develop human-AI systems, and evaluate their performance.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the use of AI algorithms and processes in one of the specialization areas: robotics and agent-based systems, vision, intelligent interaction, machine learning, and knowledge representation and reasoning.
Extensive support enriches the Align student experience
- A program that fits your life.
Choose full- or part-time pacing with a clear transition and support from master’s bridge courses to MS in AI coursework. - Career support built in.
Take advantage of resources such as co-op advising, résumé reviews, interview prep, and employer connections. - Inclusive community.
Learn with peers from 150+ academic backgrounds in a culture that welcomes every perspective.
Student perspective: Rajen Aldis
I enjoyed bringing my code skills up to speed, and then I enjoyed transitioning to the mainstream master’s part of the program … I did a data science concentration, so I did the AI course and data mining courses. I found it admirable to see the resiliency of people. Folks had so much going on, but still found a way to devote themselves
Rajen Aldis, Associate Director of Informatics Research at Cambridge Health Alliance
Program offered at these Northeastern campuses
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Boston
Located in the heart of Boston, Northeastern’s oldest campus is home to a vibrant community of students, researchers, and faculty working across disciplines to build a better world through CS.
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Portland
The collaborative nature of Northeastern’s Roux Institute in Portland connects students with corporate and governmental power players across the Northeast, and beyond.
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Seattle
The Seattle campus partners with industry, government, and academia to bring programs in high-growth fields to the Pacific Northwest — becoming a valuable part of the region’s economy in the process.
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Silicon Valley
Located in the heart of the tech revolution (and where it began), the San Jose campus offers students the opportunities to advance the CS field in a program known for industry connections and diverse work opportunities.
Align applicant FAQs
How do I apply to the Align MS in Artificial Intelligence program?
The Align apply page has everything you need to know about applying to the Align MS in AI program at Khoury College, including:
- Align admissions requirements
- Timelines and deadlines
- Resources and contact information
Do I need computer science or technical background to apply?
No — the Align programs were specifically designed for students who did not major in computer science or related technical fields. You’ll spend your first two semesters in bridge courses that build a solid CS foundation before diving into graduate-level cybersecurity coursework. Our faculty are experienced in teaching advanced computer science to beginners and are committed to supporting you throughout that transition.
How much does the Align in Artificial Intelligence degree cost?
Visit Student Financial Services for current tuition and fee information, and to find tools and calculators to help you estimate the cost of your degree, based on 44 required semester hours.
What financial aid and scholarships are available for Align students?
Pursuing a master’s degree is a significant investment in your future. Northeastern University and Khoury College of Computer Sciences are here to help support you in any way we can. From financial aid to scholarship opportunities to co-op placements and teaching assistantships, there are multiple options to help fund your degree as you work toward your goals.
Can Align students participate in the co-op program?
Yes, Align students can complete a co-op or other experiential learning experience. Following are eligibility requirements:
- Status check: Must be a full-time student, in good academic standing
- Preparation steps: Complete the Khoury Graduate Career Preparation Canvas course and Intent to Co-op Form (*Boston students) and PSA form
- GPA requirement: A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to start and continue job searching and to search for co-op tagged positions on NuWorks.
- Credit hours: Must be on track to complete 16 master’s-level credit hours before starting work. *Align students:
- CS 5004 from the bridge courses counts toward the 16 master’s-level credits
- CY 5003 from the bridge courses counts toward the 16 master’s-level credits
- DS Align bridge courses, do not count; you need all 16 MS courses to be eligible
- International students: Those on an F-1 visa must complete two full-time academic semesters before going on co-op.
Note: Students on academic probation or with unresolved disciplinary issues are not eligible for co-op.
What is the application deadline for Align?
Domestic
Fall 2026 semester: August 30
Spring 2027 semester: December 1
International
Fall 2026 semester: May 1
Spring 2027 semester: November 1
Faculty spotlight
Get to know the engaged, experienced professors who are here to support you every step of the way.
Bethany Edmunds
“Northeastern has a really important role to play in making sure that the decisions technologists are making for other people, and the influence that they have on everyday lives, are done knowingly and ethically. We think of it as a math problem but software actually changes people’s well-being.”
Ready to learn more about Align?
Get your Align MS in Artificial Intelligence questions answered
Find additional answers to questions about our master’s programs on our master’s FAQ page, or complete this form to learn more about the Align MS in Artificial Intelligence program. One of our enrollment counselors will contact you soon.