Rice University Will Launch AI Master's in Fall 2027
The 30-credit-hour program will prepare students for AI engineering roles starting in the fall of 2027.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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Rice University has announced that it will begin offering a Master of Artificial Intelligence degree starting in fall 2027. The program, which is housed within the Department of Computer Science, aims to train students for roles in AI research, development, and engineering.
Why it matters
As industry demand for specialized technical expertise grows, universities are expanding their curricula to bridge the gap between foundational computer science and the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence. This addition to the Rice academic catalog follows the institution's 2025 launch of a Bachelor of Science in AI.
The new master's degree requires the completion of 30 credit hours over three semesters. Students will engage with a core curriculum designed to cover AI research foundations, with coursework specifically adapted to incorporate emerging developments in areas such as Agentic AI.
The players
Rice University
A Houston-based private research university known for its programs in engineering and computer science.
The details
The program is housed within the Department of Computer Science and focuses on the technical underpinnings of intelligent systems. Students will study AI research foundations, with the curriculum slated for ongoing updates to reflect progress in Agentic AI—software systems capable of autonomously executing multi-step tasks to achieve a goal. The program structure was recently approved by the Rice Faculty Senate.
Timeline
2025: Rice University began offering a Bachelor of Science in AI.
Fall 2027: The first cohort of the Master of Artificial Intelligence program will begin coursework.
The Tech Race
Rice University is positioning itself alongside regional peers like the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and the University of Houston in the competition for AI talent. This program launch reflects an broader institutional shift to formalize specialized graduate paths in machine learning and advanced autonomous systems.
Prospective students interested in careers in AI engineering or research can begin the application process this year. The degree is designed to be completed in three semesters, targeting a small inaugural group of approximately 20 students.
The takeaway
This program reflects a significant shift toward specialized graduate training in response to the rapid maturation of autonomous AI agents. Interested applicants should monitor the university's admissions portal for the official opening of the application window.
What happens next
Prospective students are eligible to begin the application process for the inaugural fall 2027 cohort during the current calendar year.
Further reading
For more on how local research institutions are shaping the talent pool, explore the Artificial Intelligence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Houston Public Media.
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