Syracuse University's School of Information Studies announced a new Applied Human Centered Artificial Intelligence master's degree program in a Tuesday morning news release. The major will begin accepting applications this year for the fall 2025 semester.

The program will facilitate projects for students to gain practical expertise and knowledge in the field of AI, the release states, like developing AI-powered customer service chatbots, virtual assistants and medical diagnostic tools, according to the release. The iSchool has developed new courses for the program's curriculum over the past five years.

To complete the Applied HCAI master's degree program, students will take 21 credits of required courses, including introductory data science and natural language processing, according to SU's course catalog.

Students will choose between three tracks within the program: data science, cloud computing and "self guided," where they may select any three electives that create a "coherent" area of study within the realm of the major.

Jeffrey Saltz, an associate professor in the iSchool who was appointed as the new program's director, said SU added the program to meet the growing demand of AI-related skills in the tech industry.

"Our students have shown significant interest in gaining expertise in AI, driven by the industry's evolving requirements and opportunities," Saltz said in the release.