Northwestern University Launches Undergraduate AI Major in Fall 2026

Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering will introduce a Bachelor of Science degree in Artificial Intelligence (AI) beginning in the fall of 2026, aligning with a growing national trend in AI education. The program aims to equip students with the specialized skills demanded by the rapidly expanding AI industry.

A Response to Industry Demand

The new AI major, administered through the Department of Computer Science, is designed to address the specific technical skills required in the AI field, which differ from the core curriculum of traditional computer science programs. According to Sara Owsley Sood, associate chair for undergraduate education at the McCormick School of Engineering, the program will focus on building, deploying, and responsibly using intelligent systems. [Daily Northwestern]

Curriculum and Structure

The AI curriculum will encompass key areas such as machine learning, natural language processing, and AI systems. [Daily Northwestern] Students will explore the breadth of AI, including advanced machine learning, theoretical foundations, symbolic AI, AI systems, human-computer interaction, and systems that navigate the world. A required component will address the ethical implications of new technologies. [McCormick School of Engineering]

The program requirements vary depending on the student’s school within Northwestern:

• McCormick School of Engineering Students: 48 units, including core requirements and AI major coursework. [McCormick School of Engineering]
• Non-McCormick Students: 18 units. [Daily Northwestern]

Students enrolled in other schools can pursue the AI major as a second degree. [Daily Northwestern] However, students majoring in AI are not eligible to minor in computer science or AI. [McCormick School of Engineering]

Expanding AI Education at Northwestern

Northwestern launched an AI minor in September 2024, available to all students not majoring in computer science. [Daily Northwestern] The university also offers graduate programs in AI. [CBS News Chicago]

National Trend

Northwestern joins other universities offering undergraduate AI majors, including Carnegie Mellon (the first to do so in 2018), the University of Pennsylvania, and the Illinois Institute of Technology. [Daily Northwestern]