Meeting the fast-growing demand for AI expertise, the University of New Haven’s new M.S. in Artificial Intelligence will emphasize hands-on learning, ethics, and the development of trustworthy AI systems.
October 8, 2025
The University of New Haven’s new AI program emphasizes both technical mastery and responsible innovation
Artificial intelligence is transforming nearly every sector of society, from healthcare and insurance to advanced manufacturing. Recognizing this, the University of New Haven is preparing to launch a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in spring 2026, with the goal of training the next generation of engineers and developers who will lead this fast-and ever-evolving field.
“The demand for AI expertise is accelerating across industries, creating significant opportunities for skilled professionals,” said Vahid Behzadan, Ph.D., coordinator of the new program. “There is a huge demand in the job market for AI engineers and AI developers, particularly here in Connecticut.”
Dr. Behzadan explained that while the University already has a successful master’s program in data science, the pace of change in AI demanded a separate, specialized program. “It has become evident to us that a separate training program focused specifically on engineering and developing AI-enabled tools is not only attractive, but increasingly essential,” he said.
The new program will be offered in both on-ground and fully online, making it accessible to students locally and globally. Ardiana Sula, Ph.D., associate professor of practice in data science & computer science and co-coordinator for the program, emphasized that the timing of this launch is deliberate. “We live in the Age of AI, and the future will depend on experts who can drive insights, innovation, and transformation across every industry,” she said. “At the University of New Haven, we are preparing those leaders.”
According to Dr. Behzadan, what sets the University of New Haven’s program apart is its dual focus on foundational knowledge and real-world application. “Our program establishes a strong foundation in core AI principles while equipping students with skills that will remain relevant as the field evolves—not just for today’s technologies, but for future generations of AI,” he said.
Students will gain hands-on experience developing AI applications using industry-standard tools and infrastructure, working with both classical and cutting-edge technologies. Just as importantly, the curriculum emphasizes reliability and trustworthiness, key considerations in the ethical deployment of AI.
“The safety and security dimension of artificial intelligence is explicitly integrated into every course,” Dr. Behzadan said. “In addition, we offer dedicated courses that focus on the reliability, trustworthiness, and security of AI tools and techniques.”
Ethics plays an important role across the program. “The curriculum emphasizes ethics and responsibility, preparing students to design AI systems that are reliable, trustworthy, and socially responsible,” Dr. Behzadan explained.
“This is something that we find to be vital and critical for the next generation of the AI engineering talent pool,” he continued.
Now open for applications, the University of New Haven’s new M.S. in Artificial Intelligence program launches in Spring 2026.
The curriculum is built around applied learning and collaboration with industry. “All of our courses are project-based,” said Dr. Behzadan. “Students work on either a single running project throughout a course or on multiple projects, giving them get hands-on experience in applying the concepts and theory learned during classes.”
Students will complete either an internship, a capstone project with industry sponsorship, or a two-semester thesis. Each path is designed to prepare graduates for the realities of the workforce.
“For the capstone project, students will be working under the supervision of a faculty member as part of a team on a project that is either directly sponsored by industry or has been scoped out in collaboration with input from industry partners,” said Dr. Behzadan.
The thesis pathway, meanwhile, gives students the chance to pursue research and development projects with direct guidance from faculty and, often, external input from industry professionals. “The industry partnership and the real-world experience are central to the program, not add-ons,” said Dr. Behzadan.
The program is designed for students with backgrounds in computer science, software engineering, or electrical and computer engineering, whether through previous academic training or professional experience. The goal is to equip candidates with specialized expertise to develop and maintain AI technologies across industries.
Cross-disciplinary opportunities are also central to the program’s future. Elective courses will allow students to focus on industry-specific applications, such as AI in healthcare, bioinformatics, advanced manufacturing, or engineering management. “Students can take as many of those electives as they wish as part of their master’s in AI program,” explained Dr. Behzadan.
Dr. Behzadan expects the program to expand in both reach and focus. “Even though it’s very hard to predict where we will be in five years, I suspect that the cross-disciplinary nature of the program is going to be further emphasized,” he said. “Emphasis on the reliability and verification of trustworthiness and robustness of AI systems is going to become more and more important.”
The program aligns with the University’s broader commitment to AI innovation, including the forthcoming Center for Innovation and Applied Technology—a 130,000-square-foot facility adjacent to the West Haven campus. The new M.S. in AI program builds on the University’s established reputation in AI research and its leadership role in Connecticut’s technology sector.
The University’s AI expertise extends beyond the classroom. Dr. Behzadan is co-founder of the Connecticut AI Alliance, and serves as a regular contributor to state-level AI policy discussions. Faculty across the program lead active research labs that publish regularly in top AI venues.
“Our research groups are at the forefront of AI innovation, with recent doctoral graduates already making contributions to core areas of artificial intelligence,” said Dr. Behzadan. “This research excellence directly enriches our master’s degree curriculum, ensuring students learn from faculty who are shaping the field.”
Dr. Sula said she sees the program as shaping not just individual careers but the broader trajectory of the field. “Our graduates will emerge as tomorrow’s AI leaders, driving innovation in industry, advancing the frontiers of research, and contributing to society in meaningful ways,” she said. “They will bring the expertise to push boundaries and the judgment to guide AI toward solutions that deliver lasting, positive impact across sectors.”
“AI is all the rage these days and employers large and small will be looking to hire people who can develop AI tools customized to their own needs,” added Ron Harichandran, Ph.D., dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering and vice provost for research. “The launch of our new M.S. in AI program is timely, and it will prepare the future workforce which employers in Connecticut and the country will need to leverage the AI revolution.”
