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Graduate Certificates in Applied AI and Data Science Foundations
100% Online | Part Time | No GMAT Required
Build Powerful Skills to Apply Immediately With a Graduate Certificate
Expand your skill set and your resume with a 12-credit graduate certificate from Merrimack College.
Quick Facts:
- 100 percent online, live weeknight sessions
- Graduate-level credits are fully transferable
- Tuition under $10,000
- Complete part time in as few as 24 weeks
Tell me more about Merrimack’s Graduate Certificates in Applied AI and Data Science Foundations.
Two Graduate Certificate Options
Applied AI Certificate
Students develop a thorough understanding of the algorithmic foundations, training, evaluation and applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning as they pertain to text and image processing, data engineering and predictive analytics.
Previous coursework or experience in Python programming and basic predictive modeling is required. Choose three courses:
This course provides an introduction to machine learning on unstructured data sets, focusing on text and image data. More specifically, students learn current machine learning workflows and techniques for extracting critical insights and then apply their knowledge to real-world text and image data sets, typically in TensorFlow. The course includes an overview of these highly complex topics, focusing on the key intuition behind established approaches and hands-on application of techniques. Credits: 4
This course covers cloud-based AI systems using state-of-the-art, industry-standard platforms. The course also includes an overview of the process of creating Deep Learning AI models on cloud systems and the data engineering aspects necessary to implement such systems. Students build an online, trained AI system as part of the course project. Credits: 4
This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the big data processing foundation and techniques. Students gain an understanding of basic concepts of parallel computing, big data, Hadoop, MapReduce and Spark. They also develop skills to solve big data processing problems. Credits: 4
Data Science Foundations Certificate
This certificate is geared toward professionals interested in acquiring data literacy and developing the core data analytic skills to build or advance their careers in data science. No experience or prerequisites required.
Choose three of the following courses:
Students will become familiar with the field of data science, its applications and use cases. Students will learn relevant statistical topics with applications in data science. Credits: 4
Students will learn to write and read Python and R programming codes for exploring, summarizing and visualizing numerical, categorical, date and text data. Credits: 4
Learn to use industry-leading software to “tell the story of the data” by creating graphical summaries using Tableau and interactive dashboards using R Shiny. Credits: 4
Students learn about data capture-related rights and responsibilities, data governance design and management, data security and privacy, information quality and the ethical aspects of data access, usage and sharing. In addition, learners study operational and experiential aspects of data governance and differential privacy. Credits: 4
In this course, students study the application and validation of multivariate predictive models focused on estimation of continuous or categorical outcomes, emphasizing statistical bases of models. Credits: 4
Tuition and Financial Aid
Applied AI Certificate
$700
per credit*
12
credits
$8,400
tuition
Data Science Foundations Certificate
$700
per credit*
12
credits
$8,400
tuition
*Tuition based on 2025-2026 academic year.
Tuition and fees are subject to change annually.
Additional program fees may apply.
Financial Aid
Merrimack College remains committed to providing one of the most affordable online graduate certificate programs, ensuring students can access a high-quality, regionally accredited, private business school education at a competitive price.
As a graduate student, you may qualify for federal loans. We strongly encourage all eligible* graduate students to apply for federal financial aid, even if they don’t demonstrate an exceptional financial need. Graduate students also have the option of obtaining private loans and/or enrolling in an institutional payment plan.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Merrimack College’s FAFSA school code: 002120.
*Certificate programs do not qualify for federal financial aid.
Tuition Assistance, Scholarships and Discounts
- Employer tuition assistance: Many employers offer tuition reimbursement — check with your HR department.
- Alumni discount: Double Warrior Scholarships are available to all Merrimack graduates. New alumni automatically receive a 33 percent savings on tuition if they begin a graduate degree program within two terms following graduation. All other alumni (i.e., those with an earlier graduation date) are eligible for a tuition discount of 25 percent.
- Partnership discount: Employees of affiliated companies may qualify for discounted tuition rates. Partners include Blue Cross Blue Shield, Citizens Bank, Mass General Brigham, New Balance and many more. Contact us or ask your employer whether your organization is an official partner with Merrimack’s online programs.
Student Support Resources
Students in the School of Engineering and Computational Sciences benefit from a dedicated success team.
Support includes:
- Access to coding and LinkedIn Learning courses
- Personal student success coaching
- 1:1 tutoring
- 1:1 mentoring from faculty and program staff
It’s Easy to Apply Online
A complete application includes:
- Online application (no fee)
- Official college transcripts from all institutions attended
- Resume or LinkedIn profile
GRE and GMAT scores are not required. Additional materials may be requested.
Key Dates and Deadlines
This program enrolls six times a year. Each term is eight weeks.
Merrimack College
Accolades and Accreditation
At Merrimack College, we’re proud of our long history of providing quality degrees to students entering the job market. Our faculty are more than just teachers. We are committed to helping you grow — academically, personally and spiritually — so that you may graduate as a confident, well-prepared citizen of the world.
U.S. News & World Report | Best Regional Universities North (2025)
- Most Innovative Schools (No. 5)
- Regional Universities North (No. 39)
- Best Undergraduate Teaching (No. 19)
- Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (No. 94)
(at schools where doctorate not offered) - Best Colleges for Veterans (No. 15)
- Best Value Schools (No. 51)
NECHE-Accredited
- Merrimack College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Tell me more about Merrimack’s programs.