Modern AI Methods Admissions and Eligibility
Application Timeline
Modern AI Methods has one admissions cycle per year, to begin the program in autumn uarter (late September).
| Quarter | Application opens | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn (program begins in late September) |
January 15 | June 1 (master’s applicants) July 1 (certificate-only applicants) |
Eligibility Criteria
Degree
Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree meeting one of the requirements below:
- A 3- or 4-year degree from a regionally-accredited college or university in the United States or an applied degree earned at a Washington community or technical college;
- A 3- or 4-year degree in a country with 13 years of pre-university formal education;
- A 4-year degree from in a country with 12 years of pre-university formal education;
- A 3-year degree and a 1-year postgraduate diploma.
Alternatively, applicants may hold a master’s (MA, MSc, etc.), doctoral (PhD, DPhil, etc.), or professional degree (MD, JD, etc.) from a regionally-accredited college or university in the United States or its equivalent from an accredited foreign institution.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Applicants must have earned at least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4 point scale) for those credits earned at the institution awarding their bachelor’s degree or at least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4 point scale) for their last 90 graded quarter credits or 60 graded semester credits. If you earned additional credits from an accredited institution after your degree, you may include these credits in calculating your GPA.
- For applicants who hold a master’s, doctoral, or professional degree, the total cumulative average from that degree course may be used.
The Graduate Certificate in Modern Artificial Intelligence Methods does not set a minimum GPA to be considered for admission and the admissions committee reviews eligible applicants’ complete academic histories rather than considering only their cumulative or “major” GPAs.
All applicants who are non-native speakers of English must enclose proof of their English proficiency in their application. For official UW Graduate School policy information, please refer to Graduate Policy 3.2: English Language Proficiency Requirements.
Applicants may demonstrate their proficiency in one of two ways:
- Having earned a degree for which English was the language of all instruction. Documentation from the institution that all instruction was in English is required, with the exception of degrees awarded in the specific countries described in Policy 3.2.1 (includes the US, Canada, Australia, and United Kingdom).
- Depending on whether English is the official or dominant language of the country in which the degree was earned, additional requirements apply regarding where the applicant physically resided during your enrollment.
- Providing official, valid scores from one of the English language proficiency exams listed below. Scores must be submitted to UW electronically and matched to the application for this requirement to be met.
- Official, valid TOEFL score of 92 or higher (if taken on or before January 20, 2026) or 4.5 or higher (if taken on or after January 21, 2026).
- Official, valid academic IELTS score of 7.0 or higher.
- Official, valid Duolingo English Test score of 130 or higher.
Further information about enclosing this documentation in the application may be found on the How to Apply page.
Seattle-Area Residency
Modern AI Methods courses are taught in-person only on the UW Seattle campus. Applicants must have physical residency in the Seattle/Puget Sound metropolitan area by the time of program start (late September) and for the duration of their time in the program.
International students
The Modern AI Methods certificate is a part-time program and cannot admit F1/J1 students who would require an I-20 or DS-2019 to enroll at UW. International students are welcome in the Modern AI Methods certificate but must already hold a visa or immigration status that allows for part-time study while residing in the United States.
Essential Math and Programming Skills
All applicants must have experience with the following math, statistics, and programming concepts:
- Calculus I & II
- Functions of several variables
- Matrix operations
- Linear systems of equations
- Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors
- Bayesian statistics
- Probability distributions
- Maximum likelihood estimation
- Object-oriented programming basic skills (e.g. variables, conditional statements, loops, and functions)
- Using simple data structures (e.g. lists, tuples, dictionaries, sets)
- Understanding the function of more complex data structures (e.g. queues, stacks, trees)
- Using tools and libraries such as NumPy, Plotly, Matplotlib, or others
Demonstrating Skills Proficiency
As these skills can be acquired through a variety of academic and professional experiences, applicants may demonstrate evidence of proficiency in a skill through any of the following three methods:
- Completion of college coursework covering a key skill or topic.
- Completion of another educational experience, such as a bootcamp or coding academy, professional certificate, MOOCs or other open online courses, or other continuing education.
- Description of practical experience utilizing a skill in an academic setting, personal project, or in the workplace.
Pre-Application Skills Assessment
We provide an optional self-assessment to support applicants in understanding the math and programming skills required for the program. The intention is for applicants to feel confident proceeding with their application, or understanding areas where they would benefit from additional training or a refresher prior to applying.
Information such as who clicks into the assessment, and their results, is not visible to Modern AI Methods staff, instructors, or the admissions committee.
Access the skills assessment here!
Equal Opportunity & Accessibility
The University of Washington reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran in accordance with University policy and applicable federal and state statutes and regulations.
The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process contact the Disability Services Office at least ten days in advance at: 206.543.6450/V, 206.685.7264 (FAX), or e-mail at dso@uw.edu.
Statement of Nondiscrimination
The University of Washington prohibits discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns, make complaints, or direct inquiries to the Civil Rights Compliance Office. Read the full nondiscrimination statement.