Washington University in St. Louis Online AI Boot Camp

Harness the power of artificial intelligence to help any organization move more efficiently, cut costs and solve complex business challenges.

  • Strengthen your portfolio and showcase your skills to employers.
  • Gain connections in a network of 250+ organizations looking to hire.
  • Learn how to leverage AI and machine learning to automate.
  • No previous programming experience required.

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Part time, online

24 weeks, starts January 13, 2025


OVERVIEW

Online AI Boot Camp Classes


This boot camp is designed to empower students with the essential competencies demanded by the fast-moving field of AI. Students in the boot camp will learn to use a range of AI tools and techniques, including Python programming, supervised and unsupervised machine learning, generative AI, natural language processing and chatbot development.

Guided by instructors with years of industry experience, students will hone their creative problem-solving and analytical skills. Upon completion of the boot camp, students will strengthen their portfolio and be prepared to showcase their skills to potential employers.

  • Get on-demand academic support.
  • Develop job-ready skills in just 24 weeks.
  • Study in-demand tools and technologies. 
  • Receive attentive career planning support, tailored to you and your needs.
Man at computer

Is an AI Boot Camp Right for Me?

This AI boot camp is designed to equip students like you with a strong foundation of skills required to stand out in a competitive industry. If any of the following apply to you, our boot camp can help you achieve your goals and stand out in your career:

You’re currently working as a data or business analyst and looking to take your tech career to the next level by adding machine learning, programming and AI model training tools to your resume.

You want to apply AI techniques and methodology in your current role to further drive growth for your organization and be the one your team turns to for new ways to solve complex business problems.

You are a tech enthusiast who wants to get your foot in the door of the networking and security space.

You’re looking to build a career in tech from the ground up more quickly than a traditional degree program and want to leverage AI model training tools in your chosen industry.

CAREERS

AI Career Outcomes

Behind every smart device is a smarter human. Which is why the demand for AI professionals is growing rapidly and offering great opportunities for career growth.

82%

A Way to Advance

82% of the C-suite believe workers who are skilled at using AI should be paid more (and 74% feel they should be promoted more often).1

87%

A Need for Qualified Professionals

87% of C-suite execs say they’re struggling to find talent with AI skills.2

US$196.63 billion

A Rapidly-Growing Industry

The global AI market was valued at US$196.63 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to grow by 36.6% from 2024 to 2030.3

Navigating the Workplace in the Age of AI. (2023). edX and Workplace Intelligence. Retrieved April 15, 2024.

2 Navigating the Workplace in the Age of AI. (2023). edX and Workplace Intelligence. Retrieved April 15, 2024.

3 Artificial Intelligence Market Size. (2023). Grand View Research. Retrieved April 15, 2024.

What Employers Are Saying About the Boot Camp

Don’t just take our word for it. See what hiring managers and tech leaders across the globe with experience are saying about the AI Boot Camp. From top research universities to start-ups, these leaders have their fingers on the pulse of what AI skills are needed today and tomorrow.

  • “The skills acquired in the AI Boot Camp will prove valuable in almost every job in the future.”

    — Akshika Wijesundara, Ph.D
    Research Associate in Machine Learning, King’s College
    Chief Technology Officer, Tilli

  • “I would consider hiring an AI Boot Camp graduate. Completing a boot camp demonstrates initiative and a commitment to gaining practical skills. It also ensures hands-on experience with topics like programming, data science, and machine learning.”

    — Priyo Chatterjee, Ph.D
    Advisor, Stealth Start-Up
    Former Head of Data Science: Advertiser Products, Meta

  • “The learning outcomes for the AI Boot Camp are the essential AI and machine learning skills that I would expect from a Data Analyst or Data Scientist.”

    — Matt Drayer
    Director of Enterprise Solutions, 2U

Testimonials come from paid members of the edX AI advisory council.

Jobs in AI

Our AI boot camp provides a foundation that can prepare you for various roles in the field. Job requirements vary between companies, so depending on your prior work and academic experience, the skills you acquire during the boot camp and any additional industry experience you gain in the future, you may consider careers such as:

Craft strategic recommendations for businesses by finding insights from data collection, analysis and predictive modeling.

Explore advancements in artificial intelligence within academic, research or industry settings and contribute to the analysis or development of AI models.

Lead the conception and execution of AI-driven products and services, aligning technological applications with business objectives and customer needs.

Offer expert advice to organizations looking to make their processes more efficient and drive innovation with AI.

Students at laptop

Career Services Team

The edX career services team will help you navigate the challenging and rapidly evolving AI landscape. We’re committed to supporting each student throughout their career journey, tapping into our network of partners to offer relevant industry workshops, networking opportunities and much more. You’ll also be assigned a career coach from edX to help you combine both your technical and soft skills with the necessary tools and mindset to enter the job market.

You’ll have exclusive access to free professional resources throughout your career as well as job referrals from our network of 250+ partners.

AI Jobs Are in Demand in the Midwest

The Midwest region offers a variety of job opportunities for professionals with AI and machine learning skills. States such as Missouri (St. Louis), Indiana (Indianapolis) and Illinois (Chicago) offer competitive salaries for careers such as computer and information research scientists.

  • The median annual pay for computer and information research scientists in St. Louis is US$100,410 a year.1
  • The median annual pay for computer and information research scientists in Indiana is US$93,930 a year.2
  • The median annual pay for computer and information research scientists in Chicago is US$119,690 a year.3

Computer and Information Research Scientists in St. Louis. (2024). CareerOneStop. Retrieved April 15, 2024.

Computer and Information Research Scientists in Indiana. (2024). CareerOneStop. Retrieved April 15, 2024.

Computer and Information Research Scientists in Chicago. (2024). CareerOneStop. Retrieved April 15, 2024.

Female at laptop

CURRICULUM

Online AI Curriculum

Our immersive, hands-on curriculum, will help equip you with a wide variety of programming, data and machine learning skills. This market-driven curriculum is delivered through live, online classes and through high-quality coursework that’s immediately applicable to a professional environment across a range of industries. Our instructors are fully vetted by the university and offer one-on-one virtual guidance whenever you need it.

Description: Gain the fundamental skills to source, prepare and analyze data for machine learning models and AI applications. Building on these skills, you will learn to make predictive models to use for forecasting time series data.


Portfolio Project: This section will culminate in a project where you will prepare data and forecast predictions. You will leverage skills learned in this first section such as programming, data preparation, visualization and forecasting.

Description: Take your programming and data skills to the next level with machine learning. You’ll use supervised and unsupervised learning, evaluate models for optimal performance and explore the legal and ethical considerations of using artificial intelligence.


Portfolio Project: This section concludes in a project where you will train machine learning models, optimize the models and evaluate model performance in order to choose the best model for your application.

Description: Explore cutting-edge AI topics such as neural networks, deep learning, natural language processing, transformers and emerging topics in AI.


Portfolio Project: The final section of the course consists of a capstone project that utilizes skills and knowledge from across the course, including advanced techniques such as neural networks and transformers.

AI Skills You’ll Gain 

By the time you complete this boot camp, you’ll be equipped with a wide variety of programming, data and machine learning skills. You’ll be prepared to create Python-based scripts, interact with APIs using Python Requests and JSON parsing techniques, use data-driven programming languages and libraries and much more. The market-relevant topics covered in the curriculum include:*

Programming for Artificial Intelligence

Fundamental Python syntax
Python coding logic and reasoning
Python script and dictionary creation

Making Predictions with Data

Data modeling
Data forecasting
Time series data

Machine Learning Optimization

Evaluating model performance
Imbalanced data
Model selection for success metrics
Limitations of traditional models

AI Ethics

Legal and ethical considerations
Data reproducibility
Algorithmic bias
Data privacy regulations

Deep Learning

Deep learning vs. neural networks
Deep learning on TensorFlow and Keras

Natural Language Processing

Natural language processing
Tokenization
Word models

Emerging Topics

Generative AI
AI applications outside the computer
Active research areas
Ethics and regulation

*The material covered is subject to change. Our academic team adjusts to the market demand.

SCHEDULE & DATES

Online AI Schedule

Classes begin quarterly. You can visit our schedule page for upcoming dates and class times. Part-time classes are held on three weekday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. CT or 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. CT.

ProgramTime to CompleteLive InstructionHomework & ProjectsClass Time
Part Time, Online24 weeks
9 hours/week
20+ hrs/week
9 hours/week;
3 weeknights,
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET /
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. CT

How to Apply

It will only take you a minute to request information and be put in touch with a member of the admissions team. They can then answer any enrollment questions you have, and help you get your application started.

  1. Fill out the program interest form
    Complete the form and wait for an admissions adviser to get in touch with you.
  2. Speak with an adviser
    Connect with an adviser to discuss the program and talk through your goals.
  3. Complete your assessment and application
    Fill out a short application and take a multiple-choice, critical thinking and problem-solving assessment.
  4. Discuss boot camp tuition
    Connect with admissions to discuss financial options and payment.
  5. Start your boot camp
    Finalize your enrollment and pay your deposit to begin your new boot camp journey.

Currently Enrolling

Part Time
Artificial Intelligence
Boot Camp
  • Start Date: January 13, 2025
  • Part Time, 24 Weeks
  • Online

Not sure if the AI boot camp is right for you? Explore the other boot camps we offer.

About the Boot Camp

This boot camp, offered in partnership with edX, is made available through a unique consortium delivery model to provide skills-based learning to participants across Missouri and beyond. Participants will be taught by a university-approved instructor, while learning alongside students from other consortium-participating universities and institutions. Upon meeting the completion requirements, participants will be issued a non-credit Certificate of Completion from the Technology & Leadership Center at Washington University’s McKelvey Engineering.

COST & FINANCING

Boot Camp Cost and Financing Options

AI Boot Camp Fee: $11,000

Interest-Free Payment Plan

Pay an initial deposit and split the rest of your tuition into monthly installments over the length of the program with no interest.

Pay in Full Discount

Pay in full at the time of enrollment and receive $500 off your total fee.

24-Month Interest-Free Payment Plan

Once approved, you’ll pay your deposit and split the remaining tuition over 24 monthly installments with zero interest.

Alumni Scholarship

Alumni are eligible for a $500 scholarship.

edX Boot Camps does not receive any commissions or payments for referrals or successful loan applications. The lender’s loan approval criteria will apply and you should consider the terms and conditions of any loan carefully. We are not credit advisers. We make no representations about whether you will be given a loan or whether a loan will be suitable for you. We are not responsible for representations made to you by any credit provider.

Got a question? Chat with a member of the admissions team about financing options

student working at tablet

EXPERIENCE

The Online Boot Camp Experience

Build your skills online, in your own time. Our flexible, but structured, approach to online education offers convenient evening classes that ensure you are able to advance your AI capabilities, even if you’re currently employed or in school.

Engaging Online Classes
Learn how to use fundamental AI tools, and put them into action through practical exercises.

Real-World Projects
Our market-driven curriculum teaches you the most in-demand AI and machine learning models through real-world examples. Everything you learn is immediately applicable to a professional environment across a range of industries.

Peer Network
Connect with a powerful network of engaged instructors, TAs, peers and former students.

Unparalleled Support
Receive 24/7 on-demand learning assistance via text or video chat and have access to one-on-one tutors when needed.

Career Planning
Receive direct access to resources, events and career pathing support from edX’s dedicated Career Services team that’s focused on helping you reach your professional goals.

Industry Connections
Learn from the best in the industry and meet our network of 250+ employer partners who love to hire boot camp students.

How We Support You

Students receive exceptional support from admissions to program completion. We’re committed to helping you succeed with virtual office hours and a dedicated Slack channel for assistance from instructors, support staff and classmates.

This team is made up of experienced AI professionals who will help you work through the program materials.

This network of tutors will offer you hands-on support at every step of your learning journey.

Your dedicated student success manager will keep you up to date with your classes and resources on Slack.

edX’s career services team will assist you with coaching, resume reviews and interview preparation so that you’re fully prepared for the outside world.

This is a group of peers who you will collaborate with on coursework and projects. These will be connections for life, and will be a valuable network to foster.

FAQ

Learn More About Our AI Boot Camp Offerings 

Students can complete the program in six months (24 weeks).

No previous experience is required; however, it is recommended that applicants hold a bachelor’s degree and/or two years of work experience in business, finance, statistics, management or a related field.

The cost of the program is $11,000.* Payment plans are available for those who qualify.

*Tuition is subject to change.

Our program has an application process and is not open enrollment. Once a prospective student fills out the form or calls our admissions department, they will go through an initial phone interview with an adviser. Applicants who are recommended to move forward will then take a critical thinking and problem-solving assessment.

Still Need Some Help?

Ready to learn more about the AI boot camp? We’re here to help you begin your journey toward a future in AI.

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