Artificial Intelligence (AI) minor

College student in a maroon shirt works at a laptop with AI images around him and books about machine learning. Image by ChatGPT

Artificial Intelligence (AI) minor

Employers across all fields increasingly seek graduates who can collaborate with AI tools, interpret AI-driven outputs, and communicate responsibly about AI.

Virginia Tech's interdisciplinary AI minor combines technical foundations with coursework on ethical and societal impact, plus hands-on applied study in a domain of your choosing –- whether that aligns with your major or opens a door to something entirely new. You'll graduate with practical AI fluency that complements your degree and sets you apart in any career path.

Who should pursue this minor

The AI minor is designed for any Virginia Tech undergraduate student, regardless of major, who wants to develop meaningful AI literacy alongside their primary field of study.

How to apply

Students can apply to the AI minor starting with the August 2026 change of major/minor application review. Get details and deadlines about adding minors here.

Apply for AI minor (Coming Aug. 3, 2026)

Program overview

The AI minor requires 18 credit hours, organized into three parts:

Part 1: Core technical foundations (9 credits)

The AI minor requires all students to complete the following three courses:

Introductory Programming (either CS 1064 or CS 1114)
Introduction to Problem Solving in CS (CS 2104) [prerequisite: CS 1064 or CS 1114]
Foundations and Applications of artificial intelligence (CS 3804 will be available Spring 2027) [prerequisite: CS 2104]

Part 2: Ethical, societal, and cultural impacts of AI (3 credits)

The AI minor requires each student to choose one of the following courses:

Algorithms & Society (CS/STS 4014)
Ethical Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence (PHIL 3334)
Data Governance, Privacy, and Ethics (BIT 4604) [prerequisite: CS 1064 or CS 1114]

Part 3: Interdisciplinary application module (6 credits)

Finally, each student pursuing the AI minor will choose one of the following modules and complete two courses from it:

Computational: Advanced data analytics, machine learning, and AI methods. Choose two courses from:
- Introductory Data Analytics and Visualization (CS 3654)
- Intermediate Data Analytics and Machine Learning (CS 4654)
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (CS 4804)
- Machine Learning (CS 4824)
Arts: AI in filmmaking, music, and creative practice. Choose two courses from:
- AI in Filmmaking (CINE 2014)
- AI in Music (MUS 2014)
- Computer Music and Multimedia Design I (MUS 3065)
- Computer Music and Multimedia Design II (MUS 3066)
Social science: AI applied to markets, geography, and public policy. Choose two courses from:
- Generative AI Applications in Social Science (GEOG 4094)
- Introduction to AI in Marketing (MKTG 4114)
- Introduction to Urban Analytics (SPIA 2004)
- Data and the Art of Policy-Making and Planning (SPIA 4464)
Human impact: AI's influence on language, learning, creativity, and human experience. Choose two courses from:
- AI, Creativity, and the Art of Being Human (ENGL 2024)
- AI and Global Languages (FL 2744)
- The Skeptic’s Guide to AI (PHIL 1404)
- Innovation in Context (STS 2254)
- Global Science and Technology Policy (STS 2444)

Still have questions?

The information above is intended to give you everything you need to apply for the AI minor in August. Students interested in getting started before August can review the courses listed above and add any to their schedule that do not require prerequisites.

For questions that cannot be answered by reviewing this page: