Chandler-Gilbert Community College announced, early this month, its first baccalaureate program.

It’s a bachelor of science in artificial intelligence, or AI, and machine learning.

The fully accredited bachelor’s degree program, set to launch in fall 2025, will give students access to experienced faculty and a curriculum focused on emerging principles and methodologies in the building of machine learning models, according to a news release.

With approval from the Higher Learning Commission, the bachelor’s degree program is the latest product of Maricopa Community Colleges and CGCC’s leadership in AI-focused education.

Students will be able to apply to the bachelor’s degree program beginning in March.

As AI becomes increasingly prevalent in the workplace, employers recognize a growing skills gap with 51% of organizations indicating that their employees lack the necessary skills to execute AI and machine learning strategies, the release states.

In addressing this gap, Maricopa Community Colleges and Intel announced in 2020 the launch of Arizona’s first AI and machine learning associate degree and certificate programs housed at CGCC.

This led to the assembly of an AI incubator lab, an AI-focused teaching and learning summit, and participation in the National Applied Artificial Intelligence Consortium.

Maricopa Community Colleges began offering affordable, high-quality bachelor’s degrees in 2023 in critical fields with high demand in Arizona, including education, nursing, technology, public safety, and behavioral health.

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