MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ARTIFICIAL GENERAL INTELLIGENCE
MA in Psychology
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BECOME A LEADER IN ARTIFICAL GENERAL INTELLIGENCE
Join the first accredited graduate program dedicated specifically to AGI —
where rigorous AI science meets the study of mind, consciousness, ethics, and responsible development.
About the Program
The CIHS MS in Artificial General Intelligence is an accredited online AI master’s degree — and the first master’s in artificial intelligence dedicated specifically to AGI. The program prepares students not just to build AI systems, but to understand what general intelligence is, where it comes from, and what it means for human beings and for the world.
The curriculum brings together artificial intelligence, cognitive science, neuroscience, philosophy of mind, and consciousness studies in a six-quarter sequence. Students work directly with cognitive architectures, neuro-symbolic AI, evolutionary learning, knowledge representation, embodied agents, quantum AI, and computational creativity — alongside serious study of AI ethics, AGI safety, value alignment, and the societal consequences of advanced artificial intelligence.
This is what sets this AI graduate program apart from conventional artificial intelligence master’s degrees: technical depth combined with genuine engagement with questions about mind, consciousness, and responsible development. Graduates leave ready to work in AGI research and to think clearly about what that work entails.
What distinguishes this AI graduate program
First Accredited AGI Degree: WSCUC-accredited MS in AGI — a rigorous credential recognized by employers and doctoral programs. Unlike non-accredited alternatives, this is a master’s in artificial intelligence that carries the full weight of institutional accreditation.
Consciousness & Cognitive AI: Unique integration of consciousness studies, cognitive science, and AGI — a CIHS signature not found in standard AI master’s degree programs.
Neuro-Symbolic AI: Deep coverage of hybrid symbolic-neural systems, cognitive architectures, and the Hyperon AGI framework.
AI Ethics & AGI Safety: Ethics, value alignment, responsible AI development, and the societal impact of superintelligence built into the core sequence — making this a responsible AI master’s degree as well as a technical one.
Flexible Online Format: Fully online with Fall and Spring cohort starts — a flexible online AI master’s designed for working professionals and researchers worldwide.
Expert Faculty: Program led by Dr. Gabriel Axel Montes, with guest experts drawn from the AGI research community.
An Online AI Master’s Degree Built for Woking Professionals
The MS in Artificial General Intelligence is offered 100% online through CIHS’s Canvas learning management system, combining synchronous and asynchronous learning. Students engage weekly with faculty and peers through lectures, discussions, hands-on project work, and shared research activities.
This flexible online AI master’s is designed for working professionals and working adults who need Fall or Spring start dates without relocating or stepping away from their careers. Cohorts begin each Fall and Spring quarter, and all coursework is designed to accommodate real-world schedules — making it a practical choice for those seeking a part-time AI master’s alongside existing professional commitments.
Computational resources for AGI coursework — including CPU and GPU cloud instances for neural network training, symbolic reasoning, and evolutionary algorithms — are provided to students as part of the program.
Curriculum and Degree Requirements
The MS in Artificial General Intelligence is a 58-quarter-unit program completed over six quarters. The curriculum moves from theoretical and philosophical foundations through advanced implementation, culminating in an original master’s final project.
Quarter 1 · Foundations of Intelligence and Mind
| Course | Credits |
| AGI 501 · Foundations of AGI I: Essentials & Theoretical Frameworks | 4 |
| AGI 502 · Algorithms & Data Structures for AGI | 2 |
| AGI 503 · Consciousness Studies for AGI Researchers | 4 |
AGI 501 — History of AI and AGI; theories of intelligence; Western and Eastern philosophies of mind; cognitive psychology; consciousness and cognitive architecture.
AGI 502 — Graphs, hypergraphs, metagraphs, and the MORK knowledge repository; pattern matching; inference algorithms; probabilistic programming.
AGI 503 — Global Workspace Theory, Integrated Information Theory, the hard problem; consciousness as it relates to AGI design and implementation.
Quarter 2 · Computational Models and Architectures
| Course | Credits |
| AGI 504 · Foundations of AGI II: Computational Models & Architectures | 4 |
| AGI 505 · Introduction to Cognitive and Neural Systems | 4 |
| AGI 506 · Research Methods for AGI (Qualitative and Quantitative) | 2 |
AGI 504 — Multimodal foundation models; transformer architectures; knowledge graphs and LLMs; predictive coding; probabilistic logic; evolutionary learning.
AGI 505 — Brain architecture and neural dynamics; computational neuroscience; bio-inspired AI; spiking neural networks; cognitive architectures.
AGI 506 — Experimental design; statistical analysis; AGI evaluation protocols; avoiding benchmark contamination; reproducible AI research.
Quarter 3 · Cognitive Dynamics, Ethics, and Emergence
| Course | Credits |
| AGI 507 · Foundations of AGI III: Cognitive Dynamics and Emergence | 4 |
| AGI 508 · Ethics and Philosophy of AGI | 4 |
| AGI 510 · Final Project Seminar I | 2 |
AGI 507 — Goal decomposition; transfer learning; embodied AI; temporal reasoning; social intelligence; decentralized and quantum AGI architectures.
AGI 508 — Machine consciousness; AI fairness and bias; value alignment; AGI governance; existential risk; transhumanism; responsible AI development.
Quarter 4 · Advanced Electives (choose two)
Select two of the following advanced courses (4 credits each):
- AGI 511 — Logical & Creative Reasoning for AGI
- AGI 512 — Computational Creativity
- AGI 513 — Evolutionary Learning for AGI
- AGI 519 — Robotics for AGI
- AGI 520 — Advanced Topics in AGI
| Course | Credits |
| Two elective courses | 8 |
| AGI 514 · Final Project Seminar II | 2 |
Quarter 5 · Advanced AGI Systems
| Course | Credits |
| AGI 515 · Motivation, Attention and Consciousness in AGI Systems | 4 |
| AGI 518 · AGI and Global Society | 4 |
| AGI 590 · Master’s Final Project Research | 2 |
AGI 515 — Psi/MicroPsi/MetaMo frameworks; attention across transformers and attractor networks; Phi and dynamical consciousness measures.
AGI 518 — Economic disruption; geopolitics of AI; governance and policy; human-AGI coexistence; post-scarcity economics; AGI rights and personhood.
Quarter 6 · Culmination
| Course | Credits |
| AGI 517 · Self-Improving AGI and Superintelligence | 4 |
| AGI 591 · Master’s Final Project Completion | 4 |
AGI 517 — Recursive self-improvement; goal stability and alignment; dynamical systems modeling; AGI safety mechanisms; the nature of superintelligence.
Program Total: 58 credits
Master’s Final Project
The program culminates in a final project sequence spanning the last three quarters (AGI 510, 514, 590, and 591). Students develop an original research or implementation project drawing on themes from across the curriculum. Projects may involve:
Technical AGI systems · Cognitive architecture design · Ethical and societal analysis · Computational modelling of consciousness · Embodied or robotic intelligence · Decentralized or quantum AGI · AI safety and alignment · or any other area the student and faculty advisor agree is within the program’s scope.
Students work through proposal development, supervised research or implementation, and a formal presentation of completed work. Where appropriate, students are encouraged to develop the project into a paper for submission to the AGI Conference or a comparable venue.
Program Learning Outcomes
PLO 1: Synthesize theoretical foundations of artificial general intelligence with consciousness studies and cognitive science perspectives to develop comprehensive frameworks for intelligent systems research.
PLO 2: Design computational models and architectures for AGI systems using advanced algorithms, data structures, and software development methodologies — including neuro-symbolic integration, evolutionary learning, and cognitive architecture design.
PLO 3: Apply quantitative and qualitative research methods to investigate cognitive dynamics, emergence, and consciousness in artificial systems while maintaining ethical considerations and rigorous research standards.
PLO 4: Communicate the transdisciplinary nature of AGI research through written and oral work that integrates perspectives from neuroscience, philosophy, computer science, and consciousness studies.
PLO 5: Evaluate the implications of AGI development for human existence and global society, incorporating ethical frameworks, value alignment principles, and sustainable development considerations.
Career and Research Preparation
The MS in Artificial General Intelligence prepares graduates for technical, research, and leadership roles in AGI — a field expanding fast enough that the shape of many future roles is still being defined. CIHS graduates bring computational depth alongside a grounding in consciousness, ethics, and human values that most AI master’s degree programs don’t attempt.
Career paths for graduates include:
- AGI Research & Development
- AI Engineering & Architecture
- Cognitive Architecture Design
- Neuro-Symbolic AI Systems
- AI Safety & Alignment
- AI Ethics & Governance
- Embodied & Robotic AI
- Computational Creativity
- Computational Cognitive Science
- Doctoral & Advanced Study
The program also provides solid preparation for doctoral study in AI, cognitive science, consciousness research, AI ethics, and related fields. Students interested in that path are encouraged to discuss research preparation with the Program Director early in the program.
Admissions
When you reach out for more information or to apply, you’ll immediately be connecting with one of the leaders in your field of study. Although today these individuals are distinguished professors, once upon a time they were in your shoes and they haven’t forgotten what it is like and what you need.
They are passionate about their area of study, and want to do everything they can to mentor the next generation of experts and leaders to rise up, and exceed what even they have accomplished. As true leaders they know that is the best way of ensuring that their area of study continues to significantly advance. They want you to succeed beyond your expectations and do everything they can to ensure that – right from the start.
During the application process these leaders will work hard to understand where you’re at and give you their best advice, even if that means not joining their program. All of our faculty and staff are devoted to what is best for you, and the profession they serve.
CIHS is a relatively small family of people who are having an outsized impact on the world. We involve everyone who could possibly be needed to ensure that it’s as easy as possible to join us, and that you thrive with us right from the start.
The admissions team is always ready and overjoyed to help you. The core team consists of the senior Professor for the program that we’ve just mentioned, also known as the Program Director, and the Dean of Admissions. The extended team includes the Provost (the most senior academic leader at the university) and key administrative members of her team such as the Registrar, the Dean of Student Assessments and Outcomes, and the Dean of Student Success.
The program may be completed 100% online at a distance.
International students from all countries are welcome.
Optional in-person retreats, workshops, and research opportunities are held at our campus in beautiful Encinitas, California.
U.S.-based distance students must reside in one of the following states: AK, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, HI, ID, IL, IN, KY, ME, MI, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NC, NV, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA.
The MS in AGI program accepts cohorts for Fall and Spring quarters.
We recommend beginning your application as soon as possible if you want to join the next start date.
Just click the button below for more information, or to begin the process…
Technical Readiness
The program welcomes applicants from computer science, mathematics, cognitive science, neuroscience, physics, and related fields — as well as applicants from less conventional backgrounds who bring demonstrated technical ability. Undergraduate preparation in linear algebra, probability, and some exposure to AI or cognitive science is expected.
Applicants are not required to be professional software developers. The program does, however, include substantial hands-on implementation work: students build, run, test, and explain AI and AGI systems across multiple courses. Applicants should be ready to do that — whether through prior training, professional experience, or a record of coding-agent-assisted work on non-trivial projects.
Students may use coding agents and AI-assisted programming workflows throughout the program. The standard is not that students write every line of code by hand, but that they can verify the code is conceptually appropriate, runs correctly, and actually does what the assignment requires.
Applicants without a STEM degree or professional software-development background may be asked to submit a small technical portfolio — a Python notebook, a GitHub repository, a working demo, an agent-assisted build, or similar evidence showing they can create, run, inspect, and explain a non-trivial computational artifact.
Final Project and Capstone Portfolio
The culminating project may be theoretical, mathematical, conceptual, empirical, or implementation-focused. A coded implementation is appropriate for many projects but is not required for every thesis. Each student’s capstone portfolio must, however, include at least one substantial implementation project completed during the program. If the final project itself does not include a coded implementation, students must designate a separate course project to fill that role.
Students are encouraged, where the work is suitable, to develop their thesis or final project into a manuscript for submission to the AGI Conference or a comparable venue.
Cohort dates
Online cohorts begin in Fall 2026, with additional cohorts admitted each Spring. CIHS is authorized to deliver distance education to students in a wide range of U.S. states and internationally. The online format accommodates students anywhere in the world — making this one of the most accessible graduate programs in artificial intelligence available.
For application requirements, deadlines, and tuition, visit the CIHS Admissions page.
Why CIHS?
- Accredited by WSCUC
- Non-profit serving students since 1992
- Unique, highly customizable degree programs
- Well known, proven leaders in the fields we specialize in
- World-class faculty and research programs
- Year round enrollment with frequent and convenient start dates
- Ability to complete your program 100% online
- 10 week classes so you can start and finish faster
- Holistic & integral approaches
- Welcoming and inclusive environment
- Small class size with personalized attention
- Exceptional student support services
- Access to CIHS’s Science of Consciousness and Subtle Energy Research Laboratories, and one of the largest Faraday cages in the region.
- Networking and career preparation opportunities
- Diverse faculty and industry professionals from a variety of fields
- Located in the beautiful beach city of Encinitas in northern San Diego, 95 miles south of Los Angeles
The most important benefit of attending CIHS does comes down to what we do: we focus on consciousness and science.
We are the only learning center of our kind in the United States: an accredited consciousness-based university.
This has been our exclusive focus since our founding in 1992.
From the start we’ve been a magnet for top faculty, researchers and students in this space.
You know that if you want to advance the future of media technology, and have an outsized impact on the world, you go to the MIT Media Lab. If you want to advance the understanding and applications of mind-body consciousness, and have an outsized impact, you come to CIHS.
No other accredited institution is dedicated to these visionary areas like we are. This is the place to be.
Faculty
DR. ARTHUR SUN
“CIHS is the best graduate school. I love the emphasis on scientific rigor and spirituality, and the integration of personal growth in each class. The professors are amazing and the administration is committed to the success and growth of each student. CIHS is an integral school that encourages multiple perspectives. If you want to grow not just academically but personally and spiritually, as well, come check out CIHS.”
CHRIS ORREY
“Receiving higher education from an institute such as CIHS was the most transformative journey of my life. Academic rigor paired with spiritual awakening, psychological healing, and professional development put me through the wringer. I had never felt more complete, whole, and connected to the higher truths that I had never known I already knew. At the same time, my entire worldview was shaken and flipped upside down. I have come to see life, existence, and the perception of the physical world in an entirely new way. I have come to understand, witness and meet the force of nature that underlies human consciousness, that is to the extent of my own pscyho-spiritual evolution.”
FRANCESCA PARETTA
“CIHS has provided me with opportunities to understand psychology in a grounded scientific way, simultaneously exploring life, healing, and consciousness. CIHS is an ideal setting for those who are motivated to contribute to the evolution and progression of academic engagement, experiential learning, and research, and an equally supportive environment for healing practitioners seeking to deepen their skills and add to their credentials, where a multitude of perspectives are accepted and integrated, from wisdom traditions, to clinical understandings, to transpersonal awareness and beyond.”
MICHAEL SCOTT
“CIHS has been an incredible experience so far, both academically and personally. I have found a “home” here where I can study consciousness and subtle energy in ways I couldn’t at previous graduate institutions. The students, faculty, and administration are amazing and have such diverse backgrounds and interests. I can’t wait to see how the school continues to evolve and grow!.”
LAUREN HICKEY
“I am so pleased with my recent PhD from CIHS. Nowhere else could I have achieved such a blended education of psychology, spirituality, and consciousness. The instructors were all well qualified and knowledgeable and assignments were reasonable. CIHS gave me the confidence I needed to expand my private practice. I also have now begun running international retreats. I feel well prepared to present myself as an expert in the field.”