M.S. in Artificial General Intelligence
An accredited online master’s program for the future of intelligence.
The CIHS M.S. in Artificial General Intelligence is the world’s first accredited master’s program dedicated specifically to AGI. It brings advanced AI study together with cognition, consciousness, safety, alignment, ethics, and governance to explore what general intelligence is—and how AGI can benefit humanity.
Designed for professionals, researchers, and graduates from multiple backgrounds, the program connects rigorous study with questions that matter to your work and interests. Live online classes, full-time and part-time study options, and entry in Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer allow you to plan your progress around your circumstances.
Full-Time and Part-Time Pathways
Choose the pace that fits your life. Start in Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer.
| Start quarter | Full-Time | Part-Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fall or Spring | 6 quarters About 1.5 years | 12 quarters About 3 years |
| Winter or Summer | 7 quarters About 1.75 years | 13 quarters About 3.25 years |
Part-time study generally involves one four-unit course per quarter, with selected two-unit additions. Courses follow an established rotation, and individual plans preserve prerequisites.
These are sample pathways. Completion timing may change with study pace, missed courses, or breaks. Maximum time to completion: 14 quarters (3.5 years).
Now accepting Winter 2027 applications. Classes begin January 4, 2027. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis for entry at the start of a quarter.
Program Distinction
AGI, consciousness studies, and the pursuit of beneficial general intelligence
CIHS’s M.S. centers on the foundations and possibilities of general intelligence: how systems reason, learn, adapt, and act; how those capabilities relate to cognition and consciousness; and how increasingly capable AI can be evaluated, governed, and developed responsibly. Beneficial General Intelligence (BGI) brings these questions together around the essential goal of ensuring that increasingly capable AI systems remain safe, aligned, and beneficial for humanity.
Advanced AI Systems
Study foundation models, cognitive architectures, neuro-symbolic systems, agentic systems, knowledge representation, evolutionary learning, robotics, and future intelligence architectures to understand how advanced AI works and how its capabilities and limitations can be evaluated.
Mind, Cognition & Consciousness
Explore cognitive science, neuroscience, philosophy of mind, consciousness studies, attention, motivation, embodiment, emergence, and theories of intelligence to investigate cognition, agency, and the nature of intelligence.
Beneficial General Intelligence
Examine AI safety, value alignment, ethics, governance, societal impact, human-AI coexistence, and responsible development to explore what beneficial AGI requires in research, evaluation, development, and oversight.
Who Should Apply
Bring your professional expertise and intellectual interests to the study of AGI.
The M.S. in AGI is designed for students who want to engage advanced AI seriously, whether they come from technical, scientific, philosophical, policy-oriented, entrepreneurial, or interdisciplinary backgrounds.
AI & Software Professionals
For builders ready to move beyond current machine-learning tools toward AGI systems, agents, architectures, safety, and deeper theories of intelligence.
STEM Graduates
For students interested in AI, cognition, neuroscience, complex systems, robotics, computational modeling, or future intelligence architectures.
Cognitive Science, Philosophy, Psychology & Consciousness Studies Students
For students with computational readiness who want to bring questions of mind, consciousness, agency, and intelligence into advanced AI work.
Researchers, Educators & Policy Thinkers
For those seeking a stronger technical and conceptual foundation in advanced AI, safety, ethics, governance, and societal impact.
Entrepreneurs, Product Leaders & Innovation Professionals
For those interested in how advanced AI systems may shape products, organizations, research programs, strategy, and responsible innovation.
Working Adults & Nontraditional Builders
For students seeking a fully online, accredited graduate path into one of the most consequential emerging fields.
Career & Research Directions
Apply AGI knowledge to your work, research, and future direction.
For established professionals, AGI study can deepen existing expertise and open new directions in research, development, evaluation, governance, and leadership. An original final project provides an opportunity to investigate a consequential question connecting the curriculum with your professional or intellectual goals.
Directions students may pursue or strengthen, depending on their previous experience, preparation, and project work, include:
- Advanced AI research and development Explore AI engineering, agentic systems, cognitive architectures, and approaches to increasingly general intelligence.
- AI capability evaluation, safety, and alignment Assess capabilities, limitations, and failure modes, and investigate safeguards and alignment questions.
- AI policy, ethics, and governance Connect understanding of advanced AI with ethical analysis, public policy, and governance.
- Organizational risk, oversight, and responsible adoption Inform organizational decisions, risk assessment, oversight, and responsible adoption of advanced AI.
- Human–AI interaction, cognition, and consciousness research Explore human–AI interaction, computational cognitive science, agency, and questions of consciousness.
- Further graduate study and interdisciplinary research Build research skills and develop original work connecting AGI with related disciplines.
Doctoral Study & Research Preparation
Students interested in further graduate study can use the program to develop research skills and an original project in AGI and related fields.
Students interested in pursuing doctoral study or research-intensive careers are encouraged to discuss research preparation with the Program Director early in the program.
Degree Requirements & Learning Outcomes
A 58-unit graduate curriculum culminating in original AGI work.
The 58-quarter-unit curriculum progresses from foundations of intelligence and mind through computational models, research methods, ethics, advanced AGI systems, and an original final project. Students follow advised full-time or part-time pathways within the course rotation, with completion timing determined by entry term and study pace.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the M.S. program will be prepared to:
- PLO 1: AGI Theory & Cognitive Science Synthesize theoretical foundations of AGI with consciousness studies and cognitive science to develop frameworks for intelligent systems research.
- PLO 2: Computational Architecture Design computational models and architectures for AGI systems using advanced algorithms, neuro-symbolic integration, evolutionary learning, and cognitive architecture design.
- PLO 3: Research Methods Apply quantitative and qualitative research methods to investigate cognitive dynamics, emergence, and consciousness in artificial systems.
- PLO 4: Transdisciplinary Communication Communicate AGI research through written and oral work integrating neuroscience, philosophy, computer science, and consciousness studies.
- PLO 5: Ethics & Global Impact Evaluate AGI development through ethical frameworks, value alignment, sustainable development, and implications for human existence and global society.
Degree Requirements
The M.S. includes required AGI coursework, advanced electives, and a final project sequence.
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Learn more about AGI at CIHS.
Tell us a little about your interests and questions, and we’ll follow up with more information about the M.S. in Artificial General Intelligence, admissions, and next steps.
Curriculum
From AGI foundations to original work.
The 58-quarter-unit M.S. in Artificial General Intelligence connects the foundations of intelligence and mind with computational models, cognitive dynamics, research methods, ethics, advanced AGI systems, and an original final project. Across these areas, students examine what increasingly capable AI can do—and what its safe, responsible, and beneficial development requires.
Students follow full-time or part-time pathways within an established course rotation, with quarterly entry in Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. The courses below are grouped by curriculum area; their sequence and timing depend on entry quarter, study pace, and prerequisites.
View full-time and part-time pathways →Core Curriculum
Foundations of AGI
Explore the history of AI and AGI, theories of intelligence, and the algorithms and data structures used to represent and solve problems. These foundations connect theoretical frameworks with the computational work of understanding, building, and evaluating intelligent systems.
Core Curriculum
Mind, Cognition & Consciousness
Study philosophy of mind, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, computational neuroscience, and consciousness studies relevant to AGI design and implementation. Investigate how cognition and neural systems inform questions about intelligence, artificial minds, and consciousness.
Core Curriculum
Computational Models & Research Methods
Examine multimodal foundation models, transformer architectures, knowledge graphs, predictive coding, probabilistic logic, and cognitive architectures. Develop research skills through AGI evaluation protocols and reproducible research methods for investigating capabilities, limitations, and consequential questions.
Core Curriculum
Cognitive Dynamics & Advanced AGI Systems
Investigate goal decomposition, transfer learning, embodied AI, temporal reasoning, social intelligence, machine consciousness, motivation, attention, consciousness measures, and cognitive frameworks. Examine recursive self-improvement, goal stability, alignment, dynamical systems modeling, AGI safety mechanisms, and the nature of superintelligence.
Core Curriculum
Ethics, Governance & Global Society
Examine fairness and bias, value alignment, AGI governance, existential risk, and responsible AI development. Study economic and geopolitical impacts, human–AGI coexistence, and rights and personhood questions, connecting these issues to the pursuit of Beneficial General Intelligence.
Electives · 8 Units
Advanced Electives
- AGI 511 · Logical and Creative Reasoning for AGI Systems
- AGI 512 · Computational Creativity
- AGI 513 · Evolutionary Learning for AGI
- AGI 519 · Robotics for AGI
- AGI 520 · Advanced Topics in AGI
Students complete two four-unit electives from the courses available within the program’s rotation. The Program Director selects the annual elective offerings based on academic priorities, student interests, and faculty availability. Elective timing depends on entry quarter, study pace, and prerequisites.
Program Total: 58 quarter units. Required coursework: 40 units · Electives: 8 units · Final project sequence: 10 units.
Master’s Final Project
Build, research, question, and contribute.
The program culminates in an original final project connecting AGI study with a student’s professional expertise, research interests, or intellectual goals. Developed through a supervised project sequence, the work may be technical, theoretical, mathematical, empirical, ethical, implementation-focused, or a combination of these approaches.
Students may pursue work involving technical AGI systems, cognitive architecture design, ethical and societal analysis, computational modeling of consciousness, embodied or robotic intelligence, decentralized or quantum AGI, capability evaluation, AI safety and alignment, governance, organizational oversight, Beneficial General Intelligence, or another approved area within the program’s scope.
Final Project Sequence · 10 Units
Illustrative Project Directions
Project scope is developed with faculty. Where appropriate, students are encouraged to develop their work toward conference or publication submission.
Technical Readiness
Bring your background. Develop your AGI expertise.
The M.S. in AGI welcomes applicants from computing, science, psychology, philosophy, policy, education, and other professional fields. A computer science degree is not required. The curriculum combines serious engagement with computational systems and interdisciplinary inquiry into intelligence, consciousness, safety, ethics, and governance. AI-assisted coding tools offer additional ways to develop technical fluency, alongside the understanding needed to test, evaluate, and explain the resulting work.
Understand and Evaluate Computational Systems
Serious engagement with computational systems is part of the curriculum. Students work with AI or software artifacts by generating, running, inspecting, testing, and explaining them. These skills support advanced research, capability evaluation, responsible development, and informed oversight.
AI-Assisted Workflows Are Encouraged
Students may use coding agents and AI-assisted workflows throughout the program. The goal is to develop the judgment to use these tools responsibly, verify their outputs, understand their limits, and explain the systems being built or evaluated.
Bring Your Existing Expertise
Students may come from computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, cognitive science, neuroscience, philosophy, psychology, consciousness studies, policy, education, entrepreneurship, or related fields. Their existing expertise can inform the AGI questions they investigate and the direction of their original project.
Discuss Your Background and Preparation
Your experience and interests are a starting point for exploring AGI study. The Program Director can help you understand how your background fits and identify useful preparation. Where needed, you may be asked to share a small working example—such as a demo, Python notebook, GitHub project, or AI-assisted build that you can run, test, and explain. We’ll help clarify what to share and how to take the next step.
Unsure how your background fits? Request information to discuss your preparation and study options with the Program Director.
Request InformationWhy CIHS?
A graduate university built for frontier questions in intelligence, consciousness, and technology.
CIHS is an accredited nonprofit graduate university and research center dedicated to serious inquiry at the frontiers of science, consciousness, health, technology, and human transformation. Artificial General Intelligence belongs naturally within that mission. Few fields raise more urgent questions about mind, intelligence, responsibility, reality, and the future of human civilization.
Innovative, One-of-a-Kind AGI Degree
CIHS launched the world’s first accredited master’s degree dedicated specifically to Artificial General Intelligence. The program gives students a distinctive academic home for studying advanced AI systems, cognition, consciousness, ethics, safety, and responsible development together.
World-Class Faculty
Students study with scholars, researchers, builders, and practitioners working across AGI, neuroscience, consciousness, complex systems, ethics, and future-facing technology. The program is led by faculty committed to helping students engage one of the defining fields of the 21st century.
Meet the AGI faculty →Accessible, Online Format
The M.S. in AGI is offered online for students who want rigorous graduate study without relocating. Live faculty-led learning and peer dialogue are complemented by quarterly entry and a choice of full-time or part-time study pace. Live class meetings are scheduled in Pacific Time.
The Pursuit of Beneficial General Intelligence
Beneficial General Intelligence (BGI) brings technical and human questions together around the goal of ensuring that increasingly capable AI remains safe, aligned, and beneficial for humanity. At CIHS, students examine the connections among system capabilities, cognition, consciousness, ethics, safety, governance, and responsible development.
Consciousness & AGI
At CIHS, the relationship between consciousness and AGI is not an add-on to technical AI study. It goes to the heart of the fundamental questions raised by AGI, including what intelligence is, how minds arise, and how increasingly capable artificial systems should be understood and developed.
An Integrative Curriculum
The M.S. curriculum includes consciousness studies for AGI, explores human consciousness and artificial minds, and brings an integrative mind-body perspective on AI to questions of cognition, agency, embodiment, ethics, safety, and responsible machine intelligence. An original final project connects these areas with the student’s professional expertise, research interests, or intellectual goals.
Admissions
How to apply.
The CIHS admissions process is designed to be clear, personal, and program-specific. You can begin by requesting information, speaking with Admissions, or starting an online application when you are ready.
A clear path from inquiry to application.
Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree, or foreign equivalent, from a regionally accredited institution. Admission is subject to transcript review and may be subject to additional prerequisites depending on prior academic preparation.
Application Materials
To apply, applicants submit materials through the CIHS online application process.
- Completed online application
- Non-refundable application fee
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal essay describing your interest in CIHS and the program
- Current CV or resume, if applicable
- Representative academic or professional writing sample
No GRE is required. Applications are reviewed holistically and on a rolling basis.
Important Dates — Winter 2027
- Priority application deadline October 31, 2026
- Next quarterly start date January 4, 2027
Faculty-Guided Application Process
CIHS admissions is not an anonymous pipeline. Prospective students may connect with admissions staff and program leadership who understand the field of study and can offer thoughtful guidance about readiness, timing, program expectations, and next steps.
State Authorization for U.S. Residents
CIHS is authorized to offer the online M.S. in Artificial General Intelligence to residents of 31 approved U.S. states. U.S.-based applicants should review the current eligibility information or contact Admissions before applying.
International Applicants Welcome
Applicants living outside the United States are welcome. CIHS works with students from many backgrounds and locations, and our admissions team can help applicants understand transcript review, program format, and documentation requirements.
Students whose native language is not English must submit a satisfactory English proficiency score through an approved test such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge CEFR, Duolingo, or Pearson Test of English Academic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the M.S. in AGI.
What is AGI, and what makes this program different?
Artificial General Intelligence concerns systems capable of reasoning, learning, adapting, and acting across a broad range of tasks and domains. CIHS’s M.S. is the world’s first accredited master’s program dedicated specifically to AGI. It connects advanced AI systems with cognitive science, neuroscience, philosophy of mind, consciousness studies, safety, ethics, and governance—and an original final project relevant to your professional or intellectual goals.
The program is led by Gabriel Axel Montes, Ph.D., with faculty including Ben Goertzel, Ph.D., and Matthew Iklé, Ph.D. Meet the AGI faculty.
What can this degree add to an established career?
AGI study can deepen the expertise you already bring to technical practice, research, policy, organizational leadership, education, or the study of mind and consciousness. The curriculum develops understanding of intelligent systems, research methods, evaluation, and responsible development. Your original project provides an opportunity to investigate a consequential question connected with your work or future direction—for example, evaluating system limitations, examining human–AI relationships, or developing an evidence-informed approach to oversight.
Is this program relevant to policy, governance, safety, and ethics?
Yes. Professionals interested in policy, governance, organizational risk, education, leadership, safety, and ethics can pursue AGI study relevant to their work. Courses including Ethics and Philosophy of AGI and AGI and Global Society connect system capabilities with questions of responsibility and societal impact.
All students share the degree’s core curriculum, including its computational work. An approved final project can bring your existing expertise into research, evaluation, governance, or responsible development.
What is Beneficial General Intelligence (BGI)?
Beneficial General Intelligence brings technical and human questions together around the goal of ensuring that increasingly capable AI remains safe, aligned, and beneficial for humanity. At CIHS, students examine connections among system capabilities, cognition, consciousness, ethics, safety, governance, and responsible development. BGI gives these areas a shared purpose: understanding what it would take for general intelligence to benefit humanity.
Do I need a computer science degree?
No. A traditional computer science degree is not required. The program welcomes applicants from technical, scientific, professional, and interdisciplinary backgrounds, including psychology, neuroscience, medicine, law, philosophy, consciousness studies, policy, education, and entrepreneurship.
Serious engagement with computational systems is part of the curriculum. Your preparation is considered in the context of your academic background, professional experience, and ability to understand and evaluate computational work.
How can I find out whether I’m ready for the program?
Your experience and interests provide a starting point for that conversation. The Program Director can help you understand how your background fits and identify useful preparation.
Where needed, you may be asked to share a small working example—such as a demo, Python notebook, GitHub project, or AI-assisted build that you can run, inspect, test, and explain. The example helps demonstrate your understanding of the work and its limitations. We can clarify what would be appropriate for your background.
Can I use AI-assisted coding tools?
Yes. Students may use coding agents and AI-assisted workflows throughout the program. These tools can support building, experimentation, and learning. Students remain responsible for understanding their work, checking outputs, testing results, recognizing limitations, and explaining their methods and conclusions.
When can I start, and when should I apply?
Students can begin in Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and classes begin at the start of each quarter.
CIHS is accepting applications for Winter 2027, beginning January 4, 2027. The priority application deadline is October 30, 2026. Apply early to allow time for transcripts, supporting materials, and review. If you apply after the priority deadline, contact Admissions about availability for your intended start.
See Master’s Degree Admissions and the Academic Calendar for current dates.
Can I study part-time while continuing to work?
Yes. Both full-time and part-time pathways are available. Part-time study generally involves one four-unit course per quarter, with selected two-unit additions for courses such as algorithms, research methods, or project seminars.
This allows working professionals to concentrate on fewer courses at a time while progressing through the same 58-quarter-unit degree. Your study plan should account for live class meetings, independent work, prerequisites, and the course rotation.
How long does the degree take?
The sample completion pathways depend on your entry quarter and study pace:
| Entry quarter | Full-time pathway | Part-time pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Fall or Spring | 6 quarters—about 1.5 years | 12 quarters—about 3 years |
| Winter or Summer | 7 quarters—about 1.75 years | 13 quarters—about 3.25 years |
These pathways include Summer study and assume continued progress through the scheduled courses. Some Winter and Summer entry pathways include a lighter Summer quarter. Enrollment status is determined by the units taken in each quarter. Changes in study pace, missed courses, or breaks can affect completion timing.
What is the maximum time to complete the degree?
The maximum time to completion is 14 quarters, or 3.5 years. This accommodates the standard 12- and 13-quarter part-time pathways while allowing some additional time when needed. Discuss planned breaks or approved leave with the Program Director and Registrar so that your study plan and completion timeline remain consistent with Institute policy.
Can I change my study pace if my circumstances change?
Your study plan can be reviewed and adjusted with the Program Director and Registrar if your circumstances change. Moving between full-time and part-time study, taking a break, or missing a course requires attention to prerequisites, the course rotation, and the maximum completion period. Discuss changes early so that you understand how they affect your remaining courses and graduation timing.
How are courses and electives scheduled?
Courses follow an established rotation, with prerequisite requirements determining the order in which particular courses can be taken. Quarterly entry provides four opportunities to begin the degree; course availability follows the rotation.
Students complete two distinct four-unit electives from the courses offered within that rotation. The Program Director selects the annual elective offerings from the approved elective curriculum based on academic priorities, student interests, and faculty availability. Elective timing varies with entry quarter and study pace.
Is the program online, and how do live classes work?
The M.S. in AGI is offered online, with live faculty-led classes by video. Class meetings are scheduled in U.S. Pacific Time.
Plan to participate at the scheduled meeting times. If you live in another time zone, review how those times correspond to your location before enrolling. Admissions can help you obtain the meeting information needed to assess whether the program fits your schedule.
What time commitment should I plan for?
Plan for scheduled live classes plus reading, computational work, research, assignments, and project development. The commitment varies by course, your prior preparation, and your study pace.
Full-time pathways generally involve eight to ten units per quarter, with lighter Summer loads in some Winter and Summer entry plans. Part-time pathways generally involve one four-unit course with selected two-unit additions. Discuss current course expectations and meeting times with the Program Director when choosing your pace.
What kind of final project can I pursue?
The degree culminates in an original project developed through a 10-unit sequence of project seminars, research, and completion. Projects may be technical, theoretical, mathematical, empirical, ethical, implementation-focused, or a combination of approaches.
Possible directions include advanced-system development and evaluation; cognition and consciousness research; safety and alignment; governance and societal impact; and responsible development of beneficial general intelligence. Project scope is developed with faculty and can connect AGI study with your professional expertise, research interests, or intellectual goals.
Can the program support preparation for doctoral study?
Yes. Students interested in further graduate study can develop research skills and an original project in AGI and related fields, including cognitive science, consciousness research, safety, ethics, and governance. Discuss your research goals with the Program Director early so that your preparation and project choices support those goals. Admission to a doctoral program depends on that institution’s requirements.
Is CIHS accredited?
Yes. California Institute for Human Science is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The M.S. in AGI is a graduate degree offered by CIHS.
What does the application require? Is the GRE required?
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or an accepted foreign equivalent from an accredited institution. Preparation is reviewed individually.
Application materials include:
- A completed online application and application fee.
- Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts, as applicable.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- A personal essay explaining your interest in CIHS and the program.
- A current CV or résumé, if applicable.
- A representative academic or professional writing sample.
Additional preparation materials may be requested as part of the program’s readiness review. No GRE is required.
See Master’s Degree Admissions for submission instructions.
Where is the program available? Can international students apply?
CIHS welcomes applicants residing outside the United States and residents of its currently approved U.S. states. U.S. eligibility is based on state of residence. Review the current authorized-state information before applying.
International applicants should review requirements for academic credentials, translations or credential evaluations, and English proficiency. Live classes follow Pacific Time scheduling, so applicants should also consider the time-zone fit.
Students studying online from outside the United States can complete the program remotely. CIHS does not issue I-20 forms for F-1 student visas. See International Students for details.
How much does the program cost?
For the 2026–2027 academic year, tuition is $545 per quarter unit. At that rate, tuition for the 58-unit degree is $31,610, before applicable fees, books, supplies, and other expenses.
Representative quarterly tuition amounts at the current rate are:
| Units taken | Tuition only |
|---|---|
| 4 units | $2,180 |
| 6 units | $3,270 |
| 8 units | $4,360 |
| 10 units | $5,450 |
Part-time study spreads tuition payments across more quarters; the degree’s 58-unit requirement remains the same. Tuition and fees may increase in subsequent academic years.
See Tuition and Fees for the current schedule.
Can I spread out tuition payments? What funding options are available?
CIHS offers a Deferred Tuition Plan that divides each quarter’s tuition into three payments: one-third at registration, one-third by the beginning of week four, and one-third by the beginning of week eight. The plan carries an additional fee of $8 per unit.
Students may also explore external scholarships, grants, or private financing for which they qualify. CIHS does not participate in federal or state financial aid programs. See Paying for CIHS for payment information and external funding resources.
Can I speak with someone or attend an information session before applying?
Yes. Use the Request Information form on this page to connect with Admissions and discuss your interests, background, preparation, and study options.
Information sessions offer an opportunity to learn about the curriculum, faculty, and application process and ask questions. Visit the AGI Info Sessions page for events as they are announced. You can request information at any time, whether or not a session is currently scheduled.