Best Online AI Master's With a Thesis Option (2026)

• Top Master's76.1 out of 100

  Capitol Technology University

  Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Artificial Intelligence

  Maryland · MPhil

  Capitol Technology University's MPhil Review
• Top Doctorate100.0 out of 100

  Capitol Technology University

  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Artificial Intelligence

  Maryland · Ph.D.

  Capitol Technology University's Ph.D. Review

A program is on this list only if the school's own program or catalog page states a thesis, dissertation or research option. We ranked the eight that qualify on the same measures we use on every list: cost, outcomes, flexibility, depth and track record.

Each program was checked against the school's official pages. The details are on our methodology page. Some thesis options are required and some are optional, so each card says which one applies.

• A thesis option stated on the school's program page
• Master's or doctoral level, delivered online
• Ranked by our program score within each degree level

Scores are the weighted sum of five factors (Cost 30%, Outcomes 25%, Online Flexibility 20%, Program Depth 10%, Track Record 15%), version 1.0. The methodology page shows the rubric for each factor.

Know Whether the Thesis Is Required or Optional

This is the first thing to sort out, because it changes what you're signing up for. At Capitol, the MPhil ends in a written master's thesis and an oral defense, and the MRes ends in a master's dissertation you present and defend. Neither has a non-thesis route.

At other schools, the thesis is a choice. Bridgeport offers a project route with 9 courses or a thesis route with 8. NJIT lets you complete a master's project (DS 700B) or a thesis (DS 701B). Michigan-Dearborn describes coursework, project and thesis options.

Plan Your Thesis Before You Enroll

A thesis is a research project with an advisor, and some schools make you line that up. NJIT says a thesis must relate to AI and needs approval from the program director and a thesis advisor. Its catalog also describes a master's project followed by a master's thesis over two semesters, with a tenure-track faculty member.

Before you apply, email the program and ask who supervises online thesis students, how often you'd meet, and whether you can start a thesis in your first year. DePaul lists a capstone, Master's Research or graduate internship as the options for its final requirement, and its requirements page also says you may complete a Master's Thesis. Ask how that works for online students.

Check Admissions and Background First

These programs differ a lot on who gets in. Bridgeport accepts learners from any field with a bachelor's degree, and says no engineering or computer science background is required. 0 GPA, a computing or STEM bachelor's, and coursework in calculus, programming, data structures, probability and statistics, and linear algebra.

0 GPA and prior programming, math and statistics. 5 GPA and Calculus 1 and 2.

Capitol's MRes is designed for experienced professionals with an AI-related undergraduate degree. Its Machine Learning PhD is for current or experienced professionals in machine learning, AI, computer science or data analytics.

Compare the Real Cost and the Pace

Capitol charges $665 per credit for the MPhil (36 credits) and MRes (30 credits), plus a $55 per credit technology fee. Its PhDs charge $980 per credit for 60 credits, and the Machine Learning PhD notes credits may exceed 60 depending on research time.

Bridgeport lists $1,100 per credit for 30 credits, plus a $510 Computer Science program fee and a $25 per credit textbook fee. NJIT charges $1,284 per credit for 30 credits. DePaul charges $1,003 per credit for 48 credits.

On pace, Bridgeport says as few as 2 years, and NJIT lists 2 years part time. Capitol's AI PhD takes a minimum of two years and typically three. Michigan-Dearborn posts a general graduate rate rather than an online price, so ask for the online figure.