University of Central Oklahoma unveils AI-focused degrees to meet industry demand
The University of Central Oklahoma is introducing a bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence and an MBA concentration in AI management to prepare students for careers in the rapidly evolving field
Keeping up with the rapidly expanding role of AI in our lives can be *** challenge, but universities are trying to prepare *** new generation to take over the artificial intelligence of the future. And so in *** lot of ways this is moving so fast that it feels like it just happened and we’re already playing catch up to it *** little bit. Beginning this fall, the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond will offer *** new bachelor’s degree in AI through the College of Mathematics and Science, focusing on the. Technology behind AI and how to build it. Students are going to be able to learn the origins, the computing requirements, but also the applications. What can I build? What can I do? The university is also launching an MBA concentration focused on AI management designed to help future business leaders understand how to implement AI in the workplace. On the MBA side, our MBA side will be more focused on leaders, so leaders who are thinking about. AI use inside their enterprise. Dr. Russell Evans says the programs were created in response to growing demand across Oklahoma’s biggest industries, including aerospace, defense, energy, and financial services, as employers increasingly integrate AI into daily operations. You combine that culture and that history with *** university like UCO where we have this chart for workforce development, and it just kind of makes sense that that. Oklahoma City would be on the front lines again on some of those, some of those technological disruptions as AI continues to evolve rapidly. Evans says the curriculum will change with it. I think in both programs, both programs will have opportunities to really have courses that are reinvented every, every year. Students will also learn how to use artificial intelligence responsibly, seeing it as *** tool, not *** way to think. And so how do we make sure that we’re not sort of giving AI. The charge to create ideas for us, but instead using it to expand ideas, cultivate ideas, take an idea to something that’s actionable on *** much faster timeline. Russell says as artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, UCO will prepare their students to adapt to one change at *** time. It’s an exciting time if you’re *** student because you’re playing with new technologies. It’s an exciting time if you’re *** faculty because you’re building programs around new technologies. In Edmond, I’m Emma Birch, KOCO 5 News.
Updated: 8:39 PM CDT Jul 9, 2026
Editorial Standards ⓘ
University of Central Oklahoma unveils AI-focused degrees to meet industry demand
The University of Central Oklahoma is introducing a bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence and an MBA concentration in AI management to prepare students for careers in the rapidly evolving field
Updated: 8:39 PM CDT Jul 9, 2026
Editorial Standards ⓘ
The University of Central Oklahoma is launching new degree programs this fall to prepare students for careers in artificial intelligence as the technology continues to reshape industries. Beginning this fall, UCO will offer a bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence through the College of Mathematics and Science, focusing on the technology behind AI and how to build it. “Students will learn the origin, the computing requirements, but also the applications, what can I build, what can I do,” said Dr. Russell Evans, dean of the College of Business. The university is also introducing an MBA concentration focused on AI management, designed to help future business leaders understand how to implement AI in the workplace. “On the MBA side, (it) will be more focused on leaders. So, leaders thinking about AI use inside their enterprise,” Evans said. WATCH: Oklahoma Chronicle: How is AI impacting education in Oklahoma?Evans explained that the programs were created in response to growing demand across Oklahoma’s major industries, including aerospace, defense, energy, and financial services, as employers increasingly integrate AI into their operations. “You combine that culture and that history with a university like UCO, where we have this chart for workforce development,” Evans said. “And it just kind of makes sense that Oklahoma City would be on the front lines again, on some of those technological disruptions.” As AI continues to evolve, Evans said the curriculum will adapt to keep pace with the changes. “I think in both programs, both programs will have opportunities to have courses that’ll be reinvented every year,” he said. Students will also learn how to use AI responsibly, seeing it as a tool to enhance ideas rather than replace human creativity. “And so how do we make sure that we’re not, sort of, giving AI the charge to create ideas for us, but instead using it to expand ideas, cultivate ideas, take an idea to something that’s actionable on a much faster timeline,” Evans said. Evans emphasized that UCO is committed to preparing students to adapt to the changes brought by artificial intelligence. “It’s an exciting time if you’re a student because you’re playing with new technologies, (and an) exciting time for your faculty because you’re building programs around new technologies,” he said.
EDMOND, Okla. —
The University of Central Oklahoma is launching new degree programs this fall to prepare students for careers in artificial intelligence as the technology continues to reshape industries
Beginning this fall, UCO will offer a bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence through the College of Mathematics and Science, focusing on the technology behind AI and how to build it
“Students will learn the origin, the computing requirements, but also the applications, what can I build, what can I do,” said Dr. Russell Evans, dean of the College of Business
The university is also introducing an MBA concentration focused on AI management, designed to help future business leaders understand how to implement AI in the workplace
“On the MBA side, (it) will be more focused on leaders. So, leaders thinking about AI use inside their enterprise,” Evans said
Evans explained that the programs were created in response to growing demand across Oklahoma’s major industries, including aerospace, defense, energy, and financial services, as employers increasingly integrate AI into their operations
“You combine that culture and that history with a university like UCO, where we have this chart for workforce development,” Evans said. “And it just kind of makes sense that Oklahoma City would be on the front lines again, on some of those technological disruptions.”
As AI continues to evolve, Evans said the curriculum will adapt to keep pace with the changes
“I think in both programs, both programs will have opportunities to have courses that’ll be reinvented every year,” he said
Students will also learn how to use AI responsibly, seeing it as a tool to enhance ideas rather than replace human creativity
“And so how do we make sure that we’re not, sort of, giving AI the charge to create ideas for us, but instead using it to expand ideas, cultivate ideas, take an idea to something that’s actionable on a much faster timeline,” Evans said
Evans emphasized that UCO is committed to preparing students to adapt to the changes brought by artificial intelligence
“It’s an exciting time if you’re a student because you’re playing with new technologies, (and an) exciting time for your faculty because you’re building programs around new technologies,” he said
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