Business AI Certificate
Gain strategic AI expertise to lead, manage and innovate in today’s business landscape.
Lead AI-Driven Transformation in Business
The NC State Business AI Graduate Certificate prepares professionals to lead and assess AI-driven initiatives in real-world business settings. With a blend of technical skills, ethical considerations and strategic leadership, this program equips graduates to harness AI for innovation, productivity, decision-making, customer engagement and organizational performance.
This certificate program is best for:
Early- to mid-career professionals, career changers and recent graduates who want to:
- Lead and manage AI adoption within organizations
- Apply machine learning and generative AI to solve business challenges
- Evaluate ROI, feasibility and ethical implications of AI solutions
- Gain hands-on experience with modern AI tools in business contexts
12 Credit Hours
Typically completed in less than 2 years. Must complete within 4 years.
Open Enrollment
Open to all non-degree-seeking students and NC State graduate students.
Online Delivery*
Available fully online. *Select in-person options available for Jenkins graduate students.
Stackable
Can be applied to Poole College’s master’s degree business programs.
What Makes this Program Unique?
- Strategic AI Leadership: Go beyond analytics—learn to lead and manage AI adoption across industries, from evaluating feasibility to guiding implementation.
- Generative AI Integration: Gain hands-on experience with generative AI tools to enhance customer engagement, streamline operations and support data-driven decisions.
- Ethics and ROI Assessment: Build the judgment to evaluate the return on investment and social responsibility of AI initiatives, ensuring solutions are both effective and ethical.
Faculty Spotlight: AI’s Promise and Pitfalls
Curriculum
To earn the NC State Business AI Certificate, students need to complete 12 credit hours* as outlined in the Plan Requirements below.
*One credit hour represents approximately one hour of direct faculty instruction (delivered in person or online) and at least two hours of additional student work per week.
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | 3 | |
ITAO 558 | Artificial Intelligence in Management | |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Select 9 credit hours from the courses listed below: | ||
ITAO 512 | Business Analysis with SQL | |
ITAO 552 | Predictive Analytics for Business and Big Data | |
ITAO 553 | Data Engineering, Management and Warehousing | |
ITAO 556 | Communications, Privacy, and Ethics in Data Science | |
ITAO 559 | Business Analytics Practicum | |
MKT 552 | Marketing Analytics | |
MKT 541 | Digital Marketing | |
MKT 553 | Machine Learning and AI in Marketing | |
MKT 558 | CRM Analytics | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Student Resources
Students earning graduate certificates have access to many of the same resources as students in our degree programs, including:
- Wolfpack One Card: The Wolfpack One Card (student ID) provides access to student resources, including the university library. For more information, visit Wolfpack One Card Services.
- Campus Resources: Certificate-only students have access to resources such as the Writing Center, wellness programs and entrepreneurship support.
Meet the Program Director
