Howard University is currently offering its first Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence Certificate program during the 2026-2027 academic year to expand learning opportunities in AI. The University-wide certificate program, which officially launched this fall, is geared to equip students with foundational and fundamental AI knowledge, ethical frameworks, and applied skills needed to engage responsibly with technologies shaping society and the workforce.  

Listed in the College of Engineering and Architecture, the credit-bearing academic program includes three courses totaling nine credits, open exclusively to juniors and seniors from all majors. Prior knowledge of AI is not required to enroll in the program. 

Understanding AI Inside and Out 

Anthony K. Wutoh, Ph.D., R.Ph., Howard’s provost and chief academic officer, said: “Our new Artificial Intelligence Certificate for undergraduate students creates valuable opportunities for our students at a time when more employers are seeking graduates with AI knowledge and skills. The certificate also prepares students to understand and apply AI ethically, while considering its broader implications across both technical and non-technical fields.” 

Dr. Talitha Washington, executive director of Howard’s Center for Applied Data Science and Analytics and co-chair of the President’s AI Advisory Council with Wutoh, said: “The courses in the certificate program are designed to equip students to be able to understand what AI is and what it isn’t. It’s about being able to articulate the benefits and the risks from an informed perspective, so it’s not just hype or what one sees online. We want our students to be equipped with knowledge so that they can address complex issues and opportunities that we are all facing with AI.” 

The courses offered in the new program are: EGPP 421 Introduction to AI Tools and Techniques, developed by Dr. Harry Keeling and taught by Dr. Anietie Andy (MSc ’09, Ph.D’17); EGPP 422 Ethical and Responsible AI, developed and taught by Washington; and AI in the Disciplines. The courses can be taken in order of preference.   

The introductory course offers key concepts in AI including machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and generative AI. Ethical and Responsible AI looks at ethical, societal, and human-centered AI through the lens of Howard’s mission. Finally, AI in the Disciplines applies AI concepts within a student’s field of study through discipline-specific coursework offered across the University. 

Washington said the certificate is currently only offered to juniors and seniors because she didn’t have an idea of how many students would be interested in the program. Additionally, “by the time they graduate, the AI technologies may be more relevant as they enter the workforce because it’s a shorter time window to graduation. We’re still developing and continuously updating our courses to ensure that our curriculum is aligned with these emerging technologies.” 

More AI on the Way 

Graduate and executive education programs are expected to be developed in the future.  

Other units across campus are also developing AI into their curriculum, such as one forthcoming focusing on AI and African Studies that Washington is excited about. 

Groundwork for the AI certificate program began in 2024 when the President’s AI Advisory Council was formed, made up of leaders from around the University. The AI Advisory Council’s subcommittees are AI Strategy and Governance, AI Capacity and Expertise, and AI Infrastructure and Partnerships.  

A workshop was held October 2025 at the Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library, where over 80 faculty from across the University shared ideas that informed the development of the certificate. The workshop was followed up with a faculty update session in December 2025 to fine tune the certificate. To expand the AI in the Disciplines courses, two summer Faculty Bootcamps on Building AI Curriculum Across Disciples events, focusing on generative AI and agentic AI, were held June 9-11 and July 21-22 at the A.I. Frederick Undergraduate Library. The bootcamps were hosted by the Howard AI Network and Powered by Amazon Web Services.   

Educators from various disciplines at Howard and other institutions gathered to design learning experiences that prepare students to use AI effectively and responsibly.  

The goal at the forefront, said Washington, was to “develop and expand AI opportunities across the University including academic offerings, educational offerings.” 

The AI and Expertise Subcommittee, led by Dr. Kenneth Anderson, associate provost for undergraduate studies, played a central role in shaping the program’s concept. What was determined, Washington continued, was that “we need to have academic program offerings and expand academic program offerings in this age of AI. What should it be and what should it look like. We considered a lot of different possibilities and agreed it would be best to have a program that resonates with all programs from all disciplines. And we wanted it to be relevant, current and cutting edge, a program where the courses have to be updated every semester because of how AI technology is evolving. “ 

For more information on the Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence Certificate Program, email Talitha Washington at ai.howard.edu.