Associate in Science Artificial Intellligence

This degree not only expands the range of professional roles available to our graduates, but it also empowers them to compete effectively for positions that may have been previously inaccessible due to a lack of experience or educational qualifications placing them at the forefront of technological innovation. Upon completion of this program,students will be well-equipped to pursue a variety of AI-related occupations,such as field support and prompt engineers, AI-enabled operators, expert liaison consultants, customer technical support representatives, and technical support specialists. The acquired skills will enable graduates to collaborate with knowledge systems, providing individuals and organizations with valuable insights into operations and strategic opportunities.

This new degree in artificial intelligence technology will support students seeking to complete their two-year education for a middle- to high-wage, in-demand field. 

Due to the rapid advancements in the training and development of Artificial Intelligence models, AI has emerged as one of the most transformative and groundbreaking technological fields in human history. Focused on the synthesis and aggregation of knowledge, AI has the potential to disrupt every sector of the global economy. Students who can understand and effectively utilize these technologies will be regarded as an organization's most valuable assets. As the technology industry experiences an explosion of cognification—integrating AI into applications and connected devices—businesses are compelled to optimize their operations to maintain their competitive edge. This, in turn, is driving organizations to invest heavily in technology, skilled technicians, and workforce retraining to protect their market share and stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of AI-driven innovation. Though many businesses have yet to develop formal AI integration plans, according to a January 2023 study by the Ark Investment Management LLC, showed that AI should increase the productivity of knowledge workers more than 4-fold by 2030. At 100% adoption,AI could increase global labor productivity ~$200 trillion, dwarfing the ~$32trillion in total knowledge worker salaries. The San Diego region is aligned with this trend, as evidenced by the local Cyber Center of Excellence trade group releasing a study in June 2016 that pointed to over 4,000 people working in cyber security related occupations at more than 800 Life Science companies and 100 Information Technology companies such as ESET, ViaSat, Qualcomm, SAIC,and the Department of Defense among others. Even with a slowdown in hiring,this is up 19 percent from two years ago and is expected to continue to increase as every business that uses the AI, the Internet and related services all being be touched by this rapid adoption of Technology.

The Artificial Intelligence Pathway is not yet defined in the Doing What Matters ICT/Digital Media Information Technology Pathway Labor Market Analysis or by the U.S.Bureau of Labor and Statistics. The field of study most closely aligned with this cutting-edge sector of the ICT industry are the Data Scientists or Information Systems Managers. In California alone, the number of annual predicted job openings within the higher-level positions of the AI Technology Pathway through 2025 is estimated to exceed 10,000, offering a median hourly salary of up to $55.67.Our AI-focused degree and certificate programs aim to provide students with the essential skills and knowledge required to excel in this rapidly growing field, thereby empowering them to contribute to the ongoing AI revolution and secure rewarding careers in various AI-related occupations.

This trend represents an unprecedented opportunity for students with Artificial Intelligence related education and training. Those students who achieve a MiraCosta degree or certificate within the context of education that is directly aligned with industry as critical to organizational operation will be at an advantage for internships and hiring openings in this emerging field. Although this field is emerging The future importance of students being 3rd party certification and degree ready is reinforced by employer responses from the MiraCosta Career Services Spring 2023Business Leaders Survey, as well as, the Doing What Matters Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Research 2022 Report. Most telling from this report is that ICT/Digital Media careers have a job multiplier of 14.93 meaning that for every job single ICT added 14.93 other direct and indirect jobs are created. 

ProgramStudent Learning Outcome:​ ​Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to demonstrate AI Technical Specialist related skills and techniques required of a skilled AI Technologist. 

Students may earn the above-named associate degree by completing a minimum of 60 units including the certificate of achievement and the general education courses required for MiraCosta College's Associate in Science.Students should meet with a MiraCosta counselor to identify required courses and to develop a written educational plan for the specific degree or certificate they wish to earn.

Students who wish to earn an associate degree from MiraCosta must meet the requirements (per MCCD Board Policy/Administrative Procedure 4100).

Program Student Learning Outcome:​ ​Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to demonstrate AI Technical and related skills and techniques required of a skilled AI Technologist. 

Summary Table for Associate in Science: Artificial Intelligence