MIT Open Learning's Universal AI program is designed to help learners develop fluency in artificial intelligence and gain a deep understanding of the core theories, concepts, and problem-solving methods that define the field. By producing a broad fluency, rather than teaching limited skills that can quickly become obsolete, learners will be equipped to assess, embrace, and master emerging AI technologies as they evolve.

Article Contents

• Structure of the Universal AI Program: the structure and components of Universal AI and how to complete them
• Universal AI Certificates: the different types of certificates Universal AI provides, and their requirements
  • Foundations Course 1 and Its Modules Do Not Award Certificates
• Universal AI Purchase Options: the different ways to purchase Universal AI content and the Subscription Period

Structure of the Universal AI Program

At the highest level, the Universal AI program is split into two different parts: Foundations and Verticals.

Universal AI Foundations

Universal AI Foundations comprises the five Universal AI Foundations Courses. Each Universal AI Foundations Course is a shell containing around 3-4 different Foundations Modules, which contain all of the Course Content and Coursework.

Universal AI Verticals

Universal AI Verticals comprises a number of Universal AI Vertical Courses. Each Universal AI Vertical Course, while referred to as a "course", is currently structured differently than a Foundations Course. Instead of containing multiple Modules, each Vertical Course is essentially a single Module, which contains all of the Course Content and Coursework. At launch, Universal AI offered six Vertical Courses, but we expect to release more over time.

How to Complete Universal AI Courses & Modules

To complete a Universal AI Foundations Course, you must complete all of the Modules it contains. To complete a Foundations Module or Vertical Course, you must complete Coursework and earn a passing Total Course Score—60% or more. See this FAQ article for more information and details about how to complete Universal AI Courses and Modules

Universal AI Certificates

The Universal AI program recognizes completion of its components with three different types of certificates. Learners can earn Universal AI Module Certificates, Universal AI Course Certificates, and a Universal AI Program Certificate by completing the appropriate program components.

Only learners who purchase Universal AI content, via any purchase method, are eligible to earn certificates of any kind for that content, and certificates can only be earned during an active Subscription Period. Continue reading for more information.

Universal AI Foundations Courses & Course Certificates

Each Universal AI Foundations Course focuses on a specific topic area, over approximately three to four individual Universal AI Foundations Modules. All of the Course Material is contained within these Modules. Once a learner earns the Module Certificate for all of a Foundations Course's Modules, they will automatically receive its Universal AI Course Certificate—except for Foundations Course 1 (details below)

The Foundations Courses are listed on the Universal AI Program Page in the "Required Courses" category; they are:

1. Fundamentals of Programming and Machine Learning
2. Fundamentals of Deep Learning
3. Fundamentals of Prescriptive AI and Decision-Making
4. Fundamentals of Large Language Models
5. Fundamentals of Explainability and AI Ethics

Universal AI Foundations Modules & Module Certificates

Each Universal AI Module is effectively a short online course focused on a specific topic area.

Universal AI Foundations Modules are designed to be significantly shorter than a typical online course, focusing on a relatively narrow topic area or set of skills. Each contains around 4-8 lectures, accompanied by knowledge checks, guided exercises, and assignments. Prepared learners can expect each Module to require roughly 7-10 hours of effort over the course of around one week to complete. All Universal AI modules are fully self-paced, allowing learners to progress at their own speed.

Each Universal AI Foundations Module focuses on a specific skill or sub-topic within its parent Universal AI Course. All of a Foundations Course's actual Course Material is contained within its Modules. Learners must master the Course Material and complete Coursework to earn Course Score. Once a learner achieves a passing score in a Module, they will automatically receive its Universal AI Module Certificate—except for Foundations Course 1 (details here)

See the Foundations Courses' Course About Pages for more information about individual Modules. Links are provided here

Foundations Course 1 and Its Modules Do Not Award Certificates

Universal AI Foundations Course 1 and its Foundations Modules do not award either Module Certificates or a Course Certificate, but the completion criteria for both is identical to the other Foundations Courses and Modules.

Although they do not award certificates, completion of Foundations Course 1 and its Modules is required to complete the Universal AI Program and earn the Program Certificate.

Universal AI Verticals Courses & Course Certificates

Universal AI Verticals Courses build on and expand the core curriculum of Universal AI Foundations, serving as additional learning paths, but can also be taken and completed on their own. Each Course focuses on a single industry-specific vertical, tailored to provide applications of AI concepts in a specific domain so that learners can focus on the aspects of AI most relevant to their career or interests.

Verticals Courses may vary in length and complexity, and may significantly exceed the length and amount of content typical of Foundational Modules, focusing on broader or multiple topic areas. All Universal AI modules are fully self-paced, allowing learners to progress at their own speed.

The Vertical Courses are listed on the Universal AI Program Page in the "Industry-specific Verticals" category. Click on the title of a Vertical Course on the Program Page to visit its Course About Page for more information.

The Universal AI Program Certificate

The Universal AI Program Certificate corresponds to the Universal AI Foundations Courses and their Modules, and is currently available only to learners who purchase the Universal AI Program Bundle.

To earn the Program Certificate, after purchasing the Program Bundle, you must complete every Foundations Module in Foundations Courses 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. You will receive Course Certificates for Foundations Courses 2, 3, 4, and 5 and their Modules. You will not receive certificates for Foundations Course 1 or its modules (details here).

Upon completion of the final remaining Foundations Course, you will receive the Universal AI Program Certificate. Please see this FAQ article for more information about Universal AI Certificates, including the timeline of availability

Universal AI Purchase Options

The Universal AI program is available for purchase both altogether as a Program Bundle, and separately as individual Courses—as described below. Specific Universal AI Modules are not available for individual purchase.

Program Bundle purchase option

The Universal AI Program Bundle includes all five Foundations Courses (and their Modules) and all Verticals Courses available at the time of purchase.

Purchase of the Program Bundle provides immediate access to all included Universal AI content and a one-year Subscription Period within which to complete it and earn its certificates.

The Program Bundle purchase option awards the Universal AI Program Certificate upon completion of the Universal AI Foundations Courses.

Subscription Period

When you purchase the Universal AI Program Bundle, you have one year (the Subscription Period) of full access to the Universal AI program, which includes:

1. Access to all five Universal AI Foundations Courses and their respective Modules, as well as any content updates released during the Period
2. Access to every Universal AI Verticals Course available at the time of purchase, as well as any released during the Period
3. The ability to complete Coursework and earn each Module Certificate, Course Certificate, and the Universal AI Program Certificate
4. Access to and use of the AskTIM AI assistant within Universal AI Courseware

After the Subscription Period ends (one year after the date of purchase):

• You will retain access to all of the Course Content for all Universal AI content, as it was available to you during the Subscription Period, indefinitely
• You will not receive any further updates to that content or access to any subsequently released content
• You will no longer be able to complete Coursework or earn additional certificates for Universal AI content

Individual Course purchase option

Universal AI Foundations Courses, except for Course 1, and all Universal AI Verticals Courses are available for individual purchase. Foundations Course 1 is available for free enrollment to all learners, providing a way to try the program before purchasing it, but it is not available for individual purchase. Free enrollment includes access to all Foundations Course 1 Modules and all of their Course Content.

Purchase of an individual Universal AI Course provides immediate access to the Course and all of its Modules, and a one-year Subscription Period within which to complete it and earn its certificates.

Subscription Period

When you purchase an individual Universal AI Course, you have one year (the Subscription Period) of full access to the Course, which includes:

1. Access to all of the Course's Universal AI Modules, as well as any content updates released for them during the Period
2. The ability to complete Coursework and earn the Module Certificates and Course Certificate
3. Access to and use of the AskTIM AI assistant within Universal AI Courseware

After the Subscription Period ends (one year after the date of purchase):

• You will retain access to all of the Course Content included in your purchase, as it was available to you during the Subscription Period, indefinitely
• You will not receive any further updates to that content or access to any subsequently released content
• You will no longer be able to complete Coursework or earn additional certificates for that content