The University of Florida was one of the first large U.S. universities to offer every undergraduate, in any major, a short credential in artificial intelligence. Its AI Fundamentals and Applications Certificate, announced in April 2021, has since been awarded to hundreds of students. This guide explains, as of November 2026, how the certificate is structured, how to sign up, and what else UF offers students interested in AI.
How the Certificate Is Structured
The certificate consists of three courses (UF News, April 23, 2021; UF Department of Engineering Education):
- EEL 3872, Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals: a hands-on introduction in which students learn to use existing AI tools. According to Hans van Oostrom, founding chair of UF’s Department of Engineering Education, no prior knowledge is required. In one project, students used machine learning to identify sea turtles in photographs and estimate each turtle’s length and weight, work that would otherwise take biologists hours of manual data entry.
- PHI 3681, Ethics, Data, and Technology: a philosophy course on the moral questions raised by data and AI. When the certificate launched, it was taught by Duncan Purves, then an assistant professor of philosophy, and included case studies such as predictive policing.
- A discipline-specific application course: one course applying AI in a field, offered by colleges across the university. Students may take the application course offered by any college, but should check each course’s prerequisites.
The full list of approved courses is in the UF undergraduate catalog. Associate provost David Reed explained the idea behind the design: “AI is utilized across the entire swath of employment opportunities students are going to see,” so UF chose to build AI training into students’ existing disciplines rather than limit it to computer science.
How to Enroll
- Who can join: students from all majors, technical and non-technical.
- Applying: students apply through the UF Admissions certificate portal and must apply before taking their second course in the certificate. They must also apply separately to graduate with the certificate (UF Department of Engineering Education).
- A lighter option: students who want an overview without the certificate can take EGN 1935, Frontiers of AI, a survey course (UF News).
Results So Far and Other AI Options at UF
According to UF’s AI office, 762 undergraduates have been awarded the AI Fundamentals Certificate, and 71% of a recent spring graduating class had taken at least one AI course (UF Artificial Intelligence: Students). Other opportunities for undergraduates include:
- AI majors, minors and discipline-specific certificates listed by the AI office.
- AI Scholars: a research program for juniors and seniors; 60 students are selected each year.
- AI Medallion: recognition for credit-bearing internships and research experiences in AI.
- Undergraduate research: more than 190 undergraduates have had AI projects supported by UF’s Center for Undergraduate Research.
- Student groups such as the AI² Center Student Club, open to students in any program.
What International Students Should Know
- It is an add-on, not a degree. The certificate is completed alongside a bachelor’s degree. It does not change your major, your I-20 program or your OPT eligibility, which depend on your degree program.
- Plan your course load. F-1 undergraduates must stay enrolled full time, and the three certificate courses usually fit into regular semesters as electives or major requirements. Check with your academic advisor that they count toward your degree.
- Use it in job applications. For students outside computing, such as business, agriculture or journalism majors, a transcript credential in applied AI and AI ethics can help show employers practical skills, including in internship applications that use Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
UF is No. 34 among national universities in the 2027 U.S. News ranking, according to Forward Pathway’s US Colleges Ranking. According to the latest IPEDS data, it enrolled 56,311 students in fall 2025, 5,128 of them international. See our University of Florida profile and our guide to UF’s rankings.