Last updated: October 12, 2026
A master’s degree in artificial intelligence for healthcare can help professionals understand, build or implement AI in clinical and biomedical settings. But programs with similar names can have very different goals. Some are designed for clinicians who want to evaluate AI without becoming programmers; others emphasize machine learning, medical imaging and technical development. Format also matters: «online» may mean fully asynchronous study, while a hybrid degree can require travel to campus.
This guide compares five programs whose public descriptions identify a healthcare-specific AI focus and an online or hybrid format. It is a practical fit guide, not a ranking. Because several programs are new, published graduate-outcome data may be limited or unavailable.
Quick Answer
Programs at a Glance
| Program | Format and length | Stated emphasis | What to verify before applying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Louis University: MS in Artificial Intelligence in Medicine | Fully online or fully in person; 30 credits | Applying, interpreting and evaluating AI in clinical practice; designed for learners without a computer-science or advanced-math background. | Online tuition, course schedule, capstone options and current admission criteria. |
| University of Louisville: MS in AI in Medicine | 100% online; 30 credit hours | More technical: AI methods, statistical computing, data mining, machine learning, medical-image computing and medical-data management. | Current tuition and fees, programming prerequisites, course sequencing and research opportunities. |
| Thomas Jefferson University: MS in Health AI | Online and asynchronous; 33 credits; published duration 2–4 years | Healthcare-focused AI implementation, health data science, generative AI, ethics, governance and a capstone. | Tuition for the full 33-credit degree, course pace, capstone arrangements and current start dates. |
| University of Florida: MS in Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical and Health Sciences | Hybrid; Gainesville or Jacksonville; full-time students may finish in 1.5 years | Applied and experiential learning, AI design studios and clinical design studios. | Campus attendance, credit total, residency-based tuition, deadlines and prerequisites. |
| IU International University: online AI master’s with healthcare-related study options | Online; 60 or 120 ECTS options are described for its AI master’s offerings | AI foundations with healthcare-related elective pathways, including healthcare and medical imaging. | Which exact degree pathway and electives are available, total fee for that pathway, admission eligibility and recognition in your country. |
The Programs in Detail
1. Saint Louis University: For Clinicians Who Want to Evaluate AI
SLU describes its 30-credit MS in Artificial Intelligence in Medicine as a program for clinicians, healthcare providers and working professionals who want to understand, evaluate and responsibly apply AI in clinical practice. The curriculum includes AI and machine learning, data for AI, image analysis, large language models, reinforcement learning for clinical decision-making, telehealth, precision medicine and genomics, image processing and deep-learning diagnostics, natural-language processing in medicine, and a capstone or internship.
The university says the program is intentionally designed for learners without a computer-science or advanced-mathematics background. Its 2026–2027 catalog lists an application, transcripts and a résumé or CV as admission materials and states that the GRE is not required.
Who should investigate it? Clinicians or healthcare professionals who want to assess AI outputs, understand limitations and lead responsible adoption rather than focus primarily on writing algorithms.
2. University of Louisville: A More Technical Online Route
Louisville launched its 100% online, 30-credit-hour MS in Artificial Intelligence in Medicine in fall 2024. The university describes training in AI methods, statistical computing, data mining, machine learning, medical-image computing and medical-data management. It also identifies research areas such as cancer, medical-image analysis and pathology, and offers an online Certificate in AI in Medicine.
Compared with SLU’s explicitly clinician-first design, Louisville’s stated curriculum is more oriented toward developing and translating technical solutions. Applicants should examine the current course descriptions and prerequisites carefully, especially if they have limited experience in programming, statistics or quantitative methods.
Who should investigate it? Applicants who want a stronger technical foundation for AI development, biomedical data analysis or research. Confirm the current tuition and total fees with the university before comparing it with other degrees.
3. Thomas Jefferson University: Asynchronous Study and Healthcare Implementation
Jefferson’s MS in Health Artificial Intelligence is listed as a 33-credit online degree. The university describes asynchronous coursework for working professionals, with a published duration of two to four years. Its curriculum includes predictive modeling, clinical decision support, natural-language processing applied to electronic health records, workflow optimization, ethics, bias and regulation, and a capstone connected to healthcare problems.
Jefferson also describes an Advanced Practice Certificate in Health AI Analytics. Its current program page is the best place to verify the certificate’s structure and whether credits can be applied to the master’s under the rules in force when you enroll.
Who should investigate it? Professionals who need an online format and want to focus on responsible implementation, analytics and healthcare workflows. Since the program is new, ask what capstone supervision is available and whether the university can share outcomes from graduates once they exist.
4. University of Florida: Hybrid and Experiential Learning
UF’s MS in Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical and Health Sciences is an applied program with online and face-to-face elements. The university describes AI design studios, clinical design studios and experiential electives. Students choose a home campus in Gainesville or Jacksonville; therefore, this is not a fully remote option for someone unable to attend in person.
UF’s admissions page says applicants should have either foundational biological or medical knowledge or a strong computational background. Familiarity with Python or R is optional, and computational training is provided for applicants without a computer-science background. The listed application materials include undergraduate transcripts, a résumé or CV, and three letters of recommendation.
The university’s admissions page lists program costs per credit hour, including fees. The chart below compares the two published rates. These are per-credit figures: calculate the total only after confirming the current required credit total and any additional charges with UF.
University of Florida: published cost per credit hour (including fees)
Who should investigate it? Students who want applied, studio-style work and can meet the hybrid attendance requirements. It may be less suitable for people who need a fully asynchronous degree with no campus visits.
5. IU International University: An Online Option Based in Europe
IU’s online AI master’s offerings describe 60- and 120-ECTS routes and healthcare-related study options, including AI in healthcare and medical imaging. The university advertises flexible study models, online learning and options to take exams online or at an examination centre. Because specializations and degree structures can change, applicants should verify the exact title, pathway, elective availability and credit total for the program they intend to take.
IU publishes general fee schedules for its master’s programs, but the amount depends on the specific course, credit route and study model. A general «starting from» price should not be treated as the confirmed total for a healthcare specialization. Ask for a written cost estimate and confirm the admission route that applies to your previous degree.
Who should investigate it? Applicants who need an online European study option and want to combine AI foundations with healthcare-related electives. Verify the exact healthcare pathway rather than assuming every AI master’s route has the same curriculum.
Certificates: A Lower-Commitment First Step
A certificate may be useful if you want to test the field before committing to a full master’s. It may cover a narrower set of skills, and in some programs credits can count toward a later degree. That is not automatic: check the institution’s current transfer rules, admission conditions and expiry limits.
| Certificate | What is publicly described | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| University of Central Florida: AI in Health Graduate Certificate | Graduate certificate with a minimum of 9 credit hours; the program record describes an online option. | Which courses are available online in the term you plan to study, prerequisites, fees and start dates. |
| Jefferson: Health AI Analytics certificate | University program materials describe an Advanced Practice Certificate related to health AI analytics. | Current number of courses, full cost and whether credits transfer to the MS under your circumstances. |
| University of Louisville: Certificate in AI in Medicine | The university describes an online certificate associated with its AI in Medicine offering. | Current curriculum, admissions, cost and credit transfer rules. |
How to Choose the Right Program
Work through these checks before you compare tuition figures, since a cheaper program can still be the wrong fit.
- Define your goal: build models, analyze biomedical data, evaluate tools clinically, or lead implementation.
- Check entry requirements: programming, statistics, a clinical qualification or specific prior coursework.
- Confirm the real format: «online» may still include live sessions, proctored exams or occasional in-person requirements.
- Look for a substantive project: a capstone, internship or supervised applied project can help you demonstrate what you learned, but it is not a job guarantee.
- Calculate the total price: tuition, mandatory fees, software, travel, examination fees and any additional charges.
- Review accreditation and recognition in the country where you plan to use the qualification.
- Ask about outcomes: for new programs, graduates may not yet exist. Ask about faculty supervision and how the school plans to report results.
- Check credit transfer in writing if you plan to start with a certificate.
Which Program May Fit Your Situation?
| Your priority | Programs worth investigating | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical practice and AI evaluation, without a coding-first curriculum | SLU; Jefferson | Their descriptions emphasize clinical application, implementation or healthcare-specific use. |
| More technical AI and biomedical-data training | Louisville; UF | Their published descriptions include technical methods or applied studios; compare prerequisites carefully. |
| Fully online study while working | SLU online; Louisville; Jefferson; IU | These options describe online delivery, but verify synchronous requirements and exam arrangements. |
| Hands-on studio work with campus access | UF | The program includes experiential studios and a hybrid format. |
| Trying the subject before a full degree | UCF; Jefferson; Louisville certificates | A shorter credential may offer a lower-commitment introduction, subject to current availability and transfer rules. |
This table is an editorial interpretation of published program descriptions, not an independent ranking or an endorsement.
Related reading
- Healthcare AI Careers in 2026: Jobs, Salaries, Skills and How to Get Started
- The Future of AI in Medicine: 2027–2030 Predictions
- What Can AI Actually Do for Doctors in 2027?
Limitations of This Comparison
- Selection, not an exhaustive list: other healthcare AI and medical informatics programs exist; omission is not a judgment about quality.
- University-provided information: course descriptions and program claims come primarily from official sources. We did not independently verify teaching quality or employer outcomes.
- New degrees: recently launched programs may not have a meaningful graduate-outcomes record yet.
- Costs vary: tuition depends on location, enrollment status, study model, credits and fees. Where a current program total was not confirmed, this guide does not invent one.
- Credit systems differ: U.S. credit hours and ECTS are not directly comparable.
The Bottom Line
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a computer-science degree?
Not necessarily. SLU states its program is designed for learners without a computer-science or advanced-mathematics background, and UF provides computational training for applicants without a computer-science background. Technical programs such as Louisville’s expect stronger preparation in programming, statistics or quantitative methods, so check prerequisites for each program.
Are all the programs fully online?
No. SLU offers both fully online and fully in-person versions. UF is hybrid and requires attendance at a Gainesville or Jacksonville campus. Louisville and Jefferson describe online delivery, with Jefferson’s coursework being asynchronous. Even online programs may include live sessions or proctored exams, so verify the schedule.
How long does a master’s take?
It varies. Louisville and SLU list 30-credit programs, Jefferson lists 33 credits with a published duration of two to four years, and UF states that full-time students may finish in about 1.5 years. Part-time study generally takes longer. Confirm the pace with each institution.
Which program is cheapest?
This guide cannot say, because no comparable total cost was confirmed for all five programs. UF publishes per-credit rates ($530.69 for Florida residents and $1,327.88 for non-residents, including fees), and SLU lists $42,000 for the on-ground version, which should not be assumed to be the online price. Request a written, itemized estimate from each institution.
Will a master’s guarantee a job in healthcare AI?
No. A degree can build skills and a portfolio, but it does not guarantee employment or a salary increase. Several of these programs are new, so graduate outcomes may not yet be available.
Can I use a European degree in Spain?
Possibly, but that is a separate question from accreditation. Recognition of a qualification, especially for a regulated profession, depends on the rules of the country and the competent authority. Check the relevant recognition process before enrolling in IU or any other program intended for use in Spain.
Official Program Sources
- Saint Louis University: MS in Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, 2026–2027 catalog. slu.edu
- University of Louisville: Online MS in AI in Medicine. louisville.edu
- Thomas Jefferson University: MS in Health AI. jefferson.edu
- University of Florida: AI in Biomedical and Health Sciences, including admissions and program cost pages. ufl.edu
- IU International University: online AI master’s options, study models and fees. iu.org
- University of Central Florida: AI in Health Graduate Certificate record. ucf.edu