De Anza launches Silicon Valley AI degree

De Anza College said on May 21 that it will begin offering an Associate in Science degree in Applied Artificial Intelligence in fall 2026, adding what the school called Silicon Valley’s first two-year degree focused on the field. The Cupertino community college said the launch will include six AI-focused credentials and more than 20 other new degree and certificate programs across technology, business, the arts and humanities. The college said the AI pathway is designed for students with no prior coding or data-science background as well as students aiming to transfer to a four-year institution. The move adds a lower-cost entry point to AI training in a region where San Jose State University and other schools already offer graduate-level programs. ### What exactly is De Anza adding this fall? De Anza College said the new offering is an Associate in Science degree in Applied Artificial Intelligence, supported by a stackable set of certificates that students can complete at different levels. The college said students can start with either a credit or no-cost noncredit foundational certificate covering basic AI concepts and methodologies. (deanza.edu) The school said students can then move into technical certificates in machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, prompt engineering and AI agents. De Anza said the associate degree is intended both for students seeking entry-level AI-related jobs and for those planning to transfer. ### Which skills are built into the degree? De Anza’s program outline says the degree will cover classical machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, prompt engineering and responsible AI practices. (deanza.edu) The outline also says students will build programming, math and statistics skills while working on applied AI projects. The same outline says general education courses are meant to give students domain knowledge in fields such as health science, finance, physical science and the arts. (deanza.edu) De Anza’s course listings also show AI-related offerings including Introduction to AI Applied Artificial Intelligence, Introduction to Machine Learning and Fundamentals of Machine Learning. ### Who is the program aimed at? De Anza College said the pathway is meant for students “at any starting point,” including beginners with no coding or data-science experience. (deanza.edu) The college also said it is creating noncredit programs for working professionals and the broader workforce. Ram Subramaniam, De Anza’s vice president of instruction, said the new offerings reflect the college’s view that AI is “one of the defining technologies of our time.” Subramaniam said the programs are intended to help students make informed choices about how they engage with AI and are aligned with the school’s focus on information literacy, personal responsibility and critical thinking. (deanza.edu) (deanza.edu) ### How does this fit with other Silicon Valley AI programs? San Jose State University already offers a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence, a 33-unit graduate program with fall admission, according to the university’s program page. SJSU says the curriculum is aimed at advanced AI skills and is scheduled in a cohort format for working professionals. De Anza’s new associate degree sits lower in the credential ladder. (deanza.edu) The college said its courses are UC- and CSU-transferable and are structured to let students move from introductory certificates to more technical study and then on to a four-year institution if they choose. ### Why is De Anza tying the launch to job demand? De Anza College cited U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections showing employment for data scientists growing 41.7% through 2033. (sjsu.edu) The college said that outlook helped shape a program built around practical and ethical AI skills that can be used across disciplines and in the workplace. The college also added two noncredit workforce-oriented programs: Applying AI at Work and AI in Business. (deanza.edu) De Anza said the first focuses on strategic thinking and workplace use of AI, while the second is aimed at practical use of generative AI tools in areas including marketing, accounting, human resources and analytics. ### What happens next for students? Fall 2026 is the start date De Anza gave for the associate degree, the certificate pathway and the wider batch of new programs. (deanza.edu) The college’s program outline lists the Applied Artificial Intelligence degree as a new fall 2026 program under its Computer Science and Information Systems department, and the school said students will be able to enter through either foundational certificates or the degree track itself. (deanza.edu)