De Anza Launches Silicon Valley AI Degree

De Anza College is adding an applied artificial intelligence degree to its fall 2026 lineup, putting a two-year AI credential into a region better known for graduate programs and employer training. The Cupertino community college said on May 21 that the new Associate in Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence will launch with six additional AI-focused credentials and more than 20 new programs across technology, business, arts and humanities. College officials said the pathway is aimed at both beginners and students planning to transfer to four-year universities. The curriculum includes machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, prompt engineering and responsible AI, according to the college and program documents. ### What exactly is De Anza launching this fall? The new credential is a 90-unit Associate in Science degree in Applied Artificial Intelligence, according to De Anza program materials. The college said the degree is part of a stackable pathway that starts with introductory options for students with no background in coding or data science and extends to transfer-ready coursework and entry-level job preparation. (deanza.edu) Program documents describe the degree as a mix of theory and hands-on work. Students will study classical machine learning and deep learning, natural language processing, prompt engineering and responsible AI practices, while also building skills in programming, math and statistics through applied projects. ### Who is the program meant for? De Anza said the pathway was designed for students at different starting points. (deanza.edu) The college said students without prior coding or data-science experience can begin with either a credit certificate or a no-cost noncredit foundational certificate covering basic AI concepts and methods. The college is also offering nondegree options aimed at workers already in the labor market. (deanza.edu) De Anza said its Applying AI at Work certificate will focus on strategic thinking and workplace use of AI, while an AI in Business certificate will cover generative AI tools for marketing, accounting, human resources and analytics. ### What will students study beyond generative AI tools? (deanza.edu) Course listings show the program reaches beyond chatbot-style prompting. De Anza’s Computer Science and Information Systems department lists classes including Fundamentals of Machine Learning, Introduction to Prompt Engineering and AI Agents, Implementing Responsible AI, Introduction to Deep Learning and Introduction to Natural Language Processing. (deanza.edu) Certificate documents show the sequence is meant to deepen over time. The introductory certificate is designed for students with limited programming, math and statistics background, while the advanced certificate moves into AI libraries, toolkits and frameworks and ends with a capstone project using real-world data. ### How does transfer fit into the plan? (deanza.edu) De Anza said the curriculum includes UC and CSU-transferable courses. The college said that design is intended to let students build credentials recognized across Silicon Valley while keeping a path open to a four-year institution. Transfer is a central selling point for the college more broadly. (deanza.edu) De Anza describes itself as Silicon Valley’s top community college for transfers to University of California, California State University and private four-year schools, and California’s ASSIST system is the state repository students use to check public-college transfer articulation. ### Why is De Anza tying the degree to “responsible AI”? (deanza.edu) 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.” He said the programs are aligned with the school’s core competencies in information literacy, personal responsibility and critical thinking. (www2.deanza.edu) De Anza said the curriculum places a strong emphasis on responsible AI development and ethical practice. Program descriptions echo that language, saying students will examine ethical considerations alongside technical methods and applied projects. ### What case is the college making for demand? De Anza cited U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections showing employment for data scientists growing 41.7% through 2033. (deanza.edu) The college used that figure to argue that students in Silicon Valley are entering the field at a time when employers are expanding AI-related hiring. The launch also comes as Foothill-De Anza has been building a broader district-level AI presence. (deanza.edu) The district’s AI hub describes a focus on inter-college collaboration and responsible innovation, while trustees approved the degree and related certificates for 2026-27, according to district and student media materials. Fall 2026 is the next concrete milestone. De Anza said students can find the new program through its degree pages and class schedule, where the college posts course availability and instructional format details for upcoming terms. (deanza.edu) (deanza.edu) (ets.fhda.edu)