WorldQuant U Free Grad Cert, Possible Future MScs in AI (NA DEAC)

[Jonathan Whatley]

WorldQuant University (WQU) is launching a free online graduate certificate in Applied AI Fundamentals.

It consists of these five courses, each 3 semester hour credits, scheduled in seven-week terms:

• AAIF 600 Foundations of Disruptive Systems
  
• AAIF 610 Visualizing Disruptive Forces
  
• AAIF 620 Applying AI for Adaptation
  
• AAIF 630 Applying AI for Mitigation
  
• AAIF 640 Leading Ethically in AI-Driven Transformation
  

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and earn at least 75% on a two-hour admission test for the program. An applicant has two attempts to pass the test. WQU’s site provides open access resources to prepare.

The Admissions Test will assess foundational probability concepts including probability distributions, expected value, and risk quantification; statistical competencies including descriptive statistics, statistical inference, and correlation and regression analysis; data visualization skills including reading charts and graphs, interpreting histograms and distributions, and identifying misleading or deceptive visualizations; and critical thinking abilities including quantitative reading and interpretation, logical reasoning, and research and data literacy.

Students who complete the program will receive a digital graduate certificate of completion and emailed transcripts.

The program is described as “entirely free, with no hidden costs.” WorldQuant University is funded by the WorldQuant Foundation, which is connected with the WorldQuant hedge fund, both founded by Igor Tulchinsky.

WorldQuant University is nationally accredited by the DEAC. Applied AI Fundamentals is the second subject WQU will offer an academic credit program in, after Financial Engineering, in which it offers an MScFE and an embedded graduate certificate. No courses overlap between the Financial Engineering and Applied AI Fundamentals programs. Students can be in progress in only one of the two for-credit subjects at one time.

If you’re interested in transferring credit from these courses to another institution, determine whether your intended destination will accept these courses, will accept DEAC credit, and will accept a transcript sent only by email, not on paper.

WQU also offers free project-based learning Labs that lead to non-credit badges and certificates, in Data Science, Deep Learning Fundamentals, and Computer Vision.

Applied AI Fundamentals Graduate Certificate landing page

WQU Catalog

WQU also holds approval from the District of Columbia, its home jurisdiction, to offer an MSc in Applied AI and an MSc in Strategic AI and Innovation. Neither MSc has launched yet.