Editor’s Note: This article is part 2 of a 3-part series on the importance of AI education for Accounting Professionals. View all of the articles in this series here: AI Training for Accounting Professionals
Artificial intelligence is changing the skills that business and accounting professionals need, and higher education is moving fast to keep up. Colleges and universities across the country are rolling out programs that help students understand how AI actually works inside real business environments. These programs cover everything from technical basics to ethics, governance, automation, and how to make sense of AI-generated information. The goal is simple: prepare students for roles where good judgment and practical decision-making matter just as much as technical understanding.
AI education in academia has grown far beyond the computer science department. Business schools, accounting programs, and cross-disciplinary initiatives are now offering certificates, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and even doctoral options focused on AI in business. These programs teach students how to evaluate AI tools, work with automated systems, and understand how AI shapes strategy inside an organization. The result is a new wave of graduates who are comfortable working with AI and ready to help others navigate it.
Graduate certificate programs have become a popular way for working professionals to gain AI skills without committing to a full degree. These programs focus on practical applications and help students understand how AI supports strategy, operations, and daily tasks.
"We launched the Artificial Intelligence for Business Certificate to help business professionals across industries build the AI fluency they need to stay competitive as AI reshapes every aspect of decision-making and operations. Our goal is to empower professionals not just to use AI, but to understand it deeply enough to improve workflows, strengthen controls, and create new value for clients." – Changmi Jung, PhD, Academic Program Director, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
Penn State’s certificate program offers a practical approach designed for professionals who want to apply AI to daily business needs.
"Penn State developed this certificate to empower business professionals to lead AI-driven transformation without needing a technical background. We aim to bridge the skills gap by equipping business leaders to confidently integrate AI into their workflows and drive measurable impact while upholding ethical standards." – Amanda Neill, D.Ed., Academic Adviser, The Pennsylvania State University
This reflects a bigger shift happening in academia: it’s no longer enough for future professionals to just know the buzzwords. They need a real understanding of how AI fits into business processes and how to use it in a responsible, thoughtful way.
Undergraduate programs in AI for business are also expanding quickly, giving students an early opportunity to learn how AI influences strategy and decision-making.
At the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management, Pei-yu (Sharon) Chen says, "We created the BS in AI in Business to prepare a new generation of professionals who can identify high-value AI opportunities, build strong business cases, and work across teams and disciplines to deploy responsible and ethical AI systems."
A faculty voice from USC summarizes what many institutions want to achieve.
"We built the AI for Business degree at USC Marshall School of Business, in partnership with USC Viterbi School of Engineering, to produce graduates who are fluent in both the technical language of AI engineers and the strategic language of business. Students progress through full-stack engineering coursework and then apply it in company-sponsored projects that require them to design and deploy real solutions." – Charlie Hannigan, Academic Director, USC Marshall
Students in these programs bring the experience to life with stories of how the curriculum supports both technical growth and career preparation.
Kirti Subramanian, a sophomore at USC, shared this: "I chose BUAI because I believe the future of business lies at the intersection of technology and strategy. The curriculum stood out to me for its blend of technical depth and hands-on business experience.”
Another USC student, Vanya Shrivastava, who is a content creator focused on using machine learning for social good, described the experience as a way to connect technical learning with meaningful real-world projects. "AI is meant to serve society."
Francesca Kubica, a junior at USC, provided another perspective. "This program helped me strengthen the skills necessary for the future of Accounting with a focus on machine learning applications."
Through these firsthand accounts, you can clearly see the purpose behind academic AI education and the impact it’s already having.
Graduate and doctoral programs support deeper exploration of AI concepts and help students develop expertise suited for leadership, research, and strategic roles.
Students in these programs learn how to interpret AI results, consider the ethical side of their work, and bring automation into everyday tasks. These skills help prepare them for the kinds of responsibilities the accounting field is moving toward.
AI education in universities is about helping students think clearly, use good judgment, and understand what these tools can and cannot do. Students spend time interpreting AI output, looking at the ethical implications behind automated systems, and learning where human insight still matters.
These skills give graduates a strong starting point for the work they’ll take on in the accounting profession. The goal is to help students become thoughtful, informed professionals who can navigate change and help their organizations do the same.
Universities play an essential role in helping the accounting field adjust to AI. They can build structured programs, invest in research, train faculty, and collaborate with firms to understand what skills the profession actually needs. All of this gives students a stronger starting point when they enter the workforce.
Academic AI programs also create a foundation for responsible use. Graduates walk into their careers with a clearer sense of how AI works, where it’s helpful, and where human judgment still matters. They’re better equipped to weigh risks, understand limitations, and contribute to conversations around automation and analytics.
As more firms look for employees who understand AI, these academic pathways will only continue to grow and they’re becoming an important part of how the profession prepares for the future.
The next article in this series takes a closer look at professional AI training programs designed specifically for working accountants. While academic programs offer a strong foundation, many professionals need hands-on guidance they can apply right away in client work and daily workflows. We’ll cover real-world training options that help accountants build practical skills and bring AI into their firms with confidence.
This article was written with the assistance of AI and edited by a human.