New online AI in Education Graduate Certificate equips educators with powerful digital tools for today’s learning spaces
As artificial Intelligence transforms teaching and learning, Purdue University’s College of Education has unveiled its new AI in Education Graduate Certificate.
The program continues Purdue’s vision to lead in the AI space. It follows the December 2025 announcement of AI@Purdue, a strategic plan that includes five pillars: Learning with AI, Learning about AI, Research AI, Using AI and Partnering in AI.
The AI in Education Graduate Certificate is designed to equip educators, corporate trainers and instructional designers with the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate and integrate artificial intelligence into any learning environment.
“Purdue University is leading the way in response to a rapidly changing educational landscape where AI is increasingly defining how students learn and how institutions assess success,” said John P. Broome, clinical associate professor of social studies education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
Learn how to utilize AI in education and learning
The program offers a comprehensive foundation on the use of AI in educational contexts while providing skills that can immediately be put to use in professional spaces. Those completing the certificate will be empowered to enhance their instructional techniques with AI and learn to design and create AI applications.
It also trains educators to utilize AI within an ethical framework. While AI has been used in classrooms for years, there is a growing concern about the lack of ethical safeguards surrounding its use. In 2025, a study by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) found 19 percent of schools and universities have formal policies regarding AI. The AI in Education Graduate Certificate helps instructors understand the need for an electronic safety net and the tools to construct it.
By offering this certificate now, the College of Education provides educators with the necessary research-based competencies to stay ahead of the curve as artificial intelligence becomes a fundamental part of the education spectrum.
John p. Broom
clinical associate professor of social studies education
“The ethical portion is essential to ensure that AI is used to solve specific problems without compromising the integrity of teaching and learning,” Broome said. “By examining ethical issues, students can establish guidelines for meaningful integration, ensuring that the use of Generative AI is handled responsibly within modern learning environments.”
Wayne E. Wright, associate dean for research, graduate education and faculty development, said, “We are excited to offer this new graduate certificate which builds on the AI expertise of our faculty. This certificate is a natural outgrowth of our annual AI in P12 Education conference which brings together researchers, teachers, administrators, and industry partners to discuss effective, practical, and ethical applications of AI in the classroom.”
Courses include:
AI Integration in Education — This course equips educators with the technical foundation needed to use generative AI to design applications using Google Teachable Machine. Students will develop a blueprint for the ethical use of AI in learning contexts.
AI Applications in STEM Education — Focused on the opportunities offered by AI to those who specialize in STEM, this program explores the use of AI as an “assistant.” Students will explore learning models and use them to investigate the challenges in teaching and learning with AI.
Computerized Adaptive Testing — Students will learn how AI measures learning through Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT), AI programming tool found in most online tests. This course explores how AI works as an assessment tool, how to evaluate scholarly materials before using them, and how to determine the impact of AI on teaching and learning.
This nine-credit program is 100 percent online, allowing learners the flexibility to complete the program at their own pace. Most courses take eight weeks to complete. This certificate is also available residentially as a concurrent degree option for students already enrolled in a residential graduate degree program at Purdue West Lafayette.
In 2026, the College of Education’s portfolio of online master’s degree programs was ranked No. 13 nationally by the U.S. News & World Report, No. 9 for Instructional Media Design (Learning Design & Technology), No. 10 for Curriculum and Instruction, and No. 16 for Educational Administration (Educational Leadership & Policy Studies).
For more information, visit the program’s website.