SHIELDS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
AI Literacy, Minor
AI Literacy is a career game changer for any major.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping every industry—and employers are looking for professionals who know how to use it. According to the ManpowerGroup 2026 Talent Shortage Survey, AI skills are now the hardest capabilities for employers to find worldwide. In Saint Francis University's AI Literacy program, you'll develop practical AI knowledge that can help you stand out in today's job market while preparing for the opportunities of tomorrow.
Here is how this program helps you be ready for the job market:
- Build In-Demand Skills: Develop practical AI competencies that employers around the world are actively seeking.
- Real-World Experience: In the program capstone course, you'll be tasked with solving supply chain issues of real corporations, which provides you with a portfolio of supply chain planning work.
- Apply AI Across Industries: Learn how AI is transforming healthcare, education, business, government, the arts, and countless other fields.
- Solve Real-World Problems: Discover how AI can improve decision-making, increase efficiency, and support innovation in your profession.
Use AI Responsibly: Gain the knowledge to apply AI thoughtfully and ethically while understanding its broader impact on society.
Prepare for What's Next: Graduate with the confidence to integrate AI into your career and adapt as technology continues to evolve.
Offered: On-Campus
Is AI Literacy Right for Me?
pairs with any major
-
Are you fascinated by how technology, especially AI, can solve business problems and big societal challenges? If you are naturally curious, always exploring new ideas and how things work, this minor is a perfect fit. By understanding AI’s potential and learning to apply it in fields like environmental science, medicine, or entrepreneurship, you can make a meaningful difference in the world.
-
If you want to combine a love for the arts with an interest in technology, AI can be a tool to push the boundaries of creativity and design. Technology can enhance artistic expression in digital art, music production, and creative writing, With this minor you can explore AI in creative industries — graphic design, music, film, or virtual reality through AIL III (AI for Creativity and Design).
-
Are you driven by a strong sense of justice and ethics? Do you care deeply about how AI impacts society and want to ensure it is used responsibly? Understanding AI Literacy can help you be an advocate for fairness, accountability, and transparency in technology. Explore how to influence the development and implementation of AI in ways that promote ethical use through careers such as law, policy-making, or social entrepreneurship.
Are you fascinated by how technology, especially AI, can solve business problems and big societal challenges? If you are naturally curious, always exploring new ideas and how things work, this minor is a perfect fit. By understanding AI’s potential and learning to apply it in fields like environmental science, medicine, or entrepreneurship, you can make a meaningful difference in the world.
If you want to combine a love for the arts with an interest in technology, AI can be a tool to push the boundaries of creativity and design. Technology can enhance artistic expression in digital art, music production, and creative writing, With this minor you can explore AI in creative industries — graphic design, music, film, or virtual reality through AIL III (AI for Creativity and Design).
Are you driven by a strong sense of justice and ethics? Do you care deeply about how AI impacts society and want to ensure it is used responsibly? Understanding AI Literacy can help you be an advocate for fairness, accountability, and transparency in technology. Explore how to influence the development and implementation of AI in ways that promote ethical use through careers such as law, policy-making, or social entrepreneurship.
The SFU LEARNING EXPERIENCE
AI Literacy the Saint Francis Way
AI is transforming sectors like healthcare, education, and the arts, increasing the need for AI-proficient professionals. Saint Francis University’s AI Literacy program teaches you how AI applies across industries, and prepares you for the impact it will have across millions of different career paths. No coding experience required.
Find your future with an AI multiplier!
Pairing an AI Literacy minor with your major is a great path for any SFU students. AI skills are now the #1 hardest skill set for employers to fill globally — according to a survey of 39,000 employers across 41 countries. Employers in every industry are looking for people who understand AI, and right now, they can’t find them. This minor can help you stand out.
The best way to explore what the student experience really looks like is to schedule a visit!
CURRICULUM & COURSES
What You’ll Learn in the AI Literacy Minor Program
The Minor in Artificial Intelligence Literacy introduces students to the foundations of artificial intelligence and its growing role across professional disciplines. The minor is designed to help students understand how AI systems work, how generative AI tools can be used effectively in professional settings, and how to evaluate AI outputs responsibly.
AI For Everyone
Introduction to AI concepts and their real-world applications, providing a foundational understanding for all students. No technical background required.
AI for Decision-Making
Focuses on how AI tools can support and enhance decision-making processes in various domains.
AI for Creativity and Design
Explores the use of AI in creative industries and design, emphasizing innovative and practical applications.
AI Ethics
Addresses the ethical theories and legal frameworks surrounding AI, covering issues such as bias and fairness, privacy and accountability, and the broader impacts on society and culture.
Credential | Delivery | Course Catalog | Plan of Study |
|---|---|---|---|
Minor in AI Literacy | on-campus program | Plan of Study |
This program includes courses offered online through a consortium of accredited colleges and universities. All courses within the program are delivered by faculty employed by partner institutions in the consortium, with technology and administrative support provided by Rize Education.
Courses offered through the consortium are reviewed and approved by Saint Francis University. Students register through SFU and receive academic credit from SFU.
Upon Completion of this program, students are able to:
- Demonstrate, in the Spirit of Saint Francis in the Marketplace, knowledge of the ethical value choices and responsibilities of businesses and business leaders.
- Demonstrate the ability to professionally communicate.
- Demonstrate practical knowledge of artificial intelligence and its role across modern organizations.
Experienced business faculty who love to teach
Our professors have real-world professional experience in their chosen fields and make it a priority to help students understand how various theoretical concepts apply to actual practice. You will have many opportunities to work one-on-one or in small groups with the faculty. Guest speakers and site visits augment the instruction in several courses to enrich the value of the program.
Department Contact: Dr. Angela Seidel, aseidel@francis.edu, 814-472-3076
Career Outcomes in AI Literacy
Because AI Literacy is non-technical and designed to pair with any major, its career outcomes are best understood as multipliers — what students can achieve when they combine their primary field of study with AI skills. The following examples illustrate how the program translates across disciplines.
Healthcare Administration + AI Literacy = Clinical Information Specialist Uses
AI-driven analytics to inform medical decisions and optimize patient care. Acts as the bridge between healthcare practice and technology, ensuring data-driven insights are effectively integrated into clinical settings.
Education + AI Literacy = Digital Learning Coordinator
Uses AI to customize educational experiences, develop adaptive learning programs, and modernize instruction. Ensures students receive the most relevant and effective instruction through technology-driven approaches.
Digital Marketing + AI Literacy = Digital Media Specialist
Uses AI algorithms to analyze trends, optimize marketing strategies, and create targeted content that resonates with audiences and enhances online presence.
Pre-Law + AI Literacy = AI Compliance Officer
Ensures AI applications adhere to legal and ethical standards; monitors systems for compliance with regulations around privacy, fairness, and transparency. This executive-level role is crucial in maintaining trust in AI usage. Typically requires further education (J.D.).
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about the AI Literacy Minor
-
The AI Literacy program is built for students who want to understand how AI works and develop fundamental skills to leverage this technology in their future careers. This program is ideal for everyone and is not limited to those pursuing technical degrees. No coding experience or AI background required — only basic familiarity with using computers.
-
After completing the AI Literacy program, students can enter a broad range of fields, applying AI to enhance their work. This program is designed to help students become more effective in their future roles, rather than find careers in AI specifically. Potential examples include healthcare administrators using AI for patient data analysis, educators integrating AI in teaching methods, creative professionals employing AI in their work, and legal or government professionals improving public services through AI.
-
The AI Literacy program equips students with versatile skills applicable across virtually any industry. Understanding AI enhances one’s ability to innovate, make data-driven decisions, and stay relevant in a rapidly evolving job market — irrespective of the specific career path chosen. This is the core value proposition of the program.
The AI Literacy program is built for students who want to understand how AI works and develop fundamental skills to leverage this technology in their future careers. This program is ideal for everyone and is not limited to those pursuing technical degrees. No coding experience or AI background required — only basic familiarity with using computers.
After completing the AI Literacy program, students can enter a broad range of fields, applying AI to enhance their work. This program is designed to help students become more effective in their future roles, rather than find careers in AI specifically. Potential examples include healthcare administrators using AI for patient data analysis, educators integrating AI in teaching methods, creative professionals employing AI in their work, and legal or government professionals improving public services through AI.
The AI Literacy program equips students with versatile skills applicable across virtually any industry. Understanding AI enhances one’s ability to innovate, make data-driven decisions, and stay relevant in a rapidly evolving job market — irrespective of the specific career path chosen. This is the core value proposition of the program.