Minnesota State Mankato Launches Bachelor’s Degree in Robotics Engineering, Master’s in Artificial Intelligence
Two new programs to launch this fall
Mankato, Minn. – In response to a rapidly expanding need for skilled robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) professionals, Minnesota State University, Mankato is launching a bachelor of science in robotics engineering program and a master of science in artificial intelligence program this fall.
The robotics engineering bachelor’s degree program is the first and only robotics degree program in Minnesota, and the artificial intelligence master’s degree program is the first and only graduate program of its kind in the Minnesota State system, said Mohammad Alam, dean of Minnesota State Mankato’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology.
“The introduction of these cutting-edge degree programs will provide exceptional opportunities for students to stay in the forefront of the latest technological advancement in the emerging fields of robotics and AI,” said Alam.
Alam said the state-of-the-art programs are meticulously designed to prepare students for emerging demand in industry and government agencies. Alam said the curricula offers a robust theoretical foundation, coupled with practical skills essential for developing impactful robotics and AI solutions in a variety of industries, including agriculture, construction, finance, healthcare and manufacturing.
Students will gain hands-on experience in planning, designing, building, evaluating and deploying robotics and AI solutions for various applications. Additionally, Alam said these programs emphasize responsible robotics and AI practices by exploring the ethical, legal, social and organizational implications of AI applications. Alam said that through industry-based research projects, students will tackle real-world challenges, preparing them to navigate the complexities of robotics and AI deployments in various sectors.
The bachelor’s degree program in robotics is designed for completion within four years, while the master’s degree program in artificial intelligence is designed to be completed in less than two years.
For more information about the new academic programs, please visit https://link.mnsu.edu/msai and https://www.mnsu.edu/academic-catalog/undergraduate/robotics-engineering-bse/.
Alam said the decision to launch the robotics and AI programs directly addresses the growing demand for robotics and AI professionals across industries. He cited recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that indicates a projected 26 percent growth in employment for computer and information research scientists.
Additionally, as of May 2025, Alam said that Indeed.com reports that machine learning engineers, a prominent AI-related role, earn an average annual salary of $146,089 in Minnesota and that robotics engineers earn an average annual salary of $122,804 in Minnesota.
Alam said that based on a study carried out by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, the robotics industry is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 14 percent, from $76 billion in 2023 to $218 billion in 2030.
Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive university with 15,251 students, is part of the Minnesota State system, which includes 26 colleges and seven universities.
