Bridgewater College continues to adapt to changing technologies, becoming one of the region’s leaders in artificial intelligence education, as the institution announced a new 12-credit certificate program at its Nolen School of Business and Professional Studies.
Bridgewater is officially awaiting approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, BC’s accrediting organization, but plans to begin teaching AI literacy in the fall. The coursework will be offered to current BC students through a partnership with Rize Education and will be designed for online completion.
For Bridgewater administrators, the program is designed to teach the responsible use of AI, enabling students to adapt to changing workplace requirements.
“With the growth of AI, it is easier than ever to get information,” Dr. Barbara Long, Dean of the Nolen School at Bridgewater College, said. “But it is not easy to know if it is good information. This certificate focuses on information literacy, critical thinking, and the ethical ramifications of AI usage, among other topics. We believe this certificate will build a foundation of knowledge for students going into 21st-century careers.”
A background in coding or other tech fields is not required for enrollment in the AI literacy program, and students in any major offered by Bridgewater College can add the certificate to their program of study.
The AI literacy certificate is designed to help students learn the best uses of AI tools in academic and professional settings.
It also includes coursework on the ethical ramifications of AI, decision-making, and the use of AI in creativity and design. Students will be taught how to determine when it is OK to use AI, create more productive prompts for AI tools, recognize AI-generated material, and learn about ethical standards and legal issues surrounding the development of AI technology.
“AI is becoming part of everyday coursework and careers across industries,” The Bridgewater College website’s description of the program read. “The AI Literacy Certificate prepares students to engage with these tools thoughtfully and effectively. You’ll learn in a supportive environment that encourages exploration, discussion, and real-world application. The certificate consists of four courses and moves from foundational concepts to applied and ethical uses of AI.”
Additionally, the impact of AI is also among the focuses of 18 students who received summer research funding at Bridgewater College. With funding from the Dr. John W. Martin Summer Science Research Institute and The Research Experience at Bridgewater (TREB), recipients receive free on-campus housing for the duration of their research, along with a stipend.
Recent trends in academia suggest that smaller liberal arts schools, such as Bridgewater, can be among the leaders in AI education.
“What employers will increasingly be looking for are people who can think laterally, challenge assumptions and bring a perspective that can’t be generated by a (large language model),” Christopher Rim, CEO of Command Education, a company that helps advise high school students on the college admissions process, said in a recent CBS News report. “As AI becomes more capable of handling technical execution, raw technical knowledge becomes less of a differentiating quality on its own.”