
Building Autonomous Systems for Real-World Applications
The Agentic AI Program from Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science Executive Education is a seven-week program designed to equip technical professionals with the skills to design, build, and evaluate intelligent autonomous systems. The learning journey progresses from foundational large language model (LLM) capabilities to agentic system design, covering single-agent and multi-agent architectures, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and structured reasoning patterns.
As agentic artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transitions from experimentation to production deployment, the core challenge is no longer model access or prompting quality but system design, coordination, evaluation, and observability. Through live online sessions led by Carnegie Mellon University faculty, hands-on coding labs, and a structured capstone project, this program will help you build the technical proficiency required to move beyond isolated experiments and design reliable, real-world agentic AI systems. By the end of the program, you will be able to start designing and building intelligent systems that scale, adapt, and perform reliably in practice.
Prerequisites: participants should have a working-level knowledge of Python, algorithm design, data structures, LLMs, and AI.
Build autonomous agents that incorporate memory, tools, and structured reasoning.
Implement retrieval techniques using embeddings and vector databases to enhance agent outputs.
Design multi-agent workflows with defined roles and coordination logic.
Integrate external application programming interfaces (APIs) and tools to extend agent capabilities.
Apply evaluation and safety practices to improve agent reliability and performance.
Develop an agentic, autonomous AI system that addresses a real-world problem.
Hands-on experiences are embedded throughout the program through guided virtual labs, assignments, and project work that mirror how agentic AI systems are developed and assessed in practice.
Development environments and models: Work in Python-based environments using Jupyter notebooks, Google Colab, and local or cloud-based setups, with hands-on knowledge of OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, Mistral, and interfaces, such as ChatGPT and Claude.
Agent frameworks and evaluation tools: Design agentic and multi-agent workflows using LangChain, LangChain Expression Language, CrewAI, and LangGraph; apply reasoning patterns such as ReAct and Tree-of-Thought; implement RAG with FAISS, Chroma, or Pinecone; and evaluate system behavior using LangSmith, Helicone, and Rebuff.
Capstone project: Independently design and build an end-to-end agentic AI system that integrates agent design, external tools, and evaluation practices to address a real-world problem from a preselected project list. You will present your project in the final module.
This program is designed for technical professionals who are preparing for emerging responsibilities in agent-based AI systems and want to strengthen their applied, system-level capabilities. The program is particularly suitable for:
AI and machine learning engineers
Software engineers and developers
Full-stack and backend engineers
Engineers
Data scientists and analytics professionals
Prerequisites: participants should have a working-level knowledge of Python, algorithm design, data structures, LLMs, and AI.
The program’s comprehensive curriculum, which includes seven modules, faculty-led live online sessions, and virtual labs, is designed to help you progress from working with language models to engineering agentic AI systems that can reason, coordinate, and operate in real-world settings.
Module 1: Foundations of Agentic AI and LLM Capabilities
Module 2: Agent Architecture: Memory, Tools, and Reasoning Loops
Module 3: RAG Agents and Vector Databases
Module 4: Tree-of-Thought Reasoning and Multi-Agent Concepts (Part 1)
Module 5: Multi-Agent Workflows With CrewAI and LangGraph (Part 2)
Module 6: Evaluation, Guardrails, Logging, and Observability
Module 7: Capstone Project
Live Online Sessions*
Note: *The live session topics and schedules are subject to change.

At Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science Executive Education, we provide the skills and tools necessary to solve real-world technical problems by equipping the next generation of technology leaders with the experience, insights, and novel solutions developed by our community of computer science experts. From custom training programs to online individualized learning, our cutting-edge programming — backed by faculty who pioneered the field — takes your skill set to the next level, giving you the tools to tackle your organization’s next technological challenge.







Note: *Live session schedules are subject to change based on speaker availability.
Explore research-led case studies that illustrate how foundational advances in LLMs, reasoning techniques, and agentic systems inform real-world AI design and evaluation.





Russell V. Trader Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering; Courtesy Appointments, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Machine Learning
Amir Barati Farimani is an AI and machine learning researcher whose work focuses on the application of machine learning, data science, and simulation to complex scientific and...

Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a verified digital certificate of completion from Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science Executive Education. This is a training program, and it is not eligible for academic credit.
Your digital certificate will be issued in your legal name and emailed to you, at no additional cost, upon completion of the program per the stipulated requirements. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science Executive Education.
The Agentic AI Program is a seven-week online and live online certificate program from Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science Executive Education that focuses on agentic AI training. The program combines faculty-led live online sessions, guided virtual labs, assignments, and a capstone project to help participants develop practical skills in designing, building, and evaluating intelligent autonomous AI systems using modern agent frameworks and real-world tools.
Learning AI agents in a structured way typically involves combining conceptual grounding with hands-on development. In this Agentic AI Program from Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science Executive Education, participants learn through live online sessions, guided virtual labs, and applied project work. The curriculum emphasizes building AI agents using modern frameworks and reasoning techniques, helping learners gain practical experience with real-world agentic AI systems.
An agentic AI certificate can be achieved after completing this live online program. Participants who successfully complete the Agentic AI Program receive a verified digital certificate of completion from Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science Executive Education. This digital certificate recognizes completion of the structured learning experience focused on agentic AI concepts, frameworks, and practical applications.
Agentic AI systems introduce additional complexity beyond basic model usage, including coordination, reasoning, evaluation, and reliability considerations. While self-study depends on your professional goals, a structured agentic AI training would combine guided instruction with hands-on practice. The Agentic AI Program from Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science Executive Education is designed to support that learning progression through seven structured modules, guided virtual labs, faculty-led live online sessions, and project-based work.
This Agentic AI Program from Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science Executive Education is designed for technical professionals working on or adjacent to AI systems, including AI and machine learning engineers, software engineers, full-stack developers, and data scientists. Participants are expected to have a working-level knowledge of Python, algorithm design, data structures, LLMs, and artificial intelligence. The program is structured to help you gain hands-on experience building and evaluating agentic AI systems in real-world contexts.
This agentic AI course emphasizes system-level design, covering architecture, reasoning workflows, evaluation, and observability. The curriculum combines live online sessions, guided virtual labs, in-demand frameworks and platforms, and a capstone project to support deeper technical understanding and practical applications in real-world environments.
In the Agentic AI Program from Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science Executive Education, participants gain practical skills through hands-on work in guided virtual labs led by a CMU PhD learning facilitator, applied assignments, and a capstone project in which they independently design and build an end-to-end agentic AI system addressing a real-world problem. The program focuses on designing agentic AI systems, developing single-agent and multi-agent workflows, integrating external tools and APIs, and evaluating system behavior using modern frameworks, enabling learners to apply these skills in practical, real-world contexts.
Whether an agentic AI course is worth the investment depends on your career goals. For technical professionals, the Agentic AI Program from Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science Executive Education provides hands-on training, exposure to in-demand tools, and practical experience building and evaluating agentic AI systems as organizations increasingly adopt autonomous and agent-based AI technologies.
How do I know if this program is right for me?
After reviewing the information on the program landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the program brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions on whether this program is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated program advisor will follow-up with you very shortly.
Are there any prerequisites for this program?
Some programs do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the program landing page, as well as in the program brochure. If you are uncertain about program prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at the ID mentioned above.
Note that, unless otherwise stated on the program web page, all programs are taught in English and proficiency in English is required.
What is the typical class profile?
More than 50 percent of our participants are from outside the United States. Class profiles vary from one cohort to the next, but, generally, our online certificates draw a highly diverse audience in terms of professional experience, industry, and geography — leading to a very rich peer learning and networking experience.
What other dates will this program be offered in the future?
Check back to this program web page or email us to inquire if future program dates or the timeline for future offerings have been confirmed yet.
How much time is required each week?
Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.
How will my time be spent?
We have designed this program to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible.
The program is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and to demonstrate an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please email us if you need further clarification on program activities.|
What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?
More than 300,000 learners across 200 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programs said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.
All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the program delivers the desired learning outcomes the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the program in a cohort-based manner the cost of which is already included in the overall course fee of the course.
A dedicated program support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.
How do I interact with other program participants?
Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the program. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.
What are the requirements to earn the certificate?
Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programs are designed to fit into your working life.
This program is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programs include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the program brochure. Please email us if you need further clarification on any specific program requirements.
What type of certificate will I receive?
Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, resume, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile. The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the program, once grading is complete.
Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?
No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
Do I receive alumni status after completing this program?
No, there is no alumni status granted for this program. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.
How long will I have access to the learning materials?
You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and program materials for 24 months following the program start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.
What equipment or technical requirements are there for this program?
Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts.
Do I need to be online to access the program content?
Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. However, you can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. For maximum flexibility, you can access program content from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device.
Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any livestream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you may view them later.
Can I still register if the registration deadline has passed?
Yes, you can register up until seven days past the published start date of the program without missing any of the core program material or learnings.
What is the program fee, and what forms of payment do you accept?
The program fee is noted at the top of this program web page and usually referenced in the program brochure as well.
Flexible payment options are available (see details below as well as at the top of this program web page next to FEE).
Tuition assistance is available for participants who qualify. Please email learner.success@emeritus.org.
What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another method of payment accepted?
Yes, you can do the bank remittance in the program currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your program advisor, or email us for details.
I was not able to use the discount code provided. Can you help?
Yes! Please email us with the details of the program you are interested in, and we will assist you.
How can I obtain an invoice for payment?
Please email us your invoicing requirements and the specific program you’re interested in enrolling in.
Is there an option to make flexible payments for this program?
Yes, the flexible payment option allows a participant to pay the program fee in installments. This option is made available on the payment page and should be selected before submitting the payment.
How can I obtain a W9 form?
Please connect with us via email for assistance.
Who will be collecting the payment for the program?
Emeritus collects all program payments, provides learner enrollment and program support, and manages learning platform services.
Are there any restrictions on the types of funding that can be used to pay for the program?
Program fees for Emeritus programs with Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science Executive Education may not be paid for with (a) funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008, or similar types of military education funding benefits or (b) Title IV financial aid funds.
What is the program refund and deferral policy?
For the program refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Write to us at learner.success@emeritus.org or Schedule a call with one of our Program Advisors or call us at +1 315 756 3771 (US) / +44 203 835 5826 (UK) / +65 3138 2533 (SG)
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