University of West Florida

How this program compares

Benchmark this program against our national recognition pages and use the key guides below to evaluate ROI, admissions difficulty, and outcomes.

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: A master's degree in a related field such as robotics, computer science, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering is typically required, along with a strong research background, minimum GPA of 3.5, and evidence of prior research experience.

About This Program

A research-focused doctoral program offered in partnership with the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) to develop next-generation educators and innovators in robotics.

Career Outcomes

Pursue advanced AI Research Scientist in Cross-Industry AI through machine learning

• 1. Robotics Research Scientist
• 2. AI Robotics Engineer
• 3. Autonomous Systems Developer
• 4. University Professor in Robotics

What You'll Learn

• Design and implement intelligent control algorithms for robotic systems
• Develop AI models for perception, navigation, and decision-making in robots
• Conduct original research advancing autonomous systems and human-robot interaction
• Apply machine learning to solve complex robotics challenges

Curriculum Highlights

The program includes foundational AI courses in knowledge representation and machine learning, followed by individualized research curricula in areas like computer vision and aerial robotics.

Top Employers

Top employers include tech companies like Google, Boston Dynamics, NVIDIA, and research institutions such as NASA and DARPA.

Admissions

A master's degree in a related field such as robotics, computer science, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering is typically required, along with a strong research background, minimum GPA of 3.5, and evidence of prior research experience.

Application Materials

• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Letters of Recommendation: 3
• Resume: Required
• Transcripts: Official transcripts required

Academic Requirements

• Degree Required: Master's degree
• GRE/GMAT: Optional
• TOEFL/IELTS: Required for international students (TOEFL 80+ / IELTS 6.5+)