[Bethany, Oklahoma]—Southern Nazarene University (SNU) is excited to announce the launch of a new initiative to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its curriculum, addressing the growing relevance of AI in academic and professional settings. This multi-year effort aims to prepare students for AI-enhanced career landscapes by offering them firsthand experience with AI tools.
Dr. Lynn Lease, Director of the Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology (MSIDT) program, is among the faculty leading this initiative. “While our faculty has been learning about the benefits and challenges of artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and other LLMs in learning spaces, they are also exploring the use of AI in workspaces that their students will soon be graduating into,” explains Dr. Lease. “To prepare our current students for an AI-infused career, we are piloting courses designed specifically to educate and empower students to navigate a variety of AI tools and AI-infused work processes.”
Two pilot courses are set to debut in the 2025-2026 academic year: Exploring Generative AI: Writing in the Digital Age, an English elective developed by Dr. Gina Weaver, and Artificial Intelligence: Applications, Ethics, and Society, a computer science elective designed by Professor Rob Gering.
While SNU embraces the exploration of AI, the university remains committed to upholding learning and academic integrity. As stated in SNU’s syllabus policy: “While the SNU academic community embraces the exploration of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), we value the integrity of the learning process and the discerning use of technologies to advance, not detract, from learning gains.”
Southern Nazarene University is a private Christian university located in Bethany, Oklahoma. Committed to a values-driven education, SNU offers students an environment where they can develop academically, spiritually, and socially. With a history of academic excellence, SNU continues to prepare students to become impactful leaders through its rigorous programs and close-knit community. For more information, please contact pgsadmissions@mail.snu.edu.