Master's Programs Admissions

The admissions processes for our master's options vary. Students applying to the Master’s program in Computer Science must apply online.

MSCS Admissions

The Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program uses the School of Computer Science online application for admissions. Students are admitted for the fall semester and cannot begin in the spring.

• The application opens September 4, 2024.
• Early Deadline: November 20, 2024 (3:00 PM EST)
• Final Deadline: December 11, 2024 (3:00 PM EST)
• If you submit your application by the early deadline, your recommenders continue to have access to submit recommendations until the December 11th deadline.

MSCS Application Process

• Admissions Requirements - Test Scores, Transcripts & Documents

• TOEFL (preferred)
• IELTS
• Duolingo

We do not accept the "TOEFL ITP Plus for China,” since speaking is not scored. Applicants currently in mainland China are encouraged to take the IELTS test.

The Computer Science Department follows the Language Proficiency Policy set by the School of Computer Science and does not issue waivers for non-native English speakers.

Transcripts: A PDF of your most recent transcript from each college and/or university you attended, even if no degree was granted.

Resume/CV: Please submit in PDF format.

Statement of Purpose: Provide a concise one- or two-page essay describing your primary research interests, related experiences and objective in pursuing a Masters in computer science.

Three letters of recommendation: At least two letters should be from faculty or recent employers.

• Early application deadline fee $80 per program.
• Application fee after November 29, $100 per program.

We expect all applicants to submit payment with their online application. However, we do waive the required fee under certain circumstances. Fees for application to a limited number of our programs can be waived for participants in certain programs. In addition, if you are unable to pay the application fee, SCS will consider a fee waiver request.

To apply to the Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program please use the School of Computer Science Online Application. Students are admitted for the fall semester and cannot begin in the spring. For more on the application process, please refer to the SCS Online Graduate Application Instructions. For general questions about applying to master's degree programs in the School of Computer Science contact: https://www.cs.cmu.edu/about-scs/contact

Scholarships and financial assistance to the Master of Science Program are not offered by the program at this time. General financial information is available via the following resources: Graduate Tuition and Fees:
https://www.cmu.edu/sfs/tuition/graduate/scs.html Carnegie Mellon Graduate Student Financial Aid:
https://www.cmu.edu/sfs/financial-aid/graduate/index.html

Fifth Year M.S. Admissions

The program has the following admissions deadlines for students starting the MS in Spring or Summer 2024, or Fall 2024:

• Application deadline for the Spring entry is Friday, October 18, 2024
• Decisions will be announced Friday, November 8, 2024
• Application deadline for Summer or Fall entry is Wednesday, January 22, 2025
• Decisions will be announced Friday, February 14, 2025

5th Year M.S. Application Process

• Admissions Requirements

• A 1-2 page curriculum vitae.
• A letter of recommendation from your academic sponsor.
• Students from the Qatar campus who have not yet identified an advisor can instead have a letter of recommendation from any faculty member familiar with their research.
• A second letter of recommendation. This letter can come from another faculty member or possibly and outside source (eg., supervisor from a summer internship).
• A two-page statement that covers the following three areas:
  1. A short description of your career goals.
  2. An overview of your research experience and how it prepared you for this program.
  3. A description of the research you plan to undertake if accepted into the Fifth Year Master’s Program
  4. Students who are working towards a BS in AI from CMU should also include a short paragraph describing how they will satisfy the additional breadth requirements
• A Carnegie Mellon transcript. An unofficial copy of your transcript is acceptable.
• Completed application and advisor form.

Complete the application and advisor form and provide the items indicated above. Once completed deliver all required components — including forms, letters of recommendation, CV, etc. — to: Tracy Farbacher, 7117 Gates Center for Computer Science Or email competed PDF documents to Tracy at: tt1b@andrew.cmu.edu. You can also mail them to: School of Computer Science
Carnegie Mellon University
c/o Tracy Farbacher / 5th Year
7117 Gates Center for Computer Science
5000 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Complete the application and advisor form and provide the items indicated above. Once completed deliver all required components — including forms, letters of recommendation, CV, etc. — to: Tracy Farbacher, 7117 Gates Center for Computer Science Or email competed PDF documents to Tracy at: tt1b@andrew.cmu.edu. You can also mail them to: School of Computer Science
Carnegie Mellon University
c/o Tracy Farbacher / 5th Year
7117 Gates Center for Computer Science
5000 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213

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