Doctoral Admissions

Apply to the Ph.D. in CS & Interdisciplinary Degrees

The Ph.D. in CS program uses the School of Computer Science Online Application system. The application system opens each fall and must apply through this application portal. The Computer Science Department does not require an applicant have a master's degree to apply to for admission to the Ph.D. program.

To apply to an Interdisciplinary degree program you need to apply via the online application for the Ph.D. in CS and select the interdisciplinary program (ACO, CNBC, PAL) in the appropriate section of the online application.

Applicants apply during the fall admissions cycle and are admitted to start the following fall semester. The doctoral program does not have a spring or summer admissions cycle.

Required application information for all programs and all supporting documents — including letters of recommendation, official test scores, and unofficial transcripts — must be received by the final deadline.

You may continue to edit your application until the final deadline.

Deadlines and Fees 

The SCS Graduate Programs Application opens September 3, 2025.

Early Application Deadline*: November 19, 2025 (3 PM ET) — Application fee is $80 per program by early deadline.

Final Application Deadline: December 10, 2025 (3 PM ET) — Application fee is $100 per program after the early deadline.

Information about possible fee waivers will be displayed when you select a program during the online application process. The Computer Science Department cannot issue waivers and does not have any events or programs currently that would qualify and applicant for a waiver. 

*The early application deadline is not for early decision. It is a cost savings option only. All applicants who are admitted are notified after the admissions review cycle is completed, usually in February or March.

Contacts and Additional Information

For more on the application process, please refer to the School of Computer Science (SCS) Graduate Admissions guidance for application instructions & institution codes for test scores.

For general questions about applying to doctoral programs in the School of Computer Science: https://www.cs.cmu.edu/about-scs/contact select "Graduate Programs and Admissions". 

QUICK FAQ:

• A master's degree is not required to apply for the Ph.D. in Computer Science.
• If you are not admitted to the Ph.D. in Computer Science you are not automatically reviewed for admittance to any other CSD or SCS program.
• To be considered for the Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program you must apply directly to that program via the online application.  
• You are able to apply for multiple graduate programs in the School of Computer Science via the online application. Please refer to the graduate admissions information provided by the School.
• You are not expected to have an advisor before applying for the doctoral program.
  • You should refer to our Research Areas information to determine who is doing research in the area(s) you wish to pursue if admitted.
  • The application provides the opportunity to select Computer Science Department faculty who you believe align with your research area(s). Official advisor matching occurs after you are admitted to the program.
• The application is available each fall semester. Applicants are admitted for entry the following fall. There is no application for spring entry to the Ph.D. in Computer Science.
• All doctoral programs offered by the Computer Science Department require in-person attendance on our Pittsburgh Campus. No remote doctoral degrees are available from the department.
• Due to the quantity of inquiries and applications we receive, it is not possible for us to provide individualized feedback on your application.

For questions specific to the Ph.D. in Computer Science not answered here email: csd-phd-admissions@cs.cmu.edu. 

NOTE: This email does not respond for application technical issues, general application questions, or questions about other graduate programs in the School of Computer Science.