The admissions processes for our three master's options vary. Students applying to the Master’s program in Computer Science must apply online. Instructions for each program are available below.
M.S. in Computer Science
Please note: The application for this program is currently closed. It will reopen August 17, 2020 .
The Master of Science in Computer Science program uses the School of Computer Science online application for admissions. Students are admitted for the fall semester and cannot begin in the spring.
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
Applications and all supporting documents, including letters of recommendation, must be received by the final deadline. Fall 2020 application deadlines have not yet been announced.
APPLICATION FEES
- If you submit your application and pay the required fee before the early deadline the application fee is $75 for one program and $50 for each additional program.
- Once the early deadline has passed, the application fee increases to $125 for one program and $75 for each additional program.
- If you are unable to pay the application fee, the School of Computer Science will consider a fee waiver request. Please click here for more information.
ADDMISSIONS Requirements
You must submit the following with your application.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
- If your native language is not English, then you must submit a TOEFL. A successful applicant will normally have a total iBT score of at least 100.
- A PDF of your most recent transcript from each college and/or university you attended, even if no degree was granted.
- Your resume in PDF format.
- Your Statement of Purpose — 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 of which are from faculty or recent employers.
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 email: applygrad@cs.cmu.edu
Fifth Year Master’s Program
The Fifth Year Master’s Program is administered by the Computer Science Department, but students can elect to complete research projects in areas throughout the School of Computer Science. A formal application should be made by the middle of the fall semester of the your senior year.
Important Deadlines
The program has two admissions cycles for academic year 2019-20.
Application deadline for the first cycle is Wednesday, October 16, 2019.
Decisions will be announced Friday, November 15, 2019.
Application deadline for the second cycle is Wednesday, January 15, 2020.
Decisions will be announced Wednesday, February 12, 2020.
APPLICATION Fees
There is no fee to apply for the Fifth Year Master's program.
ADMISSIONS Requirements
The Fifth Year Master’s Program is open only to undergraduate students in the School of Computer science completing a B.S. or major in Computer Science. Students must provide:
- A 1-2 page curriculum vitae.
- A letter of recommendation from your academic sponsor.
- 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:
- A short description of your career goals.
- An overview of your research experience and how it prepared you for this program.
- A description of the research you plan to undertake if accepted into the Fifth Year Master’s Program.
- A Carnegie Mellon transcript. An unofficial copy of your transcript is acceptable.
- Completed application and advisor form.
How to Apply to the Fifth Year Master's
Complete the application and advisor form and provide the items indicated above. Once completed, deliver the forms and all required components to Tracy Farbacher, 7117 Gates Center for Computer Science. 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
Accelerated MBA Program
Students wishing to earn an undergraduate computer science degree and an MBA in five academic years can apply to the Accelerated MBA program in the Tepper School of Business. Admissions information and requirements can be found on Tepper's web site.