Carnegie Mellon University
Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs  ›  Prospective Graduate Student Information

Prospective Graduate Student Information

Carnegie Mellon University is a global research university with a proud heritage of outstanding graduate and undergraduate education and research. Our vision is that CMU will meet the changing needs of society by building on its traditions of innovation, problem solving and interdisciplinarity. From the arts to technology, humanities and the sciences, we reach across boundaries to bring together bright minds to move us forward locally, nationally and globally with creative solutions to worldwide challenges.

CMU is home to master’s and doctoral programs within our seven schools and colleges, which are ranked among the top in the country. CMU also offers online programs and dozens of interdisciplinary programs. In addition, CMU is a global university with more than a dozen degree-granting locations and more than 20 research partnerships.

To learn more about the graduate programs offered at CMU, see the Guide to Graduate Degrees and Programs section, which provides a college-based list that will direct you to the college websites for detailed information. You are also encouraged to explore the information and resources throughout this website to learn more about the many facets of graduate study at CMU.

Resources

Academics

A cornerstone of our graduate education is research with a focus on advancing knowledge and finding meaningful solutions to significant problems of society. This real-world, hands-on approach has made CMU home to excellent faculty and students in engineering, computer science, the natural sciences, humanities and social sciences, business administration and the fine arts.

This philosophy has also been the basis for interdisciplinary study and research to an extent that is rarely found elsewhere. CMU houses a myriad of interdisciplinary research facilities that combine expertise in diverse fields to produce exciting new areas of exploration.

Our commitment to diversity in our research and in our student population truly makes CMU a unique place to carry out your graduate education. Support for our graduate students and respect for diversity begins with recruitment and continues through our many retention programs. Whether students are looking for professional development opportunities, small project research grants or funding for conference attendance, CMU provides people, programs and resources for our students to succeed.

Admission and Application Process

Each program manages their own separate admissions process, including deadlines and requirements, and this information varies by department. You are encouraged to visit the department's website in which you are interested to find specific details.

A student’s qualifications are not assessed until a full application has been received and processed. To learn more about your eligibility and how to apply, visit the department’s website in which you are interested. Some departments provide a few guidelines regarding the level of competitiveness. If provided, this would be found on the department website.

You are welcome to apply to more than one program, but in most cases you will need to complete separate applications for each. It is recommended not to assume that you can submit the exact same materials for each and to look closely at each program’s application requirements. Moreover, many departments have a list of FAQs that will address common issues, so if you are having technical difficulties with the application, check the department website and if the problem is not addressed on the website, contact the department directly.

Check the department website for an admission notification timeline or contact a department administrator to find out when you can expect a response regarding admissions.

All admissions-related questions, including where to submit transcripts, exam requirements, and how to set up a visit, should be directed to the department in which you are interested by visiting the college/school website linked in the Guide to Graduate Degrees and Programs section.

Tuition and Financial Support

For the most part, students in the master's programs are self-supporting, and Ph.D. students are at least partially funded and encouraged to apply to fellowships. Each program makes their own arrangements regarding financial support of potential graduate students. Applicants should seek information from the department of interest for their specific opportunities. 

More information regarding tuition and fees can be found on the Student Financial Services website. 

Visit the Funding Opportunities and Fellowships page to learn more about the centralized programs and resources that are in place for graduate student conference funding, small project research grants, professional engagement funding, and fellowship and scholarship opportunities, including the CMU Rales Fellows Program.