Master Programme
Master of Science in Computer Science
The MSCS from Carnegie Mellon's Computer Science Department is a coursework-based degree for graduates with strong maths, programming and reasoning skills; a computer science bachelor's is not required, though a technical background helps. There is no fixed course list: with an advisor you build your own plan of 96-108 units of qualifying master's courses (typically eight courses), including at least one course each in systems, theoretical foundations and artificial intelligence, plus up to 12 elective units, while keeping a 3.0 QPA. Research is optional, about a third of students take part in some, and there is a thesis option. Most students are expected to take Introduction to Computer Systems (15-213/513), which can be done online in the summer before arrival.
University
Carnegie Mellon University
Country
United States
Level
Master
Field
Computer Science
Duration
Usually 3 semesters full-time (sometimes 4 for students switching from another field)
Language
English
Campus
Pittsburgh
Degree
Master of Science (M.S.) in Computer Science
Intake
Fall semester only
Application Deadline
Fall 2027 entry through the Griffin School of Computer Science graduate application (opened 9 September 2026): early deadline 18 November 2026 (US$80 application fee per program) and final deadline 9 December 2026 (US$100), both at 3 p.m. EST. SCS recommends taking any GRE, TOEFL or IELTS test by 25 November 2026. MSCS admits students for the fall semester only.
Tuition Information
2026-27: the School of Computer Science master's tuition rate is US$62,200 for the academic year (US$31,100 a semester; US$864 per unit). Student Financial Services' 2026-27 graduate budget for the fall and spring semesters adds US$14,752 for housing, US$8,664 for food, US$2,212 for books and supplies, US$3,352 for health insurance, US$4,098 for personal costs, US$1,756 for travel and US$1,040 in required fees (student activities US$248, transportation US$302, technology US$490), a total of US$35,874, so the fall and spring cost of attendance is about US$98,100 (our total of the official figures). Master's programs in the School of Computer Science generally do not offer financial aid
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor's degree with a strong aptitude for mathematics, programming and logical reasoning (it does not have to be in computer science)
- GRE: strongly recommended, especially if your transcript does not clearly show strong maths ability; if you cannot submit it, explain why briefly in your statement of purpose. CMU graduates and current students are exempt. GRE scores must be under five years old
- Application materials: transcripts from every college attended (unofficial PDFs at the application stage), resume or CV, a one- to two-page statement of purpose and three letters of recommendation, at least two from faculty or recent employers
- English proficiency: if you will study on an F-1 or J-1 visa and English is not your native language, you must submit the TOEFL iBT (preferred), IELTS or Duolingo English Test. The Griffin School of Computer Science gives no waivers, including for earlier study in English or in the US, and does not accept medium-of-instruction letters. It publishes no minimum score; most recently admitted students scored TOEFL iBT 105-114, IELTS 7-8 or Duolingo 130-155. Scores must be no more than two years old (tests before 1 September 2024 are not accepted), unless you hold or are completing a US bachelor's or master's degree, when scores up to five years old can be used