Master Programme
Master of Science in Machine Learning
The MS in Machine Learning from Carnegie Mellon's Machine Learning Department needs six core courses, three electives and a practicum (an internship or research related to machine learning). The core is introduction to machine learning (or the advanced version), a deep learning or deep reinforcement learning course, probabilistic graphical models, machine learning in practice, optimisation for machine learning and probability and mathematical statistics (or intermediate statistics). Electives include machine learning with large datasets, generative AI, deep learning systems, advanced ML theory, natural language processing, machine learning with graphs and multimodal machine learning. The program is STEM-designated and on campus only.
University
Carnegie Mellon University
Country
United States
Level
Master
Field
Artificial Intelligence
Duration
16 months full-time (3 semesters: fall, spring, fall); some students take 4 semesters
Language
English
Campus
Pittsburgh
Degree
Master of Science (M.S.) in Machine Learning
Intake
Fall semester only (August start)
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. Applications are accepted once a year, and decisions usually arrive in February.
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). The Machine Learning Department also gives US$62,200 as 2026-27 full-time tuition and suggests budgeting for about a 5% rise each year. The program provides no financial support, and a non-refundable first tuition payment of US$2,500 is due when you accept an offer
Admission Requirements
- A strong background in computer science (including complexity theory and good programming skills) and in maths: the first-year courses assume at least a year of college-level probability and statistics, plus matrix algebra and multivariate calculus. A CS degree is not required
- GRE: optional for applicants starting in August 2027; no GRE Subject Test is needed
- 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