Spring 2025 - Opens July 1, 2024
How To Apply
All deadlines are 11:59 p.m. ET on the dates below. Please note that deadlines for upcoming admissions cycles are tentative and subject to change.
Application Deadlines
Fall 2025 - Opens October 1, 2024
Priority Deadline: December 1, 2024
Final Deadline: January 15, 2025
Online Application
Spring 2025 - Opens July 1, 2024
Priority Deadline: August 1, 2024
Final Deadline: September 3, 2024
Admissions Criteria
The Information Networking Institute's master's degree programs provide robust, interdisciplinary experience and unique flexibility to build depth and breadth from coursework and research opportunities across four of Carnegie Mellon University's top-ranked colleges.
Minimum qualifications:
- An undergraduate degree.
- GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4-point scale).
- Test of English Language as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Duolingo English Test to be reported through official channels and has not expired for applicants whose native language is not English.
Successful applicants to the INI also typically have:
- A technical background or academic exposure that supports advanced study in their area of interest.
- Strong quantitative, analytical and programming skills.
- Effective communication and other interpersonal skills needed for success at the INI and beyond.
Components of Your Application
1. Online application
You will create an account and have unlimited access to perfect your application until you are ready to submit.
- Non-refundable application fee
- The preferred method of payment is by credit card to finalize submission of the online application
- Application Fee: $75
2. Transcripts
As part of the online application, you will be asked to share details of your full academic history. Be sure to list all schools of attendance and upload an unofficial transcript from all colleges and universities you have attended, regardless of whether you have obtained a degree.
Please do not mail your official transcripts; the INI will only request official (hard copy) records from admitted applicants who accept enrollment.
3. Three Letters of Recommendation
The letters should be from faculty and/or recent employers who know you well and can speak to your technical abilities and quality of work. Letters may be submitted by your recommender(s) following the submission of your online application.
4. Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test Scores -
We do not request or require GRE General Test scores and will not review them during the admissions process for Spring or Fall 2025.
5. Proof of English Proficiency (if applicable)
If you are an applicant whose native language is not English, Proof of English Language Proficiency is required. Students may submit one of the following: TOEFL (including At Home and Best Score tests), IELTS, or Duolingo English Test that is current and can be reported officially through the testing website. Expired reports are not accepted.
Duolingo English Test: select "CMU – College of Engineering"
IELTS reports: we accept electronic IELTS scores only. The Test Report Form (TRF) number should be included when self-reporting test results. Use the physical address to confirm the right college/department. The address should be:
Carnegie Mellon UniversityCollege of Engineering
431 Hamerschlag Drive
Ansys Hall Suite 250
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
TOEFL: use Carnegie Mellon ETS Institute Code #2074. A Department code isn’t required because the INI doesn’t require or accept paper reports.
6. Skills & Competencies, Short Essays
Use these questions to provide information regarding your skills/competencies inprogramming, courses relevant to your INI program(s) of interest, and extracurricular, academic and professional experience.
7. Employment History and Resume
You will be asked to share any industry experience, relevant internships and/or research experience, in addition to uploading a recent resume of no more than 2 pages.
8. Financial Support
You will be asked if you wish to be considered for financial support. Answering "Yes" to this question will enable us to consider you for funding. (Please note that your answer will have no impact on your admissions decision.)
The INI offers students a variety of awards and funding assistance to ensure financial need is not a barrier for students who are passionate about becoming a leader in information networking, information security or mobile and IoT engineering.
We recommend U.S. citizens to submit the FAFSA.
9. Video Essay
All applicants are required to submit a 3-minute video response to a random question. This feature allows students to supplement their written essays and permits the admissions committee to “meet” them in a new way. A 60-second preparation time is included before the recording starts. Prepared statements aren’t recommended.
Admissions Policies
Applicant's Responsibility
Follow the Application Instructions: In order to successfully complete your application, please follow the instructions and adhere to the deadlines. All requested/required application documents including unofficial transcripts, recommendations, essay/area of interest questions, etc., must be submitted online. An application may be “Incomplete” if the required documents are not provided by the posted deadlines or in the manner requested in the instructions.
Check Your Application Status: Applicants are able to check the status of their application online on the application status page. INI staff and faculty are not able to provide status updates.
Application Documents
Any documents, including transcripts, or any other materials sent directly to the INI by the applicant without a specific request from the admissions staff will not be considered as part of your application. If additional information is required, the applicant will be notified.
The admissions staff makes every effort to assist applicants in completing their submission; however, the INI does not accept responsibility for documents that are missing or are improperly submitted resulting in an application remaining incomplete and un-reviewed.
All materials submitted become property of the INI.
ESL reports must be reported through the relevant testing organization website:
EST TOEFL: https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/scores/get-scores.html
IELTS: https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/results
Duolingo English Test: https://englishtest.duolingo.com/institutions
(Carnegie Mellon University - College of Engineering – Graduate)
Confidentiality of Communications
All information provided to students as a result of their application, including subsequent correspondence, is considered confidential and should not be communicated to other applicants. Please note that applicants are expected to comply with the confidentiality requirement as a condition of admission.
Deferral Policy
The INI does not typically allow admission deferrals. Each year, applicants are reviewed and ranked with the current applicant pool. Students are accepted for admission into the program for a particular academic year and may not defer admission (exceptions are made only for extraordinary circumstances).
Accelerated Master's for CMU Undergraduates
Highly qualified Carnegie Mellon undergraduate students are eligible to add a fifth year to a customized undergraduate curriculum that culminates in a master's degree.
Am I eligible to apply? The INI Accelerated Master's is available only to qualifying CMU undergraduates. All other applicants must go through the regular admissions process.
Statement of Assurance
Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate in admission, employment or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, ancestry, belief, veteran status or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in violation of federal, state or local laws or executive orders.
Inquiries concerning the application of and compliance with this statement should be directed to the Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, telephone 412-268-7125.
Obtain general information about Carnegie Mellon University by calling 412-268-2000.
Carnegie Mellon University publishes an annual campus security and fire safety report describing the university’s security, alcohol and drug, sexual assault and fire safety policies, and containing statistics about the number and type of crimes committed on the campus, and the number and cause of fires in campus residence facilities during the preceding three years. You can obtain a copy by contacting the Carnegie Mellon Police Department at 412-268-2323. The annual security and fire safety report also is available online at www.cmu.edu/police/annualreports.
Information regarding the application of Title IX, including to admission and employment decisions, the sexual misconduct grievance procedures and process, including how to file a report or a complaint of sex discrimination, how to file a report of sexual harassment, and how the university responds to such reports is available at www.cmu.edu/title-ix. The Title IX coordinator may be reached at 5000 Forbes Ave., 140 Cyert Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15213; 412-268-7125; or tix@cmu.edu.
For more information regarding the statement of assurance please visit www.cmu.edu/policies/administrative-and-governance/statement-of-assurance.html