Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology  ›  Academics  ›  Graduate Programs  ›  Master of Information Technology Strategy  ›  Admissions

MITS Admission Requirements

Applicants to the MITS program must demonstrate academic excellence and preparedness for the rigors of the program. Qualifications include:

  • Programming skills: an ideal applicant should have experience with programming systems in which issues such as scalability, performance, and security are important concerns.
  • Analytical skills: an ideal applicant should have strong problem-solving skills, particularly in the area of system design. Some knowledge of statistical analysis is also a plus.
  • Team skills: an ideal applicant can work effectively with others in both leadership and subordinate roles.
  • Other skills: an ideal applicant will have taken at least one introductory course in machine learning and analysis of data.

For More Information

Please contact Mark Gardner, CMIST Graduate Program Manager.

CONTACT

MITS Application

Admission Requirements

Minimum qualification for admission to the MITS program includes previous coursework, demonstrated ability or equivalent work experience in the following areas:

  • Algorithms and data structures;
  • Proficiency in programming in at least one of the following languages: Python, C, C++, or Java;
  • Analytical ability, including topics such as probability, statistics, research methods, and economics.

Application Materials

Complete application packets must include the following materials:
  • Annual Application Deadline: January 15 (Applications open October 15)
  • Application fee: $75 Please contact Mark Gardner if you would like to request a need-based application fee waiver.
  • Statement of Purpose (500-1000 words): State your purpose in undertaking graduate study in information technology strategy. Include your academic objectives, research interests, and career goals. Also discuss your related qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities, and any other substantial accomplishments not already mentioned on the application, or résumé/curriculum vita.
  • Diversity Essay (500-1000 words): Carnegie Mellon University values a dynamic and diverse community where all members are responsible for contributing to an intersectional, inclusive environment. Please take this opportunity to discuss how you will contribute to departmental, school, or campus-wide efforts to expand diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Optional Written Essay: If there are any special circumstances you would like the admissions committee to consider, highlight them in the optional essay. Use this essay to include information that you feel is important, but that you are unable to include elsewhere on the application. This would also be the place to address any gaps, fails, course retakes, etc., indicated on your transcript. There is no penalty for leaving this blank.
  • Optional Video Essay: You will be given the option in your application to provide a link to a video essay. Video essays are optional but strongly recommended, especially individuals unable to visit campus prior to the application deadline or those who are non-native English speakers. Use the video essay to give us more insight into who you are, your interests, and what you will bring to the program; for example, your interest or experience in a particular concentration, or some courses in the curriculum that you are particularly excited for. Please do not read your statement of purpose. The video and audio must be of you, the applicant (not a proxy).
  • Résumé/Curriculum Vita: Required

  • Transcripts

    • We require a minimum 3.0 GPA represented in your undergraduate work. Please explain any gaps in your study, course fails, or retakes in the optional essay.
    • International Transcripts: If your undergraduate degree is from an institution that is located outside of the United States, you must use an academic credential verification service to obtain a course-by-course report. The academic credential verification service can then send this course-by-course report directly to CMIST electronically.
      • Please do not mail your transcript to CMIST. We will only accept transcripts that we receive directly from an academic credential verification service. We will accept evaluations from any NACES member. We recommend using SpanTran or WES as we have previously coordinated with them. Please select to send your evaluations to the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology or direct electronic delivery to: CMIST-admissions@andrew.cmu.edu.
      • Please note: Course-by-course reports must include a US equivalent GPA on a 4.0 scale.
  • Letters of Recommendation: You are required to have two recommendation forms submitted on your behalf. Recommendations should be provided by employers, supervisors, professors, or others who are able to comment on your professional and educational goals and potential. At least one of your recommenders should be a professor who can attest to your academic abilities. The other should know you in a professional setting (full-time employment, internship, part-time employment, non-academic extracurricular activity, etc.). You may opt to have up to three (3) recommendations submitted in support of your application. Please let your recommenders know in advance that they may upload an electronic document or scanned copy of a paper-based recommendation using the online system rather than using the provided text box response fields, but that they must upload their recommendation via the online system.

  • Standardized Test Scores (GRE or GMAT) are not permitted.

  • English Language Proficiency: TOEFL or IELTS are required if your native language is not English. The only exceptions are for students who have worked or studied for five or more years in Australia, Botswana, Canada, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, and/or Zambia.

     


    Your scores must be submitted directly to Carnegie Mellon University – Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology  (TOEFL institution code C583). We verify all exam scores electronically after reported to us by the testing service. Please do not have paper test scores sent to us by mail. If you completed either the TOEFL or IELTS more than two years ago, you MUST take one of the tests again. The testing agency will not verify scores that are more than two years old.

     

    Minimum scores are as follows:

    • IELTS of score 7.5
    • TOEFL score of 100 with at least 25 in each subscore. Only iBT TOEFL version is accepted.
    • Duolingo English Test Score of 125

    We strongly recommend you include a video essay in your application. An interview may also be requested before final admission decisions can be made.

  • Interview: Virtual interviews may be requested for applicants in the final round of selection.

Veterans: CMU welcomes applications from veterans and those currently serving in the US Military. The University Registrar's Office provides services to veterans and their dependents who are eligible for Veterans Education Benefits under the Montgomery G.I. Bill, Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.

In addition, CMU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program for those who are 100% eligible for benefits under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. In order to use Veterans Education Benefits, you must be an admitted Carnegie Mellon student (graduate or undergraduate). Veterans Affairs determines the amount of benefits a student can receive; therefore, we cannot estimate benefit amounts. Please contact the VA at 1-888-442-4551 to find out the amount you are eligible to receive.

All information reported on your application is subject to verification. CMIST utilizes several methods to identify plagiarized and falsified content in uploaded documents. Submission of false or plagiarized material as part of the application for admission may result in automatic denial of admission to any degree program.