Graduate admission

Application requirements

• Application fee - $75.00 (U.S.)*
• Unofficial transcript (upload into the application system before submitting your application). Official copies of final transcripts will be required upon enrollment.
• Official GRE scores from ETS are not accepted
• Official DuoLingo, TOEFL or IELTS scores for non-native speakers of English
  • Waived for applicants who have spent four years at an in-residence undergraduate program in the United States or Canada (excluding Quebec).
• Three letters of recommendation (uploaded through the online application system)
• Statement of Purpose (Ph.D. applicants only)

*Fee waivers can be granted for CMU students and alumni, GEM applicants, McNair Scholars, etc. Contact us if you believe you qualify for a fee waiver.

All fees charged are non-refundable. 

Application review process

The review process begins shortly after the application deadline. All applications must be submitted through our online application system by the application deadline. Supplemental materials such as official test scores and letters of recommendations can be received after the application deadline.

Incomplete applications can be reviewed if we have the following items:

• An official online application
• Self-reported test scores (Duolingo, TOEFL, IELTS
  • Waived for native English speakers and non-native English speakers who have spent four years at an in-residence undergraduate program in the United States or Canada excluding Quebec)
• Unofficial transcript(s) (uploaded into the application system)
• CV or Resume
• Statement of Purpose (PhD Applicants Only)
• At least one recommendation

Complete applications, which take precedent in the review process, include the above items plus:

• Official test scores (DuoLingo or TOEFL or IELTS, if English is not applicant’s first language)
• Three letters of recommendation

Questions? Review the Graduate admission FAQ.

Deadlines

Deadlines apply to single degrees within the department. Applicants to dual degree programs should submit their application by the earliest deadline of the two programs.

Fall Term of Entry
Ph.D. programs – December 15
M.S. programs – December 15 (priority), January 5th (final)

Review of MS applications will begin on December 15th. Consideration will be given to all applications recived by January 5th. The application portal will close on January 6th.

Spring Term of Entry
M.S. & Ph.D. programs – August 31

Test codes

ETS Institution Code: 2074
TOEFL Department Code: 68

DuoLingo scores should be sent to:
Carnegie Mellon University – College of Engineering

IELTS test scores should be sent to:
Carnegie Mellon University College of Engineering
431 Hamerschlag Drive
ANSYS Hall Suite 250
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Integrated master’s/bachelor’s degree program

Current mechanical engineering undergraduates may opt to pursue this program. Visit the Integrated master’s/bachelor’s degree for additional information.

Non-degree seeking students

Please see the Non-degree guide and the College of Engineering policy for more information.

Visit AI Engineering Fundamentals - Mechanical Engineering for information on our online graduate certificate. 

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.