person holding a writing implement using a notepad, sitting in front of a computer

Doctoral Admissions

Students applying to the Ph.D. program in Computer Science or interdisciplinary degrees the Computer Science Department co-manages must apply online. 

Apply to the Ph.D. in CS & Interdisciplinary Degrees

The Ph.D. in CS program uses the School of Computer Science Online Application system. You must apply through this application portal. The Computer Science Department does not require an applicant have a master's degree to apply to for admission to the Ph.D. program.

To apply to an Interdisciplinary degree program you need to apply via the online application for the Ph.D. in CS and select the interdisciplinary program (ACO, CNBC, PAL) in the appropriate section of the online application.

Students are admitted for the fall semester.  The doctoral program does not admit students in the spring semester.

Applications for all programs and all supporting documents, including letters of recommendation, must be received by the final deadline.

You may continue to edit your application until the final deadline.

Deadlines & Fees
Important Deadlines Application Fees
Application Opens: September 4, 2024 Deadlines and fees are the same for all CSD Ph.D. programs.

We expect all applicants to submit payment with their online application. However, we do waive the required fee under certain circumstances.

Fees for application to a limited number of our programs can be waived for participants in certain programs.

In addition, if you are unable to pay the application fee, SCS will consider a fee waiver request. Visit the SCS Fee Waivers page. There is waiver application that is separate from the graduate program application available on that page.
Early Deadline - November 20, 2024 (3:00 PM EST) Early application deadline fee $80 per program.
PLEASE NOTE: This is for a fee reduction only, not early admission consideration.
Fee Waiver Deadline - December 4, 2024 (3:00 PM EST) NO fee waiver requests will be considered after the deadline. You must apply via the SCS Fee Waiver Process.
Final Deadline - December 11, 2024 Application fee, after November 20, $100 per program.
NOTE: You are able to edit or update some parts of your application up to the final deadline. Regardless of which fee deadline you choose to pay by, applications must be completed, including all supporting documents and letters of recommendation, by the final deadline to be considered for review for admission. You may edit or add to your application and your recommenders have until the final deadline to submit their letters.
Required Documents & Support Materials - All Programs
You must submit the following with your application:
Transcripts:
A PDF of your most recent transcript from each college and/or university you attended, even if no degree was granted.
  • Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the application process.
  • Official transcripts are required if you are admitted to the program.
  • Official undergraduate transcripts are required for matriculation into the program.
  • Note: A master's degree is not required to apply for the PhD in Computer Science.
Resumé/CV:
Your resumé or curriculum vitae in PDF format.
Statement of Purpose:
Include a concise one- or two-page essay describing your primary research interests, related experiences and objective in pursuing a Ph.D. in computer science.
Letters of Recommendation:
We request 3 letters, at least two of which are from faculty or recent employers.
International Students - Language Exams:

If you will be studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa, and English is not a native language for you (native language is defined as spoken at home from birth and your country’s official language is English), we are required to formally evaluate your English proficiency via one of these standardized tests: 

  • TOEFL (preferred)
  • IELTS
  • Duolingo

We do not accept the "TOEFL ITP Plus for China,” since speaking is not scored. Applicants currently in mainland China are encouraged to take the IELTS test. 

The Computer Science Department follows the Language Proficiency Policy set by the School of Computer Science and does not issue waivers for non-native English speakers.

Please refer to details on the SCS Frequently Asked Questions page and in the Graduate Application Instructions.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE):
GRE scores are optional. An application without GRE scores is not at a disadvantage; however, applicants who have taken the GREs are encouraged to submit their scores. The GRE at Home Test is not accepted.

Contacts and Additional Information

For more on the application process, please refer to the SCS Online Graduate Application Instructions.

For general questions about applying to doctoral programs in the School of Computer Science: https://www.cs.cmu.edu/about-scs/contact; select "Graduate Programs and Admissions".

For questions specific to the Ph.D. in Computer Science email: csd-phd-admissions@cs.cmu.edu

We encourage you to explore all the doctoral degree programs offered in the School of Computer Science to see if a specific program might be the best fit for the research you want to pursue. 

You can get information about doctoral programs in each of the seven departments by visiting the School of Computer Science Doctoral Programs overview page.