Master of Science in AI Systems Management Application Process
Application Deadlines
Applicants for all three rounds of admission will be given equal consideration for merit-based scholarships, competitive scholarships, and fellowship awards.
What do I need to submit to be considered for admission within a specific round of admission?
Students should submit their application form and the required supporting materials by the listed deadline date: essay, resume, two (2) recommendations, official transcript/ evaluation report for your bachelor's degree, and official test scores (if applicable). Review the application checklist below for more details.
Note for international students: It is STRONGLY recommended that you submit you application and supporting materials in Round 1 or 2 to allow additional time for the completion of the immigration process (applying for the I-20, visa application/ appointment, etc.) if you are admitted and choose to enroll at Heinz College.
All students can refer to the information below for related details about each round of admission.
Why should I apply by this deadline?
This deadline is best for applicants who:
- want the earliest decision (end of January)
- are international students who will require an I-20/ student visa (most international students) and want the option to begin the immigration process as early as possible.
When will I receive my admission decision?
Students who submit their application and supporting materials by December 1 will receive their admission decision by the end of January.
Other than the earlier notification of your admission decision, there is no “advantage” to applying by December 1. This deadline is available for students who want or need to receive their admission decision as early as possible.
Why should I apply by this deadline?
This deadline is best for applicants who:
- have not yet completed their bachelor’s degree and want to include their 7th semester grades on their transcript for the admissions committee’s consideration.
- do not want or need an earlier decision from us.
- are international students who will require an I-20/ student visa (most international students) and want to begin the immigration process by mid- to late-March.
When will I receive my admission decision?
Students who submit their application and supporting materials by January 10 will receive their admission decision by the middle of March.
Why should I apply by this deadline?
This deadline is best for applicants who:
- want to meet the latest possible deadline for consideration for all merit-based scholarships and our competitive scholarship and fellowship awards (applications submitted later than the Round #3 deadline are not eligible for full consideration for competitive awards).
- will require an I-20/ student visa (most international students) and who want the option to begin the immigration process by early April.
When will I receive my admission decision?
Students who submit their application and supporting materials by February 1 will receive their admission decision by the end of March.
We will continue to accept applications after the published deadlines if space remains in the incoming class. Please contact the Office of Admissions if you are interested in submitting an application after February 1.
Many competitive scholarships and fellowships are awarded on a limited basis, and applications received after February 1 may not be included in the selection process. Prospective students who do not apply by the published deadlines will still be considered for merit-based scholarship support from their program.
What do I need to submit to be considered for admission after the final deadline?
Prospective students applying after the deadline should submit their application form and the required supporting materials as soon as possible. The required supporting materials are the essay, resume, two (2) recommendations, official transcript/evaluation report for your bachelor's degree, and official test scores (if applicable). Review the application checklist below for more details.
When will I receive my admission decision?
Students applying after the Round 3 deadline will receive their admission decision approximately four (4) weeks after their application and required supporting materials have been received and processed.
On June 15, 2027, the application system will close for admission to the full-time master’s programs’ incoming cohort for August 2027.
How to Submit Your Application
Regardless of your chosen deadline, you will complete these steps to submit your application:
- Answer required questions within the online application form
- Upload required essay and résumé
- Register each recommender's name and email address
- Enter test date and registration number for any required standardized test(s)
Applications are reviewed after all required materials have been received.
Questions? Contact your Admissions counselor.
Contact Senior Associate Director of Admissions, David Danenberg: davidbd@andrew.cmu.edu.
Get in Touch
Connect with Heinz's admissions office, visit campus, or join us on the road.
Life in Pittsburgh
All the benefits of big-city life with a fraction of the cost of living.
Application Checklist
Before you begin the online application process, please carefully review the list of application requirements and admission criteria for the Master of AI Systems Management (AIM) program.
The Admissions Committee takes a holistic approach to reviewing applications, and we will complete the review of your application after we have received all of your application materials.
You must submit a completed application form via our online application system to be considered for admission to Heinz College. Heinz College does not charge an application fee.
All applicants who have completed (or will complete) their Bachelor’s degree in the United States must have an official transcript of their undergraduate studies submitted directly to Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College by their undergraduate university.
All applicants who have completed (or will complete) their Bachelor’s degree outside the United States must have a course-by-course transcript evaluation report submitted directly to Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College via an approved transcript evaluation service.
All applicants must earn a Bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited institution (or its equivalent) prior to the date they would begin their studies at Heinz College. If you have not completed your Bachelor's degree by the time you submit your application for admission to Heinz College, you may be admitted on the condition that you submit your final, official transcript, including your date of graduation, prior to the start of your first semester at Heinz College.
How to submit your official transcript or course-by-course evaluation report
We are committed to reducing barriers and increasing access for all applicants. We assess applicants holistically and take into consideration many factors, including quantitative background and experience.
Applicants are REQUIRED to submit GRE/GMAT scores or applicants can qualify for a waiver of the GRE/GMAT requirement by submitting one (1) or more of the following within their application for admission:
- Evidence of Prior Quantitative Coursework: At a minimum, applicants can demonstrate their preparedness by having earned a “B” or higher in a college-level, credit-bearing, Pre-Calculus class (or a higher level of math). Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Precalculus or Calculus will satisfy this requirement if it appears on the undergraduate transcript as college credit. Only classes listed on the undergraduate or other official transcript(s) will be considered.
- Undergraduate transcript from Carnegie Mellon University: Applicants who have or will complete their undergraduate degree at Carnegie Mellon University are eligible for a waiver of the GRE/GMAT requirement.
Approval of all requests to waive the GRE/GMAT requirement is at the discretion of the admissions committee. The admissions committee reserves the right to require GRE/GMAT scores be submitted (prior to completing their review of the application) if the applicant’s coursework does not meet the minimum standard for enrollment.
Prospective AIM students are NOT ELIGIBLE for waiver of the GRE/GMAT requirement based on their work experience.
Well-qualified applicants who do not demonstrate the necessary math proficiency within their application may be admitted conditionally as described below.
If your native language (mother tongue) is not English, you are required to submit an official score report from the TOEFL, IELTS, or the Duolingo English Test. 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, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, and/or Zambia.
- Students who studied for four years of their undergrad education in the United States and earned their bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. school (students are encouraged to provide unofficial copies of the English Language Proficiency exam they used when they applied to their undergraduate institution as part of their application to Heinz College).
Students who are required to submit test scores must have the scores reported directly to Heinz College by the testing service. When required, we strongly recommend that you take the exam at least one month prior to the application deadline.
You are required to have two (2) 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 (1) of your recommenders should know you in a professional setting (full-time employment, internship, part-time employment, research, non-academic extracurricular activity, etc.). You may opt to have up to three (3) recommendations submitted in support of your application.
Please note: recommendations from friends, family members or acquaintances, and other sources not able to evaluate applicants on an academic or professional basis, will not be accepted.
Letters of recommendation must be written in or translated into English. Your recommendations must be submitted electronically through the online application system by your recommenders. We do not accept recommendations submitted on paper.
You are required to upload your résumé to the application system. Please submit a one- or two-page summary of your education skills, accomplishments, employment experiences, and volunteer experiences. The résumé MUST be current and include all part-time and full-time work experience, the dates of when the employment began and ended, and a brief description of your responsibilities under the title of the position.
Please consider using the "Optional Essay" to address the reason for any "gap" in your résumé, if applicable.
Your résumé should contain only true information and your own, original content. If you include a quote or text written by any other person or published in any printed or online format, you must surround the copied text in quotation marks (") and indicate the original source of the text. Information reported on your résumé is subject to verification. The Heinz College Office of Admissions 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.
You are required to upload the required essay to the application system.
Your essay should address the following three questions. We recommend that your total essay length should be 700 words minimum (up to 1,100 words suggested maximum). Please give each section of your essay the appropriate heading for each question.
- Career Goals: What are your career goals after completing graduate school? (Recommended response length: 150-300 words)
- Prior Experience: How have your prior experiences (professional, academic, and/or personal) prepared you for graduate study and informed your career goals? (Recommended response length: 400-500 words)
- Why Heinz College: How will attending this degree program at Heinz College help you achieve your career goals? (Recommended response length: 150-300 words)
Your essay should contain only true information and your own, original content. You should not use artificial intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, to write any portion of your essay. If you include a quote or text written by any other person or published in any printed or online format, you must surround the copied text in quotation marks (") and indicate the original source of the text. Information reported on your résumé is subject to verification. The Heinz College Office of Admissions utilizes several methods to identify plagiarized, AI-generated, and falsified content in uploaded documents. Submission of false, plagiarized or AI-generated material as part of the application for admission may result in automatic denial of admission to any degree program.
You may choose to submit an essay in which you comment on any item(s) in your application that you consider worthy of further explanation. We are mostly interested in having you address any gaps in your professional experience, or anything you would consider a weakness that could have an impact on your admission status. Please limit optional essays to no more than 250 words.
Your essay should contain only true information and your own, original content. You should not use artificial intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, to write any portion of your essay. If you include a quote or text written by any other person or published in any printed or online format, you must surround the copied text in quotation marks (") and indicate the original source of the text. Information reported on your résumé is subject to verification. The Heinz College Office of Admissions utilizes several methods to identify plagiarized, AI-generated, and falsified content in uploaded documents. Submission of false, plagiarized or AI-generated material as part of the application for admission may result in automatic denial of admission to any degree program.
The completion of a short video interview is optional, but strongly recommended, and extremely important for applicants to the AIM program, especially individuals unable to visit campus prior to the application deadline or those who are non-native English speakers.
You will receive an email invitation to complete the video interview after you submit your online application and after we receive your official undergraduate transcript (or course-by-course evaluation report).
Heinz College is committed to ensuring the integrity of our admissions process and the reputation of our educational programs. We also want to protect and enhance the value of the degrees that we confer. As an enrolling student, you will be required to successfully complete a verification process of your admission application materials. The verification process will be completed by an outside, independent contractor hired by Heinz College and Carnegie Mellon University.
The purpose of this background check is to protect all stakeholders of the program (students, faculty, staff, and alumni) from those who would falsify their backgrounds to gain an unfair advantage in the admissions process. We believe that this verification will support our efforts to ensure integrity throughout the program. Upon admission, you will receive more details about this process from the Office of Admissions.
Required Quantitative and Technical Preparation for AIM
You may want to consider enrolling in prerequisite coursework prior to applying for admission.
The AIM program at Heinz College is quantitatively focused. In order to ensure success for our master’s students, the faculty have established guidelines for preparedness that must be achieved prior to starting classes at Heinz College. It is ideal for students to demonstrate the required quantitative and technical preparation prior to submitting their application (however, there are opportunities for students to complete the following requirements once admitted to the program prior to the start of the first semester as an AIM student):
- College/university-level Pre-Calculus (can also be satisfied with a calculus class or higher)
- College/university-level Introductory Statistics
- College/university-level Introductory Python Programming (Java and C++ are also acceptable)
If you don’t meet all three criteria at the time of application, you may be offered conditional admission and be required to take the class(es) over the summer immediately preceding the start of your first semester at Heinz.
Please note the following for the required quantitative and technical classes:
- Must be a college-/ university-level course at an accredited institution
- Must be for credit and a grade of B or higher
- The course may be taken on-campus or online
Courses that do not grant credit and a grade will not fulfill these requirements, even if you receive a certificate of completion for the course. The course must be completed prior to their first semester at Heinz College.
Heinz College does not prefer any specific institution at which you should complete your prerequisite coursework. Courses offered through Coursera or other MOOC platforms do not meet the prerequisite coursework requirements for admission to Heinz College.
Our faculty and staff are here to help you review courses you are considering. If you have any questions regarding admission and enrollment prerequisites, please contact the Office of Admissions via email at hnzadmit@andrew.cmu.edu, or give us a call at 412-268-2164.
See below for related course descriptions and pre-approved course options.
Students admitted to the AIM program are required to have undergraduate coursework in pre-calculus and statistics prior to their first semester at Heinz College. You can meet this requirement by completing college-level courses with a grade of B or higher covering these topics.
Students may want to consider enrolling in prerequisite coursework prior to applying for admission. Taking a pre-calculus and/or statistics course is a great way to show the Admissions Committee you are proactively preparing for graduate school and fulfilling the prerequisites for enrollment.
Prospective students who want to complete the prerequisite quantitative courses for admission to Heinz College should consider the descriptions below when looking for suitable classes in pre-calculus and/or statistics.
Pre-Calculus
Identify a college-level course that covers algebraic concepts and basic trigonometry. At the conclusion of the course, students should be able to translate word problems into linear equations, plot equations, solve the system for a solution, and consider linear inequalities. Outcomes should include graphing linear equations (i.e., point-slope form, slope-intercept form, general form, perpendicular and parallel lines) and understanding linear optimization, objective function, constraints, feasible region, solving, and interpreting solutions. Additionally, the pre-calculus course should include circular geometry, trigonometric functions, and polar coordinates.
Statistics
Identify an introductory, college-level course in probability/statistics. An appropriate course would be designed for students with very little or no background in statistics. At the conclusion of the course, students should have the basic tools for analyzing data and outcomes involving probabilistic circumstances. Topics should include probability and probability tables, conditional probability, Bayes' Rule, random variables and expected value, and a basic understanding of normal distribution and hypothesis testing.
Our faculty and staff are here to help you review the courses you are considering. If you have any questions regarding admission and enrollment prerequisites, please contact the Office of Admissions via email at hnzadmit@andrew.cmu.edu, or give us a call at 412-268-2164.
AIM students who have not completed a programming course prior to admission will be required to take and pass an “Introduction to Python” course offered by Heinz College, which is available online during the summer prior to enrolling at Heinz College (no tuition is charged).
Prospective students who want to complete the prerequisite programming course prior to applying for admission should consider the course descriptions when looking for a suitable class.
Applying to an Accelerated Master's Program as an Undergraduate Student
See below for detailed information on the AIM Accelerated Master's Program for Carnegie Mellon University undergraduate students.
Heinz College and Ajou University offer an Accelerated Master's Program to qualified Ajou University undergraduate students. The program, structured as three years at Ajou University followed by three semesters at Heinz College, results in students receiving both a bachelor's and a master's degree in less time than is normally required.
Eligibility
The program is designed for Ajou University students who have completed their third year.
Admissions Requirements
Students can apply online for free in the fall (August to December) of their third year for admission at the start of their fourth year. As an Accelerated Master's applicant, you are required to submit the application materials and meet the admission criteria required of all AIM applicants, detailed above in the "Application Checklist" section.
Tuition and Fees
Students will pay tuition and fees to Ajou University from their first through third years. They will pay tuition and fees to Carnegie Mellon for their graduate program for three semesters beyond the completion of their third year.
Conferral of Degrees
Students will receive both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees upon completion of their graduate program at Carnegie Mellon. Ajou University will count units taken during the master’s program toward the student’s bachelor’s degree according to its policies and procedures. Carnegie Mellon will forward to Ajou University transcripts and other necessary information on student academic performance.
Scholarships
Ajou University students will be eligible for scholarship support (if applicable) from Ajou University for their first through third years. They will be eligible for scholarship support from the Heinz College for the length of their graduate program, and can apply to any and all Heinz College scholarship funds for which they are eligible (based on program and the individual scholarship fund’s specific requirements).
Number of Students
Each year, Heinz College will admit a maximum of five qualified Ajou University students to the AIM program.
Prerequisites
For detailed prerequisite information and course descriptions for the Artificial Intelligence Systems Management program please see the "Prerequisite Coursework Information" section above.
Review our accelerated master's program info sheet for detailed information on the AIM Accelerated Master's Program for Carnegie Mellon University undergraduate students.
Heinz College and ESAN University Faculty of Engineering offer an Accelerated Master's Program to qualified ESAN University Faculty of Engineering undergraduate students. The program, structured as four years at ESAN University followed by three semesters at Heinz College, results in students receiving both a bachelor's and a master's degree in less time than is normally required.
Eligibility
The program is designed for ESAN University students who have completed their fourth year.
Admissions Requirements
Students can apply online for free in the fall (August to December) of their fourth year for admission at the start of their fifth year. As an Accelerated Master's applicant, you are required to submit the application materials and meet the admission criteria required of all AIM applicants, detailed above in the "Application Checklist" section.
Tuition and Fees
Students will pay tuition and fees to ESAN University from their first through fourth years. They will pay tuition and fees to Carnegie Mellon for their graduate program for three semesters beyond the completion of their fourth year. ESAN University students will be required to maintain enrollment at ESAN during the accelerated program, but will not owe any fees to ESAN University while enrolled at Carnegie Mellon in their fifth year.
Conferral of Degrees
ESAN students will complete a three-unit independent study in their final semester to meet the research requirement as required by Peruvian University Law No. 30220. Students will receive both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees upon completion of their graduate program at Carnegie Mellon. ESAN University will count units taken during the master’s program toward the student’s bachelor’s degree according to its policies and procedures. Carnegie Mellon will forward to ESAN University transcripts and other necessary information on student academic performance.
Scholarships
ESAN University students will be eligible for scholarship support (if applicable) from ESAN University for their first through fourth years. They will be eligible for scholarship support from the Heinz College for the length of their graduate program, and can apply to any and all Heinz College scholarship funds for which they are eligible (based on program and the individual scholarship fund’s specific requirements).
Number of Students
Each year, Heinz College will admit a maximum of five qualified ESAN University students to the AIM program.
Prerequisites
For detailed prerequisite information and course descriptions for the Artificial Intelligence Systems Management program please see the "Prerequisite Coursework Information" section above.
Heinz College and VinUniversity offer an Accelerated Master's Program to qualified VinUniversity undergraduate students. The program, structured as three years at VinUniversity followed by three semesters at Heinz College, results in students receiving both a bachelor's and a master's degree in less time than is normally required.
Eligibility
The program is designed for VinUniversity students who have completed their third year.
Admissions Requirements
Students can apply online for free in the fall (August to December) of their third year for admission at the start of their fourth year. As an Accelerated Master's applicant, you are required to submit the application materials and meet the admission criteria required of all AIM applicants, detailed above in the "Application Checklist" section.
Tuition and Fees
Students will pay tuition and fees to VinUniversity from their first through third years. They will pay tuition and fees to Carnegie Mellon for their graduate program for three semesters beyond the completion of their third year.
Conferral of Degrees
Students will receive both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees upon completion of their graduate program at Carnegie Mellon. VinUniversity will count units taken during the master’s program toward the student’s bachelor’s degree according to its policies and procedures. Carnegie Mellon will forward to VinUniversity transcripts and other necessary information on student academic performance.
Scholarships
VinUniversity students will be eligible for scholarship support (if applicable) from VinUniversity for their first through third years. They will be eligible for scholarship support from the Heinz College for the length of their graduate program, and can apply to any and all Heinz College scholarship funds for which they are eligible (based on program and the individual scholarship fund’s specific requirements).
Number of Students
Each year, Heinz College will admit a maximum of five qualified VinUniversity students to the AIM program.
Prerequisites
For detailed prerequisite information and course descriptions for the Artificial Intelligence Systems Management program please see the "Prerequisite Coursework Information" section above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Didn't find what you were looking for on this page? Check out our Admissions Frequently Asked Questions page for additional information on any of the topics or processes outlined above.