The part-time Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program has multiple tracks allowing you to specialize in your preferred area of study. MSIT students take classes via distance-learning, on campus in the evening, or through a hybrid of on-campus and distance classes. The program is designed for working professionals who have earned a bachelor's degree and have three or more years of relevant, post-undergraduate, full-time work experience. Some tracks have different application requirements, so it is important for you to review the information below regarding the application deadline and requirements before you begin your online application.
Application Deadlines
MSIT offers three deadlines throughout the year.
- To begin classes during the fall semester in late August, apply by June 1.
- To begin classes during the spring semester in early January, apply by November 1.
- To begin classes during the summer semester in mid-May, apply by March 1.
Supporting materials may arrive after the deadline. Applications are reviewed after all required materials have been received. Please contact the Office of Admissions if you are interested in submitting an application after the published deadline. If your application is complete, you will be notified of our decision approximately three to five weeks after the application deadline.
Application Checklist
Before you begin the online application process, please carefully review the list of application requirements and admission criteria for the Master of Science in Information Technology 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.
For the current admission cycle, submission of GRE/GMAT test results is optional.
Although this year is test-optional, we will accept and consider GRE or GMAT scores from students who have previously taken either of these exams. If you think your scores are reflective of your ability and potential, you may share the scores as part of your application for consideration. If you are going to submit scores, read more about detailed information on submitting your standardized test scores.
Please note, MSIT - Business Intelligence and Data Analytics (MSIT-BIDA) Pathway Applicants:
For the current admission cycle, submission of GRE/GMAT test results will be optional but recommended as part of the holistic review and evaluation of applications to the MSIT-BIDA pathway. Although the GRE/GMAT will be optional, they are strongly recommended if you are applying for admission to the MSIT-BIDA pathway and your transcript does not contain significant coursework in Mathematics, Computer Science, or other heavily quantitative disciplines (in order for you to provide evidence of your quantitative abilities). We assess applicants holistically and take into consideration many factors, including computational background and skill. This skill can be demonstrated by the submission of GRE/GMAT scores and/ or by coursework in computer science, advanced algebra/ precalculus (and/ or calculus), statistics, and/ or related areas.
If your native language (mother tongue) is not English, you are required to submit an official score report from the TOEFL, IELTS, or 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 undergraduate education in the United States and earned their bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited US 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 educational background, 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.
Applicants to the Public Policy and Management: Washington, D.C., program will also be required to submit an additional essay: Download/View MSPPM-D.C. Track Essay Question.
MSIT is designed for working professionals who have have three or more years of relevant, post-undergraduate, full-time work experience. If you do not yet have this level of work experience, please contact us to discuss your background before you apply.
The admissions committee will review the submitted CV/Resume to identify an applicants work experience history.
<p>
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. <strong>Please limit optional essays to no more than 250 words</strong>.
</p>
<p>
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. <strong>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</strong>.
</p>
The completion of a short video interview is optional for applicants to the MSIT program, but may be helpful to the Admissions Committee.
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.
Carnegie Mellon University seeks authorization, licensure, or exemption, as applicable, in various U.S. states and territories in compliance with U.S. Federal and State regulations that govern the offering and delivery of distance education programs and courses in those states and territories. Information is provided concerning the University’s current authorizations, licensure, and exemptions for the offering and delivery of distance education programs and courses.
For important information regarding Distance Education, please view the University’s Consumer Information website.
Inquiries regarding state authorizations may be directed to: Director of Enrollment Services, Carnegie Mellon University, Warner Hall A19, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Telephone: 412-268-5399, Email: krieg@andrew.cmu.edu
If you have questions regarding the MSIT application process, please contact David Danenberg at the Heinz College Office of Admissions at davidbd@andrew.cmu.edu
Individuals who have U.S. sanctions levied against them or who are ordinarily resident of U.S. sanctioned countries or expecting to live in certain U.S. sanctioned countries while participating in the program as a student are not eligible for admission to all or certain programs at Carnegie Mellon University due to U.S. legal restrictions or prohibitions.
Applications from these individuals or residents of these countries will, if restricted or prohibited, not be accepted. If a non-sanctioned individual is admitted to a program while ordinarily resident or living in a non-U.S. sanctioned country and his/her status, residency or country in which he/she is then living while participating in the program subsequently changes during the program to one of the countries listed, continued enrollment in the program may be terminated and/or restricted due to U.S. legal restrictions and/or prohibitions and the individual may not be able to complete his/her degree.
Additional Requirements for Each Track
Information Technology Management students must complete a college-level, object-oriented programming course prior to the first day of classes. See the "Required Technical Preparation" section below for more information.
To be successful in the Business Intelligence and Data Analytics Track, we suggest that BIDA students complete a college-level, object-oriented programming course (Java or Python) or an R programming course prior to matriculation. Demonstrated ability (via academics, test scores and/or work experience) to synthesize complex quantitative and qualitative concepts is highly recommended.
To be successful in the Information Security and Assurance Track, we suggest that students entering these programs complete a college-level, object-oriented programming course in Java or Python prior to matriculation.
Required Technical Preparation
The Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program at Heinz College is technically 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 technical preparation prior to submitting their application (however, there are opportunities for students to complete the requirements once admitted to the program prior to the start of the first semester as a student):
- College / university-level Introductory Object-Oriented Programming (Java and C++)
If you don’t meet the above criteria at the time of application, you may be offered conditional admission and be required to take the class 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.
You may want to consider enrolling in prerequisite coursework prior to applying for admission.
Course Descriptions for Technical Preparation
Students admitted to the Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program are required to have undergraduate coursework in Java or C++ programming prior to their first semester at Heinz College. You can meet this requirement by completing a college-level course with a grade of B.
Students may want to consider enrolling in prerequisite coursework prior to applying for admission. Taking a programming 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 programming course prior to admission to Heinz College should consider the descriptions when looking for suitable classes in Java or C++.
If you don’t meet the criteria at the time of application, you may be offered a conditional admission and be required to take the class over the summer immediately preceding the start of your first semester at Heinz.
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.