Program Overview

Introduction to the Fifth-Year Master's in Machine Learning

The Fifth-Year Master's in Machine Learning is a program offered by Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science. This program allows CMU students to complete an M.S. in Machine Learning in one additional year by taking some of the required courses as undergraduates.

Requirements for Consideration

To be considered for the Fifth-Year Master's in Machine Learning, students must:

• Must be graduating with a bachelor's degree from Carnegie Mellon University.
• Must take precisely three of the M.S. courses during their undergraduate years, passing each with a grade of B or better. (These courses may also count toward the bachelor's degree.)
• Must take an introductory ML course no later than the semester they apply, which counts as one of the three M.S. courses. The options are:
  • 10-301 Introduction to Machine Learning
  • 10-701 Introduction to Machine Learning
  • 07-280 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning I
  • 10-315 Introduction to Machine Learning and 15-281 Artificial Intelligence — Representation and Problem Solving (counting together as one course)

Differences Between the Standard and Fifth-Year Master's Degrees

The main differences between the standard and fifth-year master's degrees are:

• Since fifth-year master's students have taken three courses for the master's during their undergraduate years, the fifth-year master's can be completed in two semesters instead of the standard three semesters.
• Fifth-year master's students must complete the program as full-time students (at least 36 units/semester) for two semesters plus a summer.

Typical Schedule

A typical schedule for the Fifth-Year Master's in Machine Learning is:

1. Courses taken in undergraduate program: Intro to ML plus two core or elective courses.
2. Summer between fourth and fifth years: practicum (internship or research related to machine learning).
3. Fall semester: 36-700: Probability and Mathematical Statistics I or 36-705: Intermediate Statistics Statistics; two core or elective courses.
4. Spring semester: three core or elective courses.

Recommendations for Prospective Applicants

Prospective applicants should:

• Take 10-301, 10-701, or 07-280 as late as the semester they apply, but should aim to take it during junior year.
• If taking it in the semester you apply, you should make sure your mid-semester grades include Intro to ML.
• Alternatively, instead of taking 10-301, 10-701, or 07-280, a student may instead take both 10-315 and 15-281. Together, these two courses can fulfill the Intro to ML requirement.

Application Process

The application process for the Fifth-Year Master's in Machine Learning involves:

• Submitting a statement of purpose (one page).
• Providing a resume or CV.
• Including a CMU unofficial academic record.
• Submitting mid-semester grades.
• Providing at least two letters of recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some frequently asked questions about the Fifth-Year Master's in Machine Learning include:

• Do I need an undergraduate degree in computer science to apply? (No, applicants from any major at CMU are welcome.)
• Can I complete a master's thesis? (No, the Fifth-Year Master's Program does not allow for a thesis option.)
• When should I apply? When will I hear back? (Students should apply in the semester before they graduate. A student graduating in May should apply in the fall, and a student graduating in December should apply in the spring.)
• Can I apply to the primary master's program if I am not admitted to the fifth-year master's? (Yes, students are welcome to apply to the primary master's program if they are not admitted to the Fifth-Year Master's Program.)
• Can I apply to the fifth-year master's a second time if I’m not admitted the first time? (We strongly discourage applicants from applying to the Fifth-Year Master's Program twice.)
• Can I apply to other graduate programs if I’ve been admitted to the fifth-year master's? (No, the decision deadline for admitted applicants is approximately a month after we send our admission letters, which is before other graduate programs would be returning their admissions decisions.)
• Is it possible to complete the degree online or part-time? (No, the Fifth-Year Master's Program requires students to take courses in person at the Pittsburgh campus full-time in both the fall and spring semesters.)