Carnegie Mellon University campus

Engineering

MS Information Security (MSIS) at Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University, United States

Programme overview

The MS in Information Security is an interdisciplinary programme combining information security, systems engineering and information networking. Founded in 2003, it was one of the first US graduate programmes dedicated to information security and underpins CMU's Cyber Operations and Cyber Defense academic excellence designations.

Faculty: College of Engineering  |  Department: Information Networking Institute  |  Duration: 123 units (75 core + 48 electives)  |  Intake: Fall or Spring  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

The 2026-27 curriculum has 75 core units (systems, networking, 24 units security, cyber risk modeling, degree-specific security core, professional development) plus 48 elective units. Sample courses include Secure Coding (14-735) and Advanced Real-World Data Networks (14-760); Cyber Defense and Cyber Operations specialisations and a CyFIR track are available.

Career pathways

First-destination roles include Software Engineer, Security Engineer and Cryptography Researcher with an average salary of $144,214.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Information Networking Institute master's programmes: minimum recommended GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; the GRE is not requested or reviewed for Fall 2027. Three letters of recommendation (one from professional experience and two from faculty preferred), a resume of up to two pages, three required essays of up to 300 words (plus one optional) and a three-minute video response are required. International and US permanent resident applicants submit TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic or Duolingo scores (valid two years) unless they completed four years of in-residence US undergraduate study or are UK/Canadian citizens whose native language is English. Fall 2027 deadlines: priority December 1, 2026; final January 29, 2027. Application fee $75 (waived by attending a registered info session).

Requirements published at program group level.

Intake: Fall or Spring

Duration: 123 units (75 core + 48 electives)

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