The IS-MSE Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) is a 5th year master's program for undergraduate Information Systems majors offered jointly by the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon. The AMP gives you a head start in earning a master’s degree while still enrolled as an undergraduate student. As a student in the AMP, you will receive your master’s degree three semesters after receiving your bachelor’s degree. Compare that to a traditional plan where a bachelor's degree takes four years, plus one and half to two years to earn a master’s degree. With the IS-MSE-AMP, you save both time and money, launching your career, ahead, above, and beyond.
Plan of Study - Fall 2027 (without internship)
UNDERGRADUATE SENIOR YEAR -- Fall
17-650 Fundamentals of AI for SE (9)
17-651 Software Specifications (12)
17-622 Agile Methods (12) OR
17-619 Product Management Essentials, mini-1 (6) AND 17-626 Requirements for Information Systems, mini-2 (6) OR 17-627 Requirements for Embedded Systems, mini-2 (6)
Estimated Total: 33 units + any remaining undergrad units
UNDERGRADUATE SENIOR YEAR -- Spring
17-653 Software Engineering Management (12)* OR
17-XXX SE Elective (12)
17-655 Architecture and Design (12)
Estimated Total: 24 units + any remaining undergrad units
*If a student chooses Agile Methods in the fall semester, this Management requirement has been fulfilled and the student may replace the course with a third 12 unit SE Elective. If a student took the alternative courses in the fall semester, they must take 17-653 in the spring and will only complete two SE electives over the course of the degree.
5TH YEAR MASTER’S-- Summer following Senior Year
17-671 Studio I (24)
SE Elective (12)
Total: 36 units
5TH YEAR MASTER’S -- Fall
17-603 Communications for Leaders I (6)
17-654 Software Quality Engineering (12)
17-672 Studio II (36)
Total: 54 units
5TH YEAR MASTER’S--Spring
17-604 Communications for Leaders II (6)
SE Free Elective (12)
Total: 18 units
MSE courses are scheduled in sequence to prepare you for the Practicum capstone experience beginning in the summer after your undergraduate senior year. Please make every effort to follow this plan of study. If you are unable to enroll in a course listed here, please consult your MSE Graduate Advisor.
Undergradaute seniors will have two advisors — one for their undergraduate major one for the MSE.
Plan of Study- Fall 2027 (with internship)
UNDERGRADUATE SENIOR YEAR -- Fall
17-650 Fundamentals of AI for SE (9)
17-651 Software Specifications (12)
17-622 Agile Methods (12) OR
17-619 Product Management Essentials, mini-1 (6) AND 17-626 Requirements for Information Systems, mini-2 (6) OR 17-627 Requirements for Embedded Systems, mini-2 (6)
Estimated Total: 33 units + any remaining undergrad units
UNDERGRADUATE SENIOR YEAR -- Spring
17-653 Software Engineering Management (12)* OR
17-XXX SE Elective (12)
17-655 Architecture and Design (12)
Estimated Total: 24 units + any remaining undergrad units
*If a student chooses Agile Methods in the fall semester, this Management requirement has been fulfilled and the student may replace the course with a third 12 unit SE Elective. If a student took the alternative courses in the fall semester, they must take 17-653 in the spring and will only complete two SE electives over the course of the degree.
5TH YEAR MASTER’S-- Summer following Senior Year
17-676 Software Engineering Internship (3)
Total: 3 non-tuition bearing units
5TH YEAR MASTER’S -- Fall
17-603 Communications for Leaders I (6)
17-654 Software Quality Engineering (12)
17-671 Studio I (24)
17-XXX SE Free Elective (12)
Total: 54 units
5TH YEAR MASTER’S -- Spring
17-604 Communications for Leaders II (6)
17-672 Studio II (36)
17-XXX SE Free Elective (12)
Total: 54 units
MSE courses are scheduled in sequence to prepare you for the Practicum capstone experience beginning in the 5th year fall semester. Please make every effort to follow this plan of study. If you are unable to enroll in a course listed here, please consult your MSE Graduate Advisor.
Seniors will have two advisors — one for their undergraduate major one for the MSE.
Plan of Study - Before Fall 2027
SENIOR YEAR — Fall
17-611 Statistics for Decision Making (6 units)
17-626 Requirements for Info Systems (6 units)
17-623 Quality Assurance (6 units)
Plus any units needed to complete undergraduate major and minor requirements.
Total: 18 units + any remaining undergrad units
SENIOR YEAR — Spring
17-635 Software Architectures (6 units)
17-632 Software Project Management (6 units)
17-514 Principles of Software Construction (12 units)
17-643 Quality Management (6 units)
17-647 Data Intensive and Scalable Systems (6 units)
Plus any units needed to complete undergraduate major and minor requirements.
Total: 36 units + any remaining undergrad units
Summer Following Senior Year
17-667 Internship for Software Engineers (3 units, non-tuition bearing)
5th YEAR — Fall
17-603 Communications for Software Leaders (3 units)
17-614 Formal Methods (6 units)
17-622 Agile Methods (6 units)
17-675 Software Engineering Practicum (36 units)
Total: 51 units
5th YEAR — Spring
17-604 Communications for Software Leaders (3 units)
17-619 Product Management Essentials I (6 units)
17-636 DevOps: Engineering for Secure Development and Deployment (12 units)
SE Free Elective (12 units)
SE Free Elective (12 units)
Total: 45 units
MSE courses are scheduled in sequence to prepare you for the Practicum capstone experience in the 5th year fall semester. Please make every effort to follow this plan of study. If you are unable to enroll in a course listed here, please consult your MSE Graduate Advisor.
Seniors will have two advisors — one for their undergraduate major one for the MSE.
How to Apply
The following materials are required with your online application:
- Letters of Recommendation: At least two letters of recommendation should be submitted on your behalf from academic and/or industry personnel who have worked closely with you recently. Letters are typically written by faculty and supervisors. It is encouraged that you contact your recommenders as soon as possible in order to allow them enough time to compose your letter.
- Official Transcripts: Your official CMU transcript must be requested through the HUB and delivered to the MSE program. If applicable, official transcript from all colleges or universities attended, regardless of whether credit or degree was obtained.
- Statement of Purpose: Your statement should include specific details about your professional goals and about your software engineering experience on teams and projects.
- Resume/CV
- IS-MSE-AMP Advising Agreement: Applicants must complete this document and upload it in the application portal.
- Required Interview: Applicants are required to interview with the MSE Admissions Manager. Applicants are responsible to setup a time to meet before the application deadline.
IS-MSE-AMP Admissions Timeline
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FALL CYCLE |
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Application Opens |
September 9, 2026 |
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Application Deadline |
October 26, 2026 |
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IS-MSE Interview (applicant is responsible for scheduling) |
November 2026 |
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Admissions Decisions Released |
December 2026 |
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Begin Taking MSE Courses |
August 2027 |
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| SPRING CYCLE | |
| Application Opens | February 3, 2027 |
| Application Deadline | March 22, 2027 |
| IS-MSE Interview (applicant is responsible for scheduling) | April 2027 |
| Admissions Decisions Released | May 2027 |
| Begin Taking MSE Courses | August 2027 |
Please note that while there are two application cycles for the IS-MSE AMP every year, there is only one start date for the program which is in the Fall.
Am I required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores?
IS-MSE applicants do not need to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
What is the tuition for the master's portion of the program?
The tuition rate is the same rate as the MSE-SS and MSE-ES Programs.
A note for international students
International students are eligible to apply to the IS-MSE-AMP program. If an international student would like to complete the internship option, there are limitations on how that can be fulfilled. There are options available that can be discussed in the interview.
Ask me anything!
Still have questions about the application process? Senior Admissions Officer Marlana Ivey is here to help. GET IN TOUCH.