Carnegie Mellon University

Master's in Logic, Computation and Methodology (M.S.)

The LCM M.S. offers unique opportunities for study in areas where the department has distinguished formal research strengths—the same research areas that are open to Ph.D. candidates.

It is well suited for students who are looking to enhance their training in selected areas of formal philosophy, in order either to pursue a vocation outside of academia or to prepare for further graduate study in Analytic Philosophy, Cognitive Psychology, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Statistics. Students are expected to complete a Master’s thesis by the end of their second year, though a purely course-based option is also available for students who do not wish to continue in academia.

Core (2 courses)

Core Seminar I & II are required for all students with no exceptions.

  • 80600 (fall term)
  • 80602 (spring term)

Formal Methods (1 course)

2 Formal Methods Minis (FMM)

  • Excluding 80603 FMM: Tools & Techniques
  • 80604 FMM: Computability Theory
  • 80607 FMM: Topology
  • 80608 FMM: Evolutionary Game Theory
  • 80609 FMM: Classical Logic
  • 80613 FMM: Language and Meaning
  • 80616 FMM: Decisions and Games
  • 80617 FMM: Causation
  • 80618 FMM: Algorithmic Complexity
  • 80619 FMM: Epistemic Logic and Topology

Target Field Breadth (3 courses)

  • 3 graduate level courses in Mathematical Sciences, School of Computer Science, Statistics & Data Science, or the relevant technical discipline (which might include Philosophy) outside the area of specialization.
  • These courses must be sufficiently different from one another to provide breadth in the target field.
  • One of these course requirements can be satisfied through one or more internships, subject to advisor and DGS approval.

Philosophy Breadth (1 course)

  • 1 course in Philosophy outside the area of specialization

Specialization (3 courses)

  • 3 graduate level courses in the area of specialization (Mathematical Sciences, School of Computer Science, Statistics & Data Science, Machine Learning, etc.)
  • At least 1 of these courses must be in Philosophy.

Master’s thesis

  • Can be replaced by a master’s degree in another discipline.

 Notes:

  • This is 10 courses in total.
  • No course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement. (Exception: courses used towards a master’s degree can also be used to satisfy the “Target Field Breadth” and “Specialization” requirements.)
  • All courses must be approved each year by a “topic advisor” for use in the individual categories. This is to ensure that the breadth courses are truly broad and that the target field makes sense.

Core (2 courses)

Core Seminar I & II are required for all students with no exceptions.

  • 80600 (fall term)
  • 80602 (spring term)

Formal Methods (1 course)

2 Formal Methods Minis (FMM)

  • Excluding 80603 FMM: Tools & Techniques
  • 80604 FMM: Computability Theory
  • 80607 FMM: Topology
  • 80608 FMM: Evolutionary Game Theory
  • 80609 FMM: Classical Logic
  • 80613 FMM: Language and Meaning
  • 80616 FMM: Decisions and Games
  • 80617 FMM: Causation
  • 80618 FMM: Algorithmic Complexity
  • 80619 FMM: Epistemic Logic and Topology

Target Field Breadth (3 courses)

  • 3 graduate level courses in Mathematical Sciences, School of Computer Science, Statistics & Data Science, or the relevant technical discipline (which might include Philosophy) outside the area of specialization.
  • These courses must be sufficiently different from one another to provide breadth in the target field.
  • One of these course requirements can be satisfied through one or more internships, subject to advisor and DGS approval.

Philosophy Breadth (1 course)

  • 1 course in Philosophy outside the area of specialization

Specialization (3 courses)

  • 3 graduate level courses in the area of specialization (Mathematical Sciences, School of Computer Science, Statistics & Data Science, Machine Learning, etc.)
  • At least 1 of these courses must be in Philosophy.

Additional (2 courses)

  • 2 additional courses in Philosophy (either in or outside the area of specialization)

 Notes:
  • This is 12 courses in total.
  • No course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement.
  • All courses must be approved each year by a “topic advisor” for use in the individual categories. This is to ensure that the breadth courses are truly broad and that the target field makes sense.

The department's interdisciplinary research thrust affords an unusually broad range of career possibilities. Graduates of the program have been offered positions in Philosophy, Mathematics, Psychology, Computer Science, and Statistics, as well as research positions in industry. This wide range of interesting career opportunities reflects the department's unique dedication to serious, interdisciplinary research ties.

For a complete listing of our graduates and placement record, see our Masters alumni page.

The Philosophy Department offers all admitted master’s students with demonstrated financial need a tuition fellowship of up to 50%

In addition, qualified master’s students may have the opportunity to serve as teaching assistants or graders for undergraduate courses, for a stipend rate set annually by the department. In the 2023-2024 academic year, master’s students earned a $5,000 stipend for grading one course or a $6,000 stipend for serving as a TA. Such positions are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. 

Both the M.A. in Philosophy and M.S. in Logic, Computation and Methodology programs require two years of coursework. Students are not required to write a master’s thesis, although there is an option to do so. The normal full-time graduate course load in Philosophy is a minimum of three, 12-unit courses per term. Students must pass all required courses with a grade of B or higher. In order to receive a master’s degree, students must have a cumulative QPA of 3.25 or higher.

Advanced students can sometimes complete the program in a single year (including the following summer), corresponding to the fifth year of the combined 5-year B.S./M.S. degree. Also, there is a part-time version M.S. program, designed for students, such as qualified CMU staff employees using their staff benefits, who are able to pursue graduate study with only 1 or 2 courses per term.