Carnegie Mellon University

Handbook

Handbook requirements apply to students entering the program beginning in the year the handbook was produced. Since some requirements may differ from prior years, students should always check their own handbook to confirm and inquire with us about any questions. 

Note that students must complete the academic program requirements in place when they enter unless they elect newer ones in writing. When requirements are changed, it is because the department believes the new rules offer an improvement; any such changes will be discussed at a meeting with the graduate students. However, students currently enrolled whose degree program is affected by a change in requirement may choose to be governed by the older requirement that was in place at the time of their matriculation. In case degree requirements are changed and certain courses are no longer offered, the department will try to find some compromise that allows those students to satisfy the original requirements.

Procedures such as those on program oversight, policies on financial matters and others that are not part of your degree requirements may be updated during a student’s graduate studies (e.g. based on budgetary or other constraints) and the new departmental policies will apply to all current students at that time. Selected university policies are also incorporated in this handbook. Please be aware that, in the case of a conflict, university policy supersedes departmental policy.

Feel free to discuss additional questions with us or Lorna Williams at any time.

* Students need to complete the Ph.D. requirements in the handbook that they receive upon admission unless they choose to adopt more recent requirements. However, departmental policies (such as financial matters) can change after admission and students will need to follow the most recent policies adopted in.