Carnegie Mellon University

Integrated Innovation Institute

Engineering + Design + Business

Carnegie Mellon University Integrated Innovation Institute Logo

Admissions

admissions staff member with students at grace hooper conference

Calling all changemakers.

Do you want to launch your own tech venture? Create meaningful products or services for real people? Pivot into a career in product management? You've found the right place.

We offer interdisciplinary education across various academic pursuits including an undergraduate degree, master's degrees, and online certificates in:

tbd

Take the Next Step

Connect with our admissions team to learn how you could launch an innovative career at the cross-section of engineering, business, and design.

Get guidance on the application process, learn more about our on campus and online programs or meet with an Admissions Officer.

application icon  Application Deadlines

To be considered, you must submit an online application and all supplemental materials before the deadline:

MIIPS & MIIPS Advanced Study

Start-Term:
Fall 2025

MIIPS
Application Deadline:

January 20, 2025
MIIPS Online Degree & Certificates

Start-Term:
Rolling Admissions (Spring 2025)

MIIPS Online
Application Deadline:
December 1, 2024  

MIIPS Online
Enrolled Deadline:
December 15, 2024
M.S. Software Management
Full-Time


Start-Term:
Fall 2025

MSSM
Full-Time Application Deadline:

January 20, 2025
M.S. Software Management
Part-Time


Start-Term:
Spring 2025

MSSM
Part-Time Application Deadline:

December  1, 2024

Learn More About Applying to Each Program

Innovation Includes Everyone

One of the goals behind the Integrated Innovation Institute is to integrate diverse and varied perspectives to achieve innovation. But we would be remiss not to acknowledge that there are inherent advantages and disadvantages to certain populations created by the systems that are in place. We acknowledge these disparities and aim to make things right with not just words but action.

We pride ourselves on having utilized a truly holistic approach since our department’s creation. However there is always room to improve to make our admissions process more equitable and inclusive.

Here are the steps we’ve taken to do just that:

Accessibility to Information

icon of a video conference where two people are talking

Not everyone has the luxury of visiting campus, meeting face-to-face with faculty, and sitting in on a class. So we’ve created opportunities to bring the iii experience to you:

  • One-on-one virtual/phone appointments with the Associate Director of Admissions
  • Zoom meetings with current student Admissions Ambassadors on your schedule
  • Programmatic informational webinars

Virtual Visits

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By making these opportunities more accessible for all, prospective students regardless of ability, socioeconomic status, citizenship status, location, etc. are better informed about iii programs and application processes and thus better equipped at preparing a strong application package for the right program for them.

  • Virtual admissions specific webinars including an overview of the application process and portfolio Q&A with the program director
  • Virtual class visit opportunities

Application Process

application process icon of an application window

A holistic review process means candidates are not automatically admitted or denied based on GPA or test scores.

Our admission review process takes into consideration all aspects: GPA, letters of recommendation, video essay response, work experience, goals and interests aligned with our department, and relevant test scores and portfolios as supplied.

We do not utilize long Statements of Purpose but rather a series of short essays to better understand you, your interest in the iii, and your career goal.

Academic Testing

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Since fall 2021, we've made the GRE/GMAT optional. For applicants without GRE scores, the weight of other submitted materials is adjusted accordingly. In 2022, 43% of admitted students provided GRE scores, while 57% did not. This supports that our process of being GRE Optional is not biased in favor of students supplying the GRE.

To provide a more accessible English proficiency exam option for international applicants, we now accept not just the TOEFL and IELTS but also the Duolingo English Test. This option allows applicants to take their English proficiency exam online without an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Yes, all programs offered at the Integrated Innovation Institute are considered STEM programs.  The CIP codes by degree are the following:
MIIPS 15.1502
MSSM 14.0903
You are strongly discouraged from applying to more than one program within the Integrated Innovation Institute. We encourage our students to attend information sessions and speak with our admissions team to learn more about the details of each of our programs.
The Integrated Innovation Institute does not accept transfer credit for courses completed from other CMU departments or any other institutions.

Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for the purpose of rendering an admission decision. Official transcripts will be requested upon enrollment, which may be submitted in the following ways:

1. Mailing directly to

Carnegie Mellon University
Integrate Innovation Institute
c/o Admissions
311 S Craig St 2nd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3734
United States

2. Sending electronically via an official parchment service (e.g. Parchment.com). When using these services, please send to admissions-iii@mxy163.com

3. Via a credential evaluation service

Please be sure to check with your issuing institutions and test centers that all required materials have been sent to us with complete information. 

Please allow 3-4 weeks for your application materials to be processed, as we receive a large volume of documentation around application deadlines.

You can verify which supporting documents have been received by our team by logging in to your online application and reviewing the application materials checklist.

We encourage prospective students to independently seek outside scholarships and grants, including through the following resources here at Carnegie Mellon University: Please note that because of the professional and practical nature of our programs, CMUiii does not offer teaching or research assistantships.

The iii Experience: In Their Own Words

neha dwivedi headshot"It's a common tendency to focus on building the perfect solution. Consequently, solutions in industry are often force fit to problems that may or may not be a priority for the user. The MIIPS Program has ingrained in me the habit of asking a lot of questions about the problem first before I move on to evaluate the solution."

- Neha Dwivedi, MIIPS '22
Senior Product Manager, MIM Software Inc.
 

kelsey engbrecht headshot"I started thinking about what I could have had on my resume that would have helped me get that dream job, so I started looking through graduate programs. The MIIPS program combines the business, technology, and user experience skills you need as a product manager, and that felt like exactly the thing I needed."

- Kelsey Engbrecht, MIIPS Online '25
Senior Manager, Digital Solutions at Baker Tilly
 

neal kunkle headshot"The MSSM program stood out to me as the perfect interdisciplinary learning opportunity. I wanted to expand my understanding of the full software process and all that goes into building a running software product. "

- Neal Kunkle, MSSM '23
Senior Technical Project Manager at Elektrobit