All applicants must provide documentation of their completed undergraduate degree (a bachelor's degree or its equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution prior to matriculation. (Applicants who have not completed their bachelor's degree by the time they submit their application for admission may be admitted to CMU Australia with the condition they submit their final transcript, including their date of graduation, prior to the start of their first semester at CMU Australia.)

For the Graduate Certificate in BIDA and the Advanced Certificate in BIDA applicants need a recently completed IT undergraduate degree. If applicants do not have this but have 3 or more years of recent professional IT work experience they are still eligible to apply.

All Information Technology programs require programming experience in an object-oriented programming language such as Java or C++. Students who do not have this experience must achieve a grade of B or higher in one of the courses listed here: Pre-Approved Object Oriented Programming Courses.

The 12-month track requires 3 or more years of professional work experience.

The 21-month track does not require any work experience.

For the Graduate Certificate in BIDA and the Advanced Certificate in BIDA applicants need 3 or more years of recent professional IT work experience. If applicants do not have this work experience but have recently completed IT undergraduate degree they are still eligible to apply.

You are required to sit the CMU Institutional Maths Online Test (IMOT) or submit official test results from either the GRE or GMAT.

About CMU IMOT

• The test is free of charge.
• It is a one hour test comprising 32 multiple choice questions. The topics include basic algebra, calculus and statistics calculations.
• The test can only be taken once and you will need to achieve a minimum score of 80%.

How to Apply

• Submit your online application.
• After submission, the admission committee will review your application.
• CMU-A admissions team will then get back to you with the instructions on how to take the test.

For applicants electing to take the GRE or GMAT

Students must achieve an average minimum score of GRE 300 or GMAT 600.

The test scores must be reported directly by the testing service. The Education Testing Service (ETS) administers the GRE (www.ets.org/gre). The Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) administers the GMAT (www.mba.com).

We recommend that applicants take the GMAT or GRE at least one month prior to the application deadline (please see Application Deadline information within each program's admissions requirements section). Please note there is no preference between the GRE or the GMAT for our Masters' programs.

Please report your official GRE or GMAT scores to us by following these steps:

1. Order an official score report from the testing service to be sent directly to CMU Australia (see codes listed below). You may submit scores from up to 2 valid GRE or GMAT exam dates test dates. CMU Australia will use the highest score verified in each section if you have taken the exam more than one time. For every score you wish to include with your application, you must submit the official score report(s) via the testing service. We will not accept exam scores for test dates that are not listed on the application.
2. On the online application, enter the exam date for every exam you want to report to us. Enter as much additional information as possible, including registration number for the GRE or exam appointment number for the GMAT. Note that the only required information is the exam date. We will not verify scores for exam dates that are not listed on your application.

Please have your scores sent to the CMU Australia using the following codes.

Test Preparation Resources

Check out the following websites for resources that will help you prepare for your standardized test-taking:

• GMAT Preparation Information
• GMAT Preparation Information
• Student Guide to Taking the GRE
• Kaplan GRE Question-a-Day
• Kaplan 20-Minute Workout
• Kaplan Free GRE Practice Test

Australian Permanent Residents who have not studied or worked in Australia for more than 5 years are required to submit scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Academic or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). **There is an exemption for citizens from certain countries as stated below.

Citizens of the following countries who have undertaken secondary and/or tertiary study in English in the national education system (or equivalent) and/or at a recognised, local university in any of the countries listed below:

It is strongly recommended for applicants to take the TOEFL or IELTS at least one month prior to the application deadline..

If your test date is within one month of the application deadline, please be sure to email the scores to the office of admissions

You may submit scores from up to 4 valid TOEFL or IELTS exam dates. CMU Australia will use the highest score verified in each section if you have taken the exam more than one time. For every score you wish to include with your application, you must report the exam date(s) and submit the official score report(s). We will not accept exam scores for test dates that are not listed on the application.

TOEFL

• iBT preferred
• Scores must be submitted directly by Educational Testing Service (ETS). When registering for the TOEFL, please use the following institute code: 2176.
• The minimum TOEFL score is 22 on each section of the Internet-based test.

IELTS

• You may submit International English Language Testing System (IELTS) results in place of the TOEFL.
• The "Academic" format of the IELTS is required.
• Test scores must be submitted directly by IELTS.
• The minimum IELTS score is 6.0 in the writing and speaking bands and 6.5 in the reading and listening bands.

If you took either of these tests more than two years ago, you MUST take it again. The testing agency will not verify scores more than two years old.

If your score is below the minimum on either exam, you should consider retaking the TOEFL/IELTS before applying.

Applicants are required to submit a resume. Please submit a one or two page summary of your education skills, accomplishments, employment experience and volunteer experience. The resume must be current and include all part-time and full-time work experience, the dates of when the employment began and ended and a brief description of your responsibilities under the title of the position. Click here for an example of a resume.

Please consider using the "Optional Essay" to address the reason for any "gap" in your resume, if applicable.

Your resume should contain only true information and your own, original writing. If you include a quote or text written by any other person or published in any printed or online format, you must surround the copied text in quotation marks (") and indicate the original source of the text. Information reported on your resume is subject to verification. CMU Australia utilises several methods to identify plagiarised and falsified content in uploaded documents. Submission of false or plagiarised material as part of the application for admission may result in automatic denial of admission to any degree program.

Required Essay. You are required to submit an essay (approximately 1,000 words) describing your academic and professional background, your career goals, and how the program will help you achieve your goals.

Your essay should contain only true information and your own, original writing. Your essay should be typed on a computer, saved electronically, and uploaded to the application (please do not scan a printed essay). If you include a quote or text written by any other person or published in any printed or online format, you must surround the copied text in quotation marks (") and indicate the original source of the text. CMU Australia utilises several methods to identify plagiarised and falsified content in uploaded documents. Submission of false or plagiarised material as part of the application for admission may result in automatic denial of admission to any degree program.

Follow the detailed instructions below for successfully completing your video interview and submitting it to Heinz College as part of your application for admission.

You have the option of completing a one-question video interview in support of your application for admission. The video interview will be available after you submit your application and all required supporting materials.

The video interview is optional, but is strongly recommended for non-native speakers of English. We encourage all applicants to consider completing the video interview.

Preparing For Your Video Interview

As in a real, professional job interview, we do not share interview questions with you before the actual interview. If you would like to prepare for your interview, you may wish to search the internet for advice on preparing for a job interview and/or professional graduate school interview in the United States.

Note: After you begin the video interview, you will not be able to pause, cancel, or re-record any of your answers. Please keep this in mind as you decide when and where to complete your video interview to minimize the chance that you are interrupted by a roommate, family member, pet or anyone else while recording your video response.

Who Can Appear In The Video?

The video and audio must be of you, the applicant (not a proxy).

When Will You Complete Your Video Interview? What Can You Expect?

You will receive an email invitation from Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College asking you to visit the status page of your application to open your personalized video interview within 24 hours AFTER your application becomes complete (online application submitted and all recommendations, official transcripts and official test scores received).

If you want to ensure that your video interview is available when your application is reviewed, please try to complete your interview within 5 days of the date you receive the invitation to the video interview (within 5 days of when your application becomes complete).

Here is what you can expect if you choose to complete the video interview:

• You will receive an email from the us AFTER your application becomes COMPLETE (all supporting materials received and all applicable official test scores verified). This status will be posted on the "status" page of your application.
• The email will invite you to visit the status page of your application to see the video interview link to complete your video interview.

• When you click the link, the video interview window will open, providing instructions for ensuring that your computer is set up correctly for the video interview.
  • You will be able to record a test video to confirm that your settings are correct and to become comfortable with the system.
  • Immediately after recording your test video, you will have an opportunity to watch the recording.
  • You will be able to record a test response several times if you need to make adjustments to your settings - and to practice using the system. (Your test videos will not be saved, nor will they be sent to Carnegie Mellon University.)
• When you begin the actual interview, you will be asked one (1) randomly-selected question.
• You will have 90 seconds to read the question on the screen and decide how to answer.
• After the 90 seconds of reading/preparation time ends, your computer will automatically begin to record your answer.
• You will have 90 seconds to provide your answer. You will have only one chance to answer the question.
• You will not be able to pause the interview after it starts.
• You may stop recording if you finish answering the question in less than 90 seconds. (It is fine to provide a shorter answer!)
• You will not be able to re-record any answer after the interview begins.
• You will be able to watch your response.
• You will only be able to complete the interview one time.
• As with a live interview, you will not be able to re-record your answer. Please approach the video interview like a "real", live online video or in-person interview.

After you complete your video interview, it will automatically be added to your application for review by the admissions committee.

All applicants are required to have two (2) recommendation forms submitted on their behalf. Recommendations should be provided from employers, supervisors, professors, or others who are able to comment on your professional and educational goals and potential. At least one (1) of your recommenders should know you in a professional setting (full-time employment, internship, part-time employment, research, non-academic extracurricular activity, etc.) You may opt to have up to three (3) recommendations submitted in support of your application.

Please note: recommendations from friends, family members or acquaintances, and other sources not able to evaluate applicants on an academic or professional basis, will not be accepted.

Letters of recommendation must be written in or translated into English. Recommendations are submitted electronically through the online application system by your recommenders. We do not accept recommendations submitted on paper.

You must enter the names and contact information for each recommendation provider into the application system. Prior to requesting that your recommendation providers complete the recommendation online, be sure to check with them to ensure that you register them with the correct (preferably professional) email address. We will then contact the recommenders directly via email to provide them with detailed instructions on submitting their recommendations via the online system.

Please let your recommenders know that they may upload an electronic document or scanned copy of a paper-based recommendation using the online system rather than using the text box response fields (but they must upload their recommendation via the online system).

All recommenders will be asked to provide brief answers to the following questions. Recommenders may skip questions that are not applicable to what they know about you.

• How long and in what capacity have you known the applicant? Please clearly indicate your position in relation to the applicant (i.e. - professor/instructor, direct supervisor, mentor, advisor, colleague, etc.).
• Do you believe the applicant gives her/his maximum effort and perseveres towards the stated goal when given a task, assignment or project? Please provide details to support your answer.
• Discuss how the applicant works in a group (including interpersonal skills) and/or functions in a leadership role.
• Describe the applicant's ability to communicate in oral and written form.
• Provide an example where the applicant worked to solve a problem or handled a difficult situation in a professional manner
• If you are able, please describe the applicant's understanding of, background in and commitment to this academic/professional field.
  
• Please share any additional information about the applicant’s personal qualities, maturity, academic or professional record which you believe would be helpful to the admissions committee.
• Please select your overall recommendation regarding this individual's application for admission for graduate study at Carnegie Mellon University. (Recommenders must select one of these responses: Strongly recommend, Recommend, Recommend with reservations, Do not recommend.)

Bachelor's Degree Transcript from Institutions Within Australia or the United States

If your bachelor's degree was or will be confirmed by an institution located within Australia or the United States, your official transcript can be sent to Heinz College by any of the following delivery methods:

• Electronic Delivery
  If possible, we prefer electronic delivery of transcripts. The transcripts should be sent directly from the registrar of the institution (if your institution offers this service) to heinz-transcripts@andrew.cmu.edu.
• U.S. Postal Service
  Those transcripts that are mailed to Heinz College must be enclosed in a sealed, unopened envelope, signed across the seal by the registrar's office, and mailed to the following address:
  
  Heinz College Admissions
  Carnegie Mellon University
  5000 Forbes Avenue, HBH 1101
  Pittsburgh, PA 15213
  USA
  
  
• eSCRIP
  When ordering a transcript for a school that utilizes the eSCRIP online process, please be sure to select the following recipient:
  
  Carnegie Mellon University, Heinz College Graduate Admission

Bachelor's Degree Transcript from Institutions Outside Australia or the United States

If your undergraduate degree is from an institution that is located outside of the United States, you must use an academic credential verification service to obtain a course-by-course report. The academic credential verification service will then send this course-by-course report directly to Heinz College either electronically or by mail.

Please do not mail your transcript to Heinz College. We will only accept transcripts that we receive directly from an academic credential verification services.

We recommend that you use one of the following four academic credential verification services to submit your course-by-course report to Heinz College. Please note: Course-by-course reports must include a U.S. equivalent GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Please see below for detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to use each service, or additional instructions on what to do if you choose to use a different credential verification service.

• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
  
  At minimum, please select the Course-by-Course Report. To keep your costs to a minimum, be sure to select the following options:
  • Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy - Carnegie Mellon University
  • "No Rush Service"
    
    For more information, please visit: Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)

• Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
  
  Please use the order form to request the required University Course-by-Course + GPA report.
  For more information, please visit: Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
  
• SpanTran Evaluation Services
  
  Please use the online form to request the required Course Analysis report.
  For more information, please visit: SpanTran Evaluation Services
  
• World Education Service
  
  At minimum, please select the BASIC Package and the course-by-course evaluation. Be sure to select the following options:
  • Under "Your Evaluation," Type of recipient = Educational Institution
  • Under "Services and Fees," select Carnegie Mellon University, followed by:
    • Department = Heinz College of Info Systems and Public Policy - Office of Admission
  • Under "Turnaround Time," select 7-Day Service
  For more information, please visit: World Education Service

• Other Credential Verification Services
  
  We will accept evaluations from any NACES member. If you choose a credential verification service not listed above, you will need to provide them with our mailing or electronic address, depending upon how they choose to send your report to the Heinz Admissions Office. Our contact information is listed below:
  
  Electronic Delivery: heinz-transcripts@andrew.cmu.edu
  Mailing Address: Heinz College Admissions Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, HbH 1101 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA

Other Schools Attended

As an applicant, you are required to list on your application for admission all colleges or universities where you completed courses relevant to the program to which you are applying at Heinz College. For any school where you took relevant classes other than your undergraduate degree awarding institution, you must upload an unofficial transcript to the online application system.

Each unofficial transcript should clearly indicate the titles of all courses taken, grades or marks received, and the date and title of any degree(s) conferred. In addition to the official transcript from the undergraduate degree awarding institution, we must receive the unofficial transcripts for each of the other schools listed before your application will be considered complete.

CMU Australia is committed to ensuring the integrity of our admissions process and the reputation of our educational programs. We also want to protect and enhance the value of the degrees that we confer. All enrolling students will be required to successfully complete a verification process of their admission application materials. The verification process will be completed by an outside, independent contractor hired by the Heinz College and Carnegie Mellon University.

The purpose of this background check is to protect all stakeholders of the program (students, faculty, staff and alumni) from those who would falsify their backgrounds to gain an unfair advantage in the admissions process. We believe that this verification (required of all master’s students) will support our efforts to ensure integrity throughout the program. Upon admission, you will receive more details about this process.

Students who have accepted the offer of admission will be contacted by the Office of Admissions regarding the verification process prior to the start of their first semester.