PhD Program in Machine Learning
Carnegie Mellon University's doctoral program in Machine Learning is designed to train students to become tomorrow's leaders through a combination of interdisciplinary coursework, hands-on applications, and cutting-edge research. Graduates of the Ph.D. program in Machine Learning will be uniquely positioned to pioneer new developments in the field, and to be leaders in both industry and academia.
Understanding the most effective ways of using the vast amounts of data that are now being stored is a significant challenge to society, and therefore to science and technology, as it seeks to obtain a return on the huge investment that is being made in computerization and data collection. Advances in the development of automated techniques for data analysis and decision making requires interdisciplinary work in areas such as machine learning algorithms and foundations, statistics, complexity theory, optimization, data mining, etc.
The Ph.D. Program in Machine Learning is for students who are interested in research in Machine Learning. For questions and concerns, please contact us.
The PhD program is a full-time in-person committment and is not offered on-line or part-time.
PhD Requirements
Requirements for the PhD in Machine Learning
- Completion of required courses, (6 Core Courses + 1 Elective)
- Mastery of proficiencies in Teaching and Presentation skills.
- Successful defense of a Ph.D. thesis.
Teaching
Ph.D. students are required to serve as Teaching Assistants for two semesters in Machine Learning courses (10-xxx), beginning in their second year. This fulfills their Teaching Skills requirement.
Conference Presentation Skills
During their second or third year, Ph.D. students must give a talk at least 30 minutes long, and invite members of the Speaking Skills committee to attend and evaluate it.
Research
It is expected that all Ph.D. students engage in active research from their first semester. Moreover, advisor selection occurs in the first month of entering the Ph.D. program, with the option to change at a later time. Roughly half of a student's time should be allocated to research and lab work, and half to courses until these are completed.
Master of Science in Machine Learning Research - along the way to your PhD Degree.
Other Requirements
In addition, students must follow all university policies and procedures.
Rules for the MLD PhD Thesis Committee (applicable to all ML PhDs):
The committee should be assembled by the student and their advisor, and approved by the PhD Program Director(s). It must include:
- At least one MLD Core Faculty member
- At least one additional MLD Core or Affiliated Faculty member
- At least one External Member, usually meaning external to CMU
- A total of at least four members, including the advisor who is the committee chair
Financial Support
Application Information
For applicants applying in Fall 2025 for a start date of August 2026 in the Machine Learning PhD program, GRE Scores are OPTIONAL.
The committee uses GRE scores to gauge quantitative skills, and to a lesser extent, also verbal skills.
Proof of English Language Proficiency
If you will be studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa, and English is not a native language for you (native language…meaning spoken at home and from birth), an official copy of an English proficiency score report is required. The English proficiency requirement cannot be waived for any reason. Find more information under "Test Scores" on our FAQ page. will be studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa, and English is not a native language for you (native language…meaning spoken at home and from birth), we are required to formally evaluate your English proficiency.
If you need to take/retake your TOEFL, IELTS and/or GRE for this application, we highly recommend you take the exam no later than Nov. 26, 2025.
