Who should apply
The Privacy Engineering program welcomes students with technical backgrounds (computer science, engineering, or equivalent experience) as well as motivated professionals transitional from related fields.How to apply
Students should apply online to the Privacy Engineering program via the CMU School of Computer Science application website. Paper documents should be scanned and submitted via the website. Your application must contain the following required items.1. Statement of Purpose
Prepare a concise (1-2 page) essay in PDF or Word format that describes your primary areas of interest, your related experiences, and your objective in pursuing a graduate degree in privacy engineering at Carnegie Mellon. Your essay should include your name and be specific in describing your interests and motivations. When describing your interests, you should explain why you think privacy engineering is an important area of study and why you are particularly well-suited to pursue this degree. You should describe any relevant education, research, commercial, government, or teaching experience.
Our review committees in every program value applicants who display persistence and resilience in the face of challenge and adversity, demonstrate a commitment to ethics, show concern for others and for their community, and/or exhibit leadership in one or more endeavors.
2. Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts from past institutions are required for your application. We will request official transcripts from you only if you are offered admission into our program; please do not send them otherwise. Instructions for sending official transcripts will be provided to admitted applicants.
3. Resume
Submit your current resume, including a summary of research and industrial experience and a list of publications (if any). Include copies of any peer-reviewed research publications (in English only) that you may have. Please list any embedded links at the bottom of the page.
4. GRE Scores
GRE scores are optional, but applicants who have taken the GRE are encouraged to submit their scores. Scores may be sent to the School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University; Institute Code: 2074, Department Code: 0402.
5. English Language Aptitude Test Scores
TOEFL/IELTS Duolingo - If your native language (language spoken at home and from birth) is not English, an official copy of an English proficiency score report is required. The English proficiency requirement cannot be waived for any reason. We strongly encourage applicants to take either the TOEFL or the IELTS. In cases where these are not available it is acceptable to take the Duolingo test. We discourage the use of the "TOEFL IPT Plus for China" since speaking is not scored. If you have previously taken the TOEFL or IELTS, your scores will be accepted if they are less than two years old. Your English language test score should indicate proficiency (A Duolingo score of 120 is equivalent to a TOEFL iBT score of 97-102). Send your scores directly to Carnegie Mellon University - School of Computer Science; Institutional Code: 4256; Departmental Code: 78.
6. Video Essay
Prepare a 1-2 minute video that lets the admission committee know who you are. Talk about what you like, what you do outside of work and school, how you spend your free time, your personal and professional goals, or anything that you did not already share in your Statement of Purpose. This will help the committee know you better and help us to evaluate your communication skills.
7. Three Letters of Recommendation
The admissions committee prefers, but does not require, letters from both academia and industry. People who recommend you should know you relatively well and should be able to discuss the quality of your work.
8. Application Fee
The application fee is $80 if you apply by the early deadline November 19; $100 after that.
Tuition and fees
For the 2025-2026 year, tuition for the Master in Privacy Engineering is set at $30,200 per semester plus fees for the entire three semester program. For the part-time program the 2025-2026 rate is $570 per unit. Upon admission, students must submit a non-refundable $500 deposit to hold their space in the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
How competitive is the selection process?
The Privacy Engineering program seeks students with strong technical backgrounds who are passionate about privacy. We are looking for students who have experience in computer science or related fields and good communication skills.
What are the minimum TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, and GPA scores for your program?
English language competency is strongly correlated to academic and professional success. Thus the degree program has a minimum English competency score requirement. A successful applicant will normally have a total TOEFL iBT score of at least 102 (with no sub-score less than 25) or an IELTS score of at least 7.5. A Duolingo score of 120 is equivalent to a TOEFL iBT score of 97-102. The degree program does not have a minimum GRE or GPA requirement. However, admitted students generally have GRE scores above the 90th percentile on the quantitative exam and above the 50th percentile on the verbal exam.
Do I have to take an English proficiency test??
If English is not your native language (spoken at home and from birth), you'll need to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores as part of your application. We require:
- TOEFL iBT: 102+ (minimum 25 per section)
- IELTS: 7.5+
- Duolingo: 120+
These scores help ensure you'll thrive in our rigorous academic environment and collaborative projects.
Note on testing availability: Due to evolving test availability globally, we accept multiple test formats. Please check current testing options in your region and contact us if you have questions about test accessibility.
What makes a strong statement of purpose for my application?
Your essay should demonstrate your readiness for graduate-level privacy engineering work. We're particularly interested in:
- Research experience: Describe projects where you've tackled complex technical problems, your specific contributions, and the outcomes
- Software development: Highlight substantial projects that show your technical skills and ability to deliver results
- Privacy-related work: Any experience with data protection, security, or privacy-conscious design
- Leadership and collaboration: Examples of working effectively in technical teams
Focus on recent experiences (typically within the last 3-5 years) that directly relate to privacy engineering. Be specific about your role and quantify impact where possible.
We value authenticity—your essay should reflect your own voice and experiences.
What makes for a strong letter of recommendation?
The most effective recommendation letters come from people who can speak specifically to your technical abilities and potential for success in privacy engineering. Strong recommenders typically include:
- Research advisors who supervised your project work
- Managers from internships or full-time positions
- Technical mentors who guided significant projects
- Professors with whom you've worked closely beyond classroom settings
We value letters that provide specific examples of your problem-solving abilities, technical skills, and professional growth. Choose recommenders who know your work well and can provide detailed insights into your capabilities.
Are research publications required for my application?
No, publications are not required, but they are perhaps the best evidence that you can do high quality research. Not all admitted students will have them.
Is work experience required for my application?
No, work experience is not required. However, we value some types of work experience highly, particularly if the experience is close to the type of work our graduates perform. We also value summer internships and undergraduate research experiences.
Is scholarship funding available?
Students are encouraged to apply for scholarships from outside organizations. For example, US citizens may be eligible for the the CMU Rales Fellowship or the SMART Scholarship for Service Program. The ACSA (Applied Computer Security Associates) offers scholarships for women studying information security.
Can I continue to the Ph.D. degree after graduating from the Privacy Engineering program?
While the MPE is a professional master's program designed to launch careers in industry and government, many of our graduates have successfully continued to doctoral studies. The rigorous technical training and research opportunities in our program provide excellent preparation for PhD work.
Pathways to doctoral programs:
- Your MPE coursework and GPA demonstrate graduate-level academic capability
- Capstone and research projects can evolve into PhD research interests
- Faculty connections and recommendations carry significant weight
- The technical depth of our program aligns well with many PhD fields
Related PhD programs at CMU include:
- Societal Computing
- Engineering and Public Policy
- Human Computer Interaction
- Computer Science
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Public Policy and Management
We encourage students interested in research to engage with faculty early, pursue research-oriented projects, and explore PhD options during their time in the program.
Can I take courses in other parts of CMU (Heinz School of Public Policy, Tepper School of Business, etc.)?
Yes, a number of courses in other parts of the university are available to Privacy Engineering students as general electives.
Do we have a comprehensive exam or graduation exam?
There are no comprehensive exams in the Privacy Engineering program. The student integrates their academic experience with practical application via the capstone project.