Plan of Study
The Privacy Engineering and AI Governance program is now available as two distinct degrees, Privacy Engineering and AI Governance, with an option to include an internship, and Privacy Technology and AI Governance program, with options for full-time or part-time, fully remote study. The course requirements for both degrees are the same. A key difference between the two degree offerings is that Privacy Technology and AI Governance students do not have a Capstone requirement.
Master of Science in Privacy Engineering & AI Governance
This full-time master's program is offered at Carnegie Mellon University's Pittsburgh campus. Students enrolling in the full-time program can opt between two tracks:
- 12-months (Privacy Engineering and AI Governance, 162 units)
- 16-months (Privacy Engineering and AI Governance - Applied Study, 168 units)
Students enrolled in the 12-month track will typically begin in the fall semester, complete the program at the end of the following summer and will graduate in August. Students enrolled in the 16-month track will typically begin in the fall semester and will complete the program at the end of the following fall (December) to allow for a summer internship. For details about program requirements, please see the Privacy Engineering Handbook.
Master of Science in Privacy Technology and AI Governance
The M.S. in Privacy Technology and AI Governance program has been designed with the objective of being able to accommodate students who are currently employed and who do not want to leave their current job. There are two options
- Full-time - complete the degree program in two semesters (9 months)
- Part-time - complete the degree fully remotely (2-3 years)
The part-time option gives students remote access to the exact same classes as full-time students. All lectures are livestreamed via Zoom and recorded, giving students the flexibility of attending live courses or watching lectures at their own convenience.Part-time students benefit from additional support in the form of evening recitations and office hours scheduled to simultaneously accommodate both West Coast and East Coast students.
New in 2026! M.S. in Privacy Engineering and AI Governance
12 Month Sample Schedule →
162 total units
All courses listed by course number and title are required core courses for the program. Elective requirements are listed by number of units required. Unit counts for each course are noted in parentheses.
Fall Semester
45-63 total units
- 17-702 Current Topics in Privacy Seminar (3)
- 17-662 Law of Computer Technology (6)
- 17-631 Information Security, Privacy and Policy (12)
- 17-733 Privacy Policy, Law and Technology (12)
- 17-731 Foundations of Privacy (12)
- 12 units General Elective (optional)
Spring Semester
57-63 total units
- 17-702 Current Topics in Privacy Seminar (3)
- 17-716 Responsible AI and AI Governance (12)
- 17-734 Usable Privacy and Security (12)
- 17-735 Engineering Privacy in Software (12)
- 12 or 18 units General Electives
Summer Semester
48-60 total units
- 17-606 Privacy-by-design Workshop (6)
- 17-607 Privacy-by-design Practicum (42)
- Additional Elective (optional)
16 Month Sample Schedule →
168 total units
All courses listed by course number and title are required core courses for the program. Elective requirements are listed by number of units required. Unit counts for each course are noted in parentheses.
Fall Semester
45-63 total units
- 17-702 Current Topics in Privacy Seminar (3)
- 17-662 Law of Computer Technology (6)
- 17-631 Information Security, Privacy and Policy (12)
- 17-733 Privacy Policy, Law and Technology (12)
- 17-731 Foundations of Privacy (12)
- 12 units General Elective (optional)
Spring Semester
57-63 total units
- 17-702 Current Topics in Privacy Seminar (3)
- 17-716 Responsible AI and AI Governance (12)
- 17-734 Usable Privacy and Security (12)
- 17-735 Engineering Privacy in Software (12)
- 12 or 18 units General Electives
Summer Semester
3 non-tuition bearing units total
- 17-609 Internship for Privacy Engineering (3)
Fall Semester
51-63 total units
- 17-606 Privacy-by-design Workshop (6)
- 17-607 Privacy-by-design Practicum (42)
- 17-702 Current Topics in Privacy Seminar (3)
- Additional Elective (optional)
M.S. in Privacy Engineering
12 Month Sample Schedule →
162 total units
All courses listed by course number and title are required core courses for the program. Elective requirements are listed by number of units required. Unit counts for each course are noted in parentheses.
Fall Semester
45-63 total units
- 17-702 Current Topics in Privacy Seminar (3)
- 17-662 Law of Computer Technology (6)
- 17-631 Information Security, Privacy and Policy (12)
- 17-733 Privacy Policy, Law and Technology (12)
- 17-731 Foundations of Privacy (12)
- 12 units General Elective (optional)
Spring Semester
57-63 total units
- 17-702 Current Topics in Privacy Seminar (3)
- 17-734 Usable Privacy and Security (12)
- 17-735 Engineering Privacy in Software (12)
- 12 or 18 units General Electives
- 12 units Technical Electives
Summer Semester
48-60 total units
- 17-606 Privacy-by-design Workshop (6)
- 17-607 Privacy-by-design Practicum (42)
- Additional Elective (optional)
16 Month Sample Schedule →
168 total units
All courses listed by course number and title are required core courses for the program. Elective requirements are listed by number of units required. Unit counts for each course are noted in parentheses.
Fall Semester
45-63 total units
- 17-702 Current Topics in Privacy Seminar (3)
- 17-662 Law of Computer Technology (6) OR
17-762 Law of Computer Technology (12) - 17-631 Information Security, Privacy and Policy (12)
- 17-733 Privacy Policy, Law and Technology (12)
- 17-731 Foundations of Privacy (12)
- 12 units General Elective (optional)
Spring Semester
57-63 total units
- 17-702 Current Topics in Privacy Seminar (3)
- 17-734 Usable Privacy and Security (12)
- 17-735 Engineering Privacy in Software (12)
- 12 or 18 units General Electives
- 12 units Technical Electives
Summer Semester
3 non-tuition bearing units total
- 17-609 Internship for Privacy Engineering (3)
Fall Semester
51-63 total units
- 17-606 Privacy-by-design Workshop (6)
- 17-607 Privacy-by-design Practicum (42)
- 17-702 Current Topics in Privacy Seminar (3)
- Additional Elective (optional)
New in 2026! Privacy Technology and AI Governance
Full-time, 9-month Sample Schedule →
93 total units
All courses listed by course number and title are required core courses for the program. Elective requirements are listed by number of units required. Unit counts for each course are noted in parentheses.
Fall Semester
45 total units
- 17-702 Current Topics in Privacy Seminar (3)
- 17-662 Law of Computer Technology (6)
- 17-631 Information Security, Privacy and Policy (12)
- 17-733 Privacy Policy, Law and Technology (12)
- 17-731 Foundations of Privacy (12)
Spring Semester
48 total units
- 17-702 Current Topics in Privacy Seminar (3)
- 17-716 Responsible AI and AI Governance (12)
- 17-734 Usable Privacy and Security (12)
- 17-735 Engineering Privacy in Software (12)
- 9 units General Electives
Part-time, 3-year Sample Schedule →
93 total units
All courses listed by course number and title are required core courses for the program. Elective requirements are listed by number of units required. Unit counts for each course are noted in parentheses.
The 3-year sample schedule is a guideline for how to structure your schedule throughout your time in the program. There is flexibility to adjust the sequencing of courses to your specific needs in consultation with your advisor. Please note that courses listed in the Fall and Spring are only offered in those semesters.
Year 1 - Fall Semester
- 17-662 Law of Computer Technology (6)
Year 1 - Spring Semester
- 17-734 Usable Privacy and Security (12)
- 17-702 Current Topics in Privacy Seminar (3)
Year 1 - Summer Semester
- 6 units electives
Year 2 - Fall Semester
- 17-702 Current Topics in Privacy Seminar (3)
- 17-631 Information Security, Privacy and Policy (12)
Year 2 - Spring Semester
- 17-716 Responsible AI and AI Governance (12)
- 17-735 Engineering Privacy in Software (12)
Year 3 - Fall Semester
- 17-733 Privacy Policy, Law and Technology (12)
- 17-731 Foundations of Privacy (12)
Year 3 - Spring Semester
- 17-702 Current Topics in Privacy Seminar (3 - as elective units)
Privacy Technology and Policy (part-time)
The sample schedules below are guidelines for how to structure your schedule throughout your time in the program. A plan for completion in 2-year and 3-year timelines are listed.
There is flexibility to adjust the sequencing of courses to your specific needs in consultation with your advisor. Please note that courses listed in the Fall and Spring are only offered in those semesters.
All courses listed by course number and title are required core courses for the program. Elective requirements are listed by number of units required. Unit counts for each course are noted in parentheses.