Transforming Africa
Carnegie Mellon University Africa is the only U.S. research university offering master’s degrees with full-time faculty, staff, and operations based in Africa. The university is tackling the critical shortage of high-quality engineering talent required to accelerate development in Africa, which has the fastest-growing workforce in the world. The full-time graduate programs are designed to educate future leaders, who will use their hands-on, experiential learning to advance technology innovation and grow businesses that will transform Africa.
CMU-Africa’s mission is to produce creative and technically strong engineers who have been trained in the African context and are prepared to make a transformative impact in their communities and the world. Applicants must, therefore, be passionate about solving problems on the continent using the education and skills acquired at CMU-Africa.
Master’s degree programs
- Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MS ECE)
The Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering is a 10-16 month program that covers a broad and diverse set of areas and permeates nearly all areas of application of importance in society today. ECE research topics range from nanotechnology to large-scale systems and impact areas such as communications, computing and networking, energy and cyber-physical systems, biotechnology, robotics, computer vision, information storage and security, data analytics, distributed systems, and privacy. - Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT)
The Master of Science in Information Technology is a 16-20 month program that includes technology, business, and innovation, preparing the next generation of ICT leaders in Africa. This program is for students interested in an interdisciplinary curriculum that covers critical topics in data science, cybersecurity, software engineering, and networks, among others. On average, a student spends over 900 hours interfacing with industry and gaining practical experience while completing their degree. - Master of Science in Engineering Artificial Intelligence (MS EAI)
The Master of Science in Engineering Artificial Intelligence is a 16-20 month program that opens the door to advanced skills that enable engineers to design powerful solutions to today’s challenges. The MS EAI degree intersects with specific engineering disciplines but, more importantly, cuts across essential problems in areas such as transportation, building systems, manufacturing, energy, agriculture, security, health, and climate.
Bridge program
CMU-Africa offers a free six-week intensive graduate study preparation program for undergraduate students in their final year of study. The bridge program is designed for promising and motivated students interested in studying one or more of the following areas: electrical and computer engineering, information technology, telecommunications, networking, big data, artificial intelligence, or software engineering at a master’s degree level.
Networks and centers
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
CMU-Africa is part of a global network of 33 Scholars Program partners, comprised of institutions committed to developing Africa’s young leaders. The program provides generous financial, social, and academic support for students whose talent and promise exceed their financial resources. With a vision that education is a catalyst for social and economic change, the program focuses on developing transformative leaders, encouraging them to be active contributors in their communities.
Learn more about the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Student life
Life at CMU-Africa is driven by the interests of students. Students take ownership of their own experience through a number of initiatives on campus, such as Toastmasters, Data Science Club, or the Facebook Developer Circle. Students can also practice entrepreneurship skills and start their own initiatives.