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Taught by world-class faculty, the Information Networking Institute's (INI) rigorous technical curriculum incorporates business and policy perspectives. Through flexible, interdisciplinary curricula, INI students can customize their program experiences to help them realize their career aspirations. Beyond the rich academic experience, INI’s vibrant meta-curriculum offers distinct opportunities outside of the classroom to help tackle problems, pilot new ideas, and develop solutions for industry and government. INI has more than 2,500 alumni who have gone on to serve high-powered companies, tech start-ups, and government agencies, always returning to their home away from home at the INI to recruit, mentor, and inspire current students to follow their path to success.

Application periods

  • Spring 2025
    • Opens: July 1st, 2024
    • Priority deadline: August 1st, 2024
    • Final deadline: September 3rd, 2024
  • Fall 2025 
    • Opens: October 1st, 2024
    • Priority deadline: December 1st, 2024  
    • Final deadline: January 15th, 2025
students pose for a photo at CMU's Silicon Valley location

Master’s degree programs

  • Master of Science in Information Networking
    The Master of Science in Information Networking provides an advanced, specialized curriculum combining computer science, electrical and computer engineering, software engineering, and information systems, all while incorporating business and policy perspectives.
  • Master of Science in Information Security
    The Master of Science in Information Security program offers a technical focus on security and computer systems, further developed through research opportunities.
  • Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence Engineering - Information Security
    Students in the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence Engineering - Information Security program gain a deep understanding of AI methods, systems, tool chains, and cross-cutting issues, including security, privacy, and other ethical, societal, and policy challenges.
  • Master of Science in Mobile and IoT Engineering
    The bicoastal Master of Science in Mobile and IoT Engineering program enables its graduates to analyze historical and state-of-the-art mobile and IoT technologies relating to devices, networks, providers, data, and applications. They also apply mobile and embedded system skills and principles in order to design and develop products and services.
  • Master of Science in Information Technology - Information Security
    The bicoastal Master of Science in Information Technology - Information Security program equips students with the tools needed to evaluate trade-offs between technical security and privacy solutions and potential business and economic impacts. Graduates are capable of designing and implementing secure systems and services by applying knowledge and skills in information security and privacy.
  • Accelerated master’s programs for CMU Students
    Highly qualified Carnegie Mellon undergraduate students may be eligible to add a fifth year to their curriculum to earn a graduate degree in one of INI’s five master’s programs.

Concentrations, tracks, and certificates

Cyber defense concentration

Students in the Master of Science in Information Security program can pursue INI’s Cyber Defense Concentration. This program option is intended to provide MSIS students with a structured pathway to a focused set of skills highly relevant to cybersecurity careers.

Cyber forensics and incident response track

The Cyber Forensics and Incident Response Track is taught by instructors from Carnegie Mellon’s CERT Division and prepares students in information security and digital investigations through a skill-based curriculum using state-of-the-art software. This track is open to students in any of INI’s five master of science degree programs.

Cyber Operations Certificate

Cyber operations (Cyber Ops) is a specialization of information security that is in high demand within areas of the government and military, including the National Security Agency (NSA). This certification may be the right fit for you if you’re interested in working for similar organizations. You must be enrolled in the Master of Science in Information Security (MSIS) program to participate.

Student experience

Information Networking Institute graduate students join a global community of scholars who participate in an inspiring environment of diversity and collaboration. Active student organizations at the INI engage students with opportunities to enhance both their professional and technical skills.

INI Practicum: The Student Experience

News

Nov 4

News & Events

Astronaut alumnus runs experiments in zero-gravity scenarios

Kartik Chaudhari credits his degree from the Information Networking Institute for his success in becoming an astronaut in Canada.

The winningest team in DEF CON’s Capture-the-Flag (CTF) competition history, CMU’s Plaid Parliament of Pwning (PPP), won its third straight title, earning its record eighth win in the past 12 years.

CMU hacking team wins eighth DEF CON Capture-the-Flag title

Feb 28

News & Events

Presidential and graduate fellowships awarded

College of Engineering Dean Bill Sanders is pleased to congratulate the 46 graduate students who have been awarded fellowships for the 2023-24 academic year.