CSSE Distance Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Certificate in Software Engineering (CSE) program typically program hold undergraduate degrees in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or physics. Programming experience is essential. A minimum of 6 months of industrial experience is required, preferably working as a member of a team on a significant software development project.

To enter the Carnegie Mellon program you must have:

1. Knowledge, at least at the level of an undergraduate course, of discrete mathematics, algorithms and data structures and programming languages
2. Skills in programming-in-the-small, as well as competence in using an imperative block-structured or object-oriented languages such as Java, C++, Pascal, Modula2, Ada or C
3. Practical knowledge of programming methods and computer organization
4. An undergraduate degree in Computer Science or other scientific or technical discipline
5. In-depth knowledge of at least two of the following topics:
   • Comparative Programming Languages
   • Compiling Techniques
   • Operating Systems
   • Database Systems
6. Application materials for the Certificate program are as follows:
   • a completed application form
   • a 2-page statement of purpose (SOP)
   • a current resume
   • a 1-page description of project experience
   • an unofficial undergraduate and/or graduate transcript(s)
   • official TOEFL (or equivalent) exam score for all international applicants/non-U.S. citizens. Scores are to be reported informally on the application, with official scores sent directly to the MSE (code: 4256).
   • application fee.

Please see Prerequisite Knowledge for more detail about the required background in these areas.

The Cornell-Carnegie Mellon joint Certificate in Systems and Software Engineering is an integrated, graduate certificate program designed for engineers who want a comprehensive understanding of how systems and software engineering work together to create optimized, complex systems. Applicants are admitted to both Carnegie Mellon and Cornell. The Certificate can be earned over a five semester period, or more quickly if desired. Credits earned in the Certificate Program can be transferred into a degree program at either university and applied toward degree completion requirements, subject to the university's policy on transfer credit.

To enter the Carnegie Mellon program you must have:

1. Applicants to the Certificate in Systems and Software Engineering should have:
   • academic or significant work experience in a technical discipline, preferably with an understnading of both systems and software engineering;
   • a background in engineering / computer science or a related field;
   • experience working in teams and on team projects.