Students enrolled in the Machine Learning Ph.D. program must fulfill the requirements outlined below to earn their degree. 

1. Complete the required courses (six core courses and one elective).
2. Master the proficiencies necessary for teaching and presentation skills.
3. Successfully defend a Ph.D. thesis.

Teaching

Ph.D. students are required to serve as teaching assistants for two semesters in machine learning courses (10-xxx), beginning in their second year. This fulfills their teaching skills requirement.

Conference Presentation Skills

During their second or third year, Ph.D. students must give a talk of at least 30 minutes and invite members of the Speaking Skills committee to attend and evaluate it.

Research

All Ph.D. students are expected to engage in active research from their first semester. Moreover, adviser selection occurs within one month of entering the Ph.D. program, with the option to change at a later time. Roughly half of a student's time should be allocated to research and lab work, and half to courses until those are completed.

You may also earn a Master of Science in Machine Learning Research on the way to your Ph.D.

Other Requirements

Students must follow all university policies and procedures.

Rules for the MLD Ph.D. Thesis Committee
(applicable to all ML Ph.D. students)

The committee should be assembled by the student and their adviser, and approved by the Ph.D. Program Director(s). It must include:

• At least one MLD core faculty member.
• At least one additional MLD core or affiliated faculty member.
• At least one external member (usually meaning external to CMU).
• A total of at least four members, including the adviser (who is the committee chair).

View a sample schedule of courses and milestones.