Requirements for the Ph.D. in Machine Learning
Students enrolled in the Machine Learning Ph.D. program must fulfill the requirements outlined below to earn their degree.
- Complete the courses:
Students joining Fall 2025, complete the new course requirements
Students joining prior to Fall 2025, complete the previous course requirements - Master the proficiencies necessary for teaching and speaking skills.
- 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 the fall of the second year, Ph.D. students must give a a successful 20 minute talk in the Speaking Skills course (10-905).
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).