Frequently Asked Questions

Heinz College? Like the Ketchup?

Originally called the School of Urban and Public Affairs, or SUPA, we were renamed the H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management in 1992.  Pennsylvania Senator H. John Heinz III (heir to the H. J. Heinz Company- yes, the ketchup company- founded right here in Pittsburgh) was an inspiring public servant who sought sensible, bipartisan solutions to problems that affected Americans most in need. He was a member of the SUPA advisory board and an instructor here at Carnegie Mellon, and he was instrumental in CMU’s acquisition of Hamburg Hall—formerly the Bureau of Mines, now the home of Heinz College—from the federal government.

Senator Heinz was tragically killed in an aviation accident in 1991. To honor his contributions to both CMU and SUPA, and to carry forward his legacy of committed public service and thoughtful problem-solving, SUPA was renamed the H. John Heinz III School (in 1992) and now Heinz College (in 2008). 

 

Why Public Policy and Information Systems?

Heinz College emerged from a vision to educate leaders capable of addressing complex public affairs problems. Its roots in public policy education under the leadership of Dean William W. Cooper were grounded in a systems analytic approach, integrating social and decision sciences, operations research, and engineering. The school's expansion over the years, with programs such as the Master of Public Management and our Master of Information Systems Management, reflects its commitment to fostering leaders equipped to tackle diverse challenges.

After the school’s renaming in 1992, the intersection of technology and public policy prompted further evolution, leading to the establishment of the Master of Information Systems Management program in 1996. The school's emphasis on technology, data, creativity, and leadership earned it the #1 ranking for Information and Technology Management from U.S. News and World Report in 2001, and it became the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy in 2008.

 

Do you offer part-time programs?

For working professionals with at least 3 years of work experience, we offer two part time programs: Master of Public Management and a Master of Science in Information Technology. These programs feature evening classes and remote learning options for increased flexibility.

 

How do I apply to Heinz College?

Applications must be submitted through Heinz College’s online system. You can save your application and work on it at your convenience.  Heinz College only accepts applications via its online system.

 

Can I apply for either the spring or fall admission?

Full-time students (master’s and Ph.D) at Heinz College must matriculate in the Fall semester. 

If you are interested in a degree program with additional starts throughout the year we encourage you to look at our Master of Public Management or Master of Science in Information Technology programs, both of which are part-time programs (both require 3+ years’ of prior full-time work experience).

 

What is the application fee? Is it possible to get an application fee waiver?

Heinz College does not charge an application fee. 

 

Can I defer my admission?

We strongly encourage applicants to apply for entry for the year (for full-time) or semester (for part-time) in which they intend to enroll. Deferrals are not common and are considered on a case-by-case basis for one academic year only. Typically, deferrals are granted for military/volunteer public service or opportunities with one of our partner organizations.

 

Are any of your programs eligible for STEM extension?

Master of Information Systems Management, Master of Information Systems Management-Business Intelligence and Data Analytics, Master of Science in Information Security Policy Management, Master of Science in Health Care Analytics and IT, and Master of Science in Public Policy and Management - Data Analytics (DA) graduates are all eligible for the STEM extension of their OPT. 

Master of Arts Management, Master of Entertainment Industry Management, Master of Public Management, Master of Medical Management, Master of Science Information Technology (Online), and the non-DA tracks in Master of Science Public Policy and Management are NOT eligible for the STEM extension.

 

How does the administration/student body make space for people of color, women, and other underrepresented groups?

Diversity, inclusion, and equity are founding principles of Heinz College. Our commitment to these ideals can be seen in all facets of the student experience—from the classroom experience and extracurricular activities, to the groundbreaking work of our faculty and research centers, to the real-world impact of our alumni.

On our Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) page, you can learn more about our initiatives to increase diversity and accessibility to our programs, including the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institute and many other partnerships. We are also very proud of our student-led initiatives on campus, including the Council for Diversity, Richness, and Inclusion (CDRI) and their Diversity in Policy Mentorship Program.

Do any of your programs require a master’s thesis?

In lieu of a master’s thesis, Heinz College’s full-time master’s students complete a team-based “Capstone Project”, working in close collaboration with a real-world client. These projects fulfill an actual operational need for our partners, giving students an opportunity to have a measurable impact while still in school.

  

 What is a unit?

At Carnegie Mellon University, courses are counted in units instead of credits. A 12-unit course is roughly equivalent to a 4-credit-hour course at many of our peer institutions. Virtually all courses in Heinz College are 12 or 6 units. A semester-long course is 12 units (averaging 12 hours per week of work for the student to be successful in the class), while a half-semester class (called a mini) is 6 units (still averaging 12 hours per week of work, but for only half the semester, leading to the student earning half the units compared to a full semester course).

 

What is a mini?

Mini courses are offered for half of a semester and are typically 6 units each. The first mini course in a semester starts on the first day of classes and ends at mid-semester. The second mini course starts at mid-semester and ends on the last day of classes.

Our academic year is broken up into 4 minis (2 minis each semester). Minis 1 and 2 make up the Fall semester, Minis 3 and 4 make up the Spring semester. And for students who take classes over the summer, we have Minis 5 and 6. 

 

Do you accept transfer credits?

We do not accept transfer credits from institutions outside of Carnegie Mellon University toward any of our full-time degree programs (see below for part-time programs).  

Students enrolling in Heinz College’s full-time master’s programs who have completed graduate-level coursework in another program or department at Carnegie Mellon will have transfer credit evaluated on a case-by-case basis only after admission is granted.  Students enrolled in degree programs at Carnegie Mellon University other than those offered by Heinz College must complete the entire application for admission.  

Students currently enrolled in any Heinz College degree program interested in transferring to another  degree within Heinz College should contact David Eber (deber@cmu.edu) for additional information.

For its full-time master’s programs, Heinz College offers exemption exams during new student onboarding (prior to their first semester as Heinz College students). For students who have completed previous coursework overlapping with the Heinz College curriculum, students are provided an opportunity to take an exam for a select number of core courses, with the possibility of being exempt from the required course or placed into a higher level course. Any courses exempted would be replaced with additional elective units.  

For our part-time Master of Public Management and Master of Science in Information Technology (Online) degree programs, enrolling students can request our faculty evaluate previous, relevant, graduate level coursework for possible transfer credit of up to 24 units (equal to 2 full-semester courses).  The number of transfer units credited towards the MPM or MSIT degree is determined after a student has accepted an offer of admission and met with their academic advisor.  The admissions office does not make determinations regarding transfer credits.