Spring 2026 Exchange Students

Accept the offer of admission - Exchange Students Only

The deadline to accept the offer of admission is found within your online Admission Letter.

• Login to your online portal account and view your Decision Letter.
• After viewing your online letter, complete your Admission Response Form located on your application status page (near the bottom).
• Please review your offer letter to identify the date when your pre-determined course schedule will be emailed to you.

• Exchange students will be registered for their courses by the Pittsburgh-based Office of Academic & Advising Services.

• Once your pre-determined course schedule is received, you will need to reply to your Exchange Advisor APPROVING the courseload. (You should approve under the assumption that if the schedule does not change, you will be happy with the courses assigned.)
  
  • Changes to the schedule will not be considered until you arrive in Pittsburgh and have met with your Heinz College-Pittsburgh exchange academic advisor. **Full-time Pittsburgh-based students will receive waitlist priority over Exchange Students**

Carnegie Mellon University holds two (2) separate and required Orientation Sessions. Each session will cover different material, and all will be useful to you as you acclimate yourself to our campus and city.  

Orientation #1 – Office of International Education - International Student WELCOME AND IMMIGRATION CHECK-IN

International Students are required to participate in the International Student Check-In presented by the Office of International Education. Failure to complete check-in will result in you falling out of your visa status.

OIE will host a Welcome Session and Mandatory Immigration Check-In for students on the Friday prior to classes starting. Full details (including dates) and instructions for these sessions will be communicated directly to you by OIE via email, within your Visa documents, and at https://www.cmu.edu/oie/community-connections/orientation/index.html.

International students studying on CMU's Pittsburgh campus: Participation in the immigration check-in is mandatory.

Orientation #2 – MANDATORY Heinz College Orientation

Date: Friday, January 9, 2026

A detailed schedule will be shared (via email) closer to the start of the semester

If you are an international exchange student required to attain a student visa, you will need to complete this step. (Please refer to the Office of International Education’s website if you are unsure if you are required to attain a student visa: http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/oie/forstu/coming.html)

Laws regarding international students studying in the U.S. change frequently. It is important that you review the U.S. immigration laws that affect your country.

Forms and information needed to process the DS-2019 or I-20 document:

Send all required documents (Listed 1-4 below) to the Office of International Education (OIE) in order to begin the DS-2019 or I-20 document processing. Please ensure you include each of the following documents:

1. Exchange Student Information Form (download below)
2. Exchange Student Affidavit of Support for Financial Sponsor Form(s) (download below)
3. Copy of original and sufficient supporting financial documents
4. Copy of your passport identification page(s)
   
   

Download your form:

• 2025-2026 International Exchange Student Information Form:  Download

It will take 4-6 weeks to process these materials once they are received. Keep this timing in mind as you begin to make your visa appointment and travel plans.

For assistance in completing these forms, the Office of International Education's Frequently Asked Questions document is very helpful.

SEND your DOCUMENTS to:

Willesha Miller: Heinz Admissions (willeshm@andrew.cmu.edu)

• IMPORTANT: We accept all Exchange Student Information Forms and Exchange Student Affidavit of Support Forms/documentation electronically. You may scan and email these forms to OIE's Study Abroad Office. Please do retain all original forms and documents for immigration purposes.

I-20/DS-2019 documents are sent to students electronically 4-6 weeks after we receive all necessary documents from the student. Delivery times to the student will vary. Visa processing times vary in each country.

Actual student expenses vary. Please select your program below for more information on your estimated cost of attendance: 

• Master of Science in Public Policy and Management (MSPPM)
• Master of Arts Management (MAM)
• Master of Information Systems Management (MISM)
• Master of Science in Information Security Policy & Management (MSISPM)

Classes begin - Monday, January 12, 2026

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No Classes) - Monday, January 19, 2026

Spring Break (No Classes) - Monday, March 2, 2026 - Friday, March 6, 2026

Spring Carnival (No Classes): Wednesday, April 9, 2026 - Friday, April 11, 2026

Last day of standard classes before exams: Friday, April 24, 2026

Final Exam Week: April 27 - May 5, 2026

Heinz College Academic Calendar

You will receive an email entitled “Action Required: Your Andrew userID Has Been Created” from it-help@cmu.edu. The email will provide instructions on how to receive your Andrew userID, set a password, and enroll in two-factor authentication (2fa) with DUO, Carnegie Mellon’s multi-factor authentication service provider.  Please be sure to check your spam folder, in the event the email does not appear in your inbox.

Expect this email 1-2 weeks after you accept the offer of admission. (You must accept the offer through your online admission letter. See checklist item #1 above) 

If you misplace or do not receive this email, please email it-help@andrew.cmu.edu.

Your "Andrew ID" is REQUIRED in order to login to university services such as SIO, Canvas, and HealthConnect.

All students are required to obtain U.S.-based Health Insurance Coverage that meets Carnegie Mellon University's minimum requirements. We recommend that students wait until they have arrived in Pittsburgh to purchase the required Health Insurance. Students have the option to purchase the Carnegie Mellon University Health Insurance or purchase a different U.S.-based Health Insurance plan that meets the University's minimum requirements.

Have Questions? Staff members from the University Student Health Insurance office can answer your questions at shinsure@andrew.cmu.edu.

All students are required to have record of university requested immunizations are part of their enrollment in the exchange program.

Students must complete the online immunization and tuberculosis (TB) screening forms, as well as upload immunization records with dates from their healthcare providers. If immunization records are in a language other than English, please translate the date of each vaccine dose into English before uploading.

IT is strongly recommended that you take care of all required immunizations prior to your arrival on campus. You may access HealthConnect on the University Health Services website to submit your immunization records. Failure to comply with immunizations and health requirements can have serious consequences; such as the inability to continue registering for classes.

For more information, visit the University Health Services website, or email Health Services directly: health@andrew.cmu.edu.

Complete the online Health History Form. Log in to the HealthConnect Portal by clicking the link on this page http://www.cmu.edu/health-services/healthconnect/index.html

*You will login to this system using your Andrew ID and password.

Please submit your preferred photo through the Photo ID submission page no later than December 15, 2025. This is the photo that will be printed on your University Identification Card (CMU ID+ Card) and posted on the Photo Directory of students. Submit your photo here: http://www.cmu.edu/idplus/idcards/idphotos.html

*You will login to this system using your Andrew ID and password. (see previous checklist item)

ID's will be available for pickup in early January (1101 Hamburg Hall - Office of Admissions Suite) and at the In-Person Heinz Orientation (January 9, 2026).

Please begin checking your CMU University email account daily -or- set-up email forwarding to an email account you do check daily. You can login to your CMU University email account here: https://email.cmu.edu

*You will login to this system using your Andrew ID and password. (see previous checklist item)

Questions?  Email Carnegie Mellon Computing Services at it-help@cmu.edu

The following steps should have been followed to determine your plan of study (schedule of classes) while at the Heinz College

1. Complete your proposed plan of study:  Most applicants complete their "Plan of Study" and include it with their application to the program. This includes the classes the student is interested in taking during their semester at Heinz College. You must include at least 36 units of coursework in your plan of study.  It is strongly urged that you do not propose taking classes that are required for graduation during your exchange semester. Please expect to take classes that will be considered elective classes only within your home program of study. This is important because your coursework and course schedule is not final until the first week of classes.
   • The Heinz College Class Schedule for classes is available at this link: Go to Schedule
   • Please do not choose classes noted as Section K, L, W, Z because they are NOT available at the Pittsburgh Campus. Also, if the section letter is followed by a number, the class meets for only half of the semester. Sections followed by the number 1 or 3 meet during the first 8 weeks of the semester. Sections followed by the number 2 or 4 meet in the second 8 weeks of the semester.
   • The Heinz College Course Catalog includes class descriptions that may be helpful: Go to Course Catalog
      
2. The Heinz Exchange Program Advisor will determine your course schedule prior to the start of the semester. Courses will be determined based on your course interest form, seats remaining within a particular course, priority waitlist, and if the course is an elective or a requirement course for our graduating students.
   • Once your schedule has been determined, you will be enrolled in the classes by the Heinz College. You are not responsible for registering for your courses. No changes to your schedule will be made until your arrival to Pittsburgh, after meeting with your exchange academic advisor.
      
3. Heinz Exchange Advisors
   • MAM program: Jessica Bowser Acrie, Program Director, jabowser@cmu.edu
   • MSPPM program: Jessi Znosko, Academic Advisor School of Public Policy and Management,  jznosko@andrew.cmu.edu
   • MISM program: Allie Andrews, Academic Advisor, Information Systems and Management alliea@andrew.cmu.edu
   • MSISPM program: Randy Trzeciak, Program Director, randallt@andrew.cmu.edu

Your courses (your agreed to Plan of Study) will be added to your online student account (SIO) by the Heinz College administrators by mid-December. You may find that you have been enrolled in many or all of the courses from your plan of study, but more likely you will find that you are on the Waitlist for all courses. Please expect to be on the waitlist for all or some courses as late as the first week of class.

You will discuss your course schedule with your Heinz Advisor after arriving in Pittsburgh.

Login to SIO here: https://s3.andrew.cmu.edu/sio

*You will login to this system using your Andrew ID and password. (see previous checklist item)

Exchange students are NOT eligible to apply for the USA post study work visa (F1/OPT) after attending an exchange semester in Pittsburgh.

• Employment off campus during or after your term on exchange as an F-1/J-1 visa student is not possible.

F-1/J-1 students are permitted to work on-campus for Carnegie Mellon up to 20 hours/week while enrolled as a full-time, degree seeking student.

Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College will not support nor sponsor Academic Training for exchange student's who do not have an internship requirement as part of their home university's degree program.

Most Heinz students rent an apartment near campus. Finding housing for a 6 month period can take time as many properties in the Pittsburgh area require a standard 1 year lease, and locating affordable furnished housing will also take time.

We surveyed recent students and they offer their suggestions to you:

• Be sure to start your housing search early!  If you wait until arriving to Pittsburgh, you will have less time to enjoy your new environment before starting classes, and will often times feel stressed.

• Contact your home institution to connect with students that have already completed an exchange program at the Heinz College. They are more than happy to share their experiences, helpful hints and contacts. Previous exchange students are a wonderful, and often your best resource for housing information.

• Explore the full Heinz College Housing Survey.

• Remain diligent and hopeful during your search for housing.  We are certain that  you will find housing that suits you during your time in Pittsburgh.

• For information on housing prices, neighborhoods to live, etc, please visit CMU's Graduate Student Association (GSA) Housing Handbook page.

• One of our local university partners, the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary does have housing available from time to time for our exchange students. We encourage you to view their housing website and complete a housing application if you would like to live in one of their housing options.

Carnegie Mellon University does not offer on-campus housing options for Master's Level Students, and there are fewer options for those who stay for only one semester.  You may want to consider subletting an apartment as a short-term leasing opportunity. There are great opportunities for you to sublet a current Heinz student apartment who will be graduating in December and moving to another city. Current students post sublet opportunities on the Heinz College Housing Facebook page.

Global Pittsburgh, a regional collaborative initiative, hosts a website intended to introduce you to the international character of the Pittsburgh region.

The Office of International Education has extensive information on their website to help you complete the enrollment process at Carnegie Mellon, such as:

• How to receive the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) document.
• Health Insurance
• International Student Orientation
• Getting to Carnegie Mellon
• Tax Obligations for International Students
• Housing Resources

The OIE's Settling in Guide contains information about:

• International Communities in Pittsburgh
• Events Calendar
• News of interest to people moving to Pittsburgh
• Where to send packages (if shipping before you arrive)

Carnegie Mellon University is committed to helping students maximize their learning in all of their courses during their degree program. 

Students with physical, sensory, cognitive, or emotional disabilities are encouraged to self-identify with the Office of Disability Resources and request needed accommodations.

Students may submit an application for accommodations as soon as they receive their Andrew ID and password (see below). For your convenience, the Office of Disability Resources' staff are happy to meet with students by phone to discuss setting up accommodations prior to your arrival on campus.

Obtain accommodations prior to the start of the program by following the steps outlined on this site.

For more information and to begin the application process, please visit the Disability Resources website.

Please contact Salima Clark salimac@andrew.cmu.edu should you have any questions or concerns.

If you feel your disability will inhibit your ability to participate in any Heinz College Orientation activities, please contact the Heinz Admissions Office at 412-268-2164 or hnzadmit@andrew.cmu.edu.

Please review the Heinz computing documentation and required videos. Many software downloads are also available through the jumpstart guide.

Write down any questions and bring them with you to the Heinz Computing Orientation session. New Student Guide