Multidisciplinary programs

Our interdisciplinary approach to education and research in the College of Engineering and throughout Carnegie Mellon enables a variety of graduate degrees that span traditional departments. Our multidisciplinary programs include the following offerings.

Architecture - Engineering - Construction Management (AEC)

A joint master’s degree between Civil & Environmental Engineering and the School of Architecture, the Architecture - Engineering - Construction Management (AEC) program is designed to prepare building delivery professionals for leadership roles with an impact on economic, environmental, and ethical concerns.

Energy Science, Technology, and Policy (EST&P)

The Energy Science, Technology, and Policy (EST&P) program offers two interdisciplinary professional M.S. degree options for students who seek a distinctive engineering degree that will position graduates to develop creative and sustainable solutions to solve world-wide energy science and technology problems from harvesting and conversion of energy to distribution, demand, and usage, with attention to policy and economics. Both degrees can be customized to align with your personal and professional goals. The curriculum includes coursework in the Energy Core, breadth electives, and energy-related courses determined by your selected disciplinary concentration in Chemical Engineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering & Public Policy, Materials Science & Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering. As an EST&P graduate, you will be prepared to pursue a position of responsibility and leadership in one of the many energy-related markets including: traditional utility companies and energy suppliers, alternative and renewable energy companies, power generation and distribution equipment companies, energy intensive manufacturing and operating companies, consulting companies, NGOs, non-profits, government, and academic institutions.

The EST&P degree is completed in two full-time semesters. The EST&P-AS degree is completed in three full-time semesters which requires additional units of master’s project coursework. EST&P-AS provides the opportunity for professional activity experiences including supervised project work or internships. 

Engineering & Technology Innovation Management (ETIM)

The Engineering & Technology Innovation Management (ETIM) master’s program develops next-generation innovation leaders who have technology backgrounds, such as engineers and scientists. Data science, strategic portfolio innovation management, and basic business fundamentals are core areas emphasized in the curriculum.  Skills involving quantitative and qualitative analysis will help you learn to create and capture value from innovative technologies. Moreover, we also incorporate capstone projects into the coursework, where we identify company sponsors with real-world problems, and then form student teams to bring forward potential solutions. The ETIM curriculum provides the foundation to recognize, assess and leverage the innovation ecosystems that businesses operate within today. The career tracks include product management, consulting, analytics, entrepreneurship, and R&D/technology management. ETIM is a 12-month program that starts in January and finishes in December, inclusive of a required summer internship.

Howard University Dual-Degree Ph.D. Program

Carnegie Mellon’s College of Engineering and the College of Engineering and Architecture of Howard University offer a dual Ph.D. program that awards a Ph.D. degree from both universities. Students must be admitted to engineering Ph.D. programs at both institutions, although they are not required to be from the same department at each university. Students will spend at least three academic semesters in each location and have an advisor from each program. They may transfer courses between the programs and will submit and defend a single dissertation. Students will have access to a greater number of courses, a larger set of research facilities, and a wider research community located in two major metropolitan areas (Pittsburgh, PA and Washington DC).

Information Networking Institute (INI)

The Information Networking Institute INI at Carnegie Mellon University educates and develops engineers through technical, interdisciplinary master’s degree programs in information networking, security, and mobile and IoT engineering that incorporate business and policy perspectives.

Integrated Innovation Institute

The Integrated Innovation Institute is a joint initiative of the College of Engineering, College of Fine Arts (CFA) and Tepper School of Business. The Institute currently offers three multidisciplinary graduate degree programs across its locations in Pittsburgh and Silicon Valley: Master of Integrated Innovation for Products & Services and Master of Science in Software Management.

Integrated master’s/bachelor’s program (IMB)

The Integrated Master's/Bachelor's program (otherwise known as the IMB program) allows students who excel academically to achieve both a bachelor's and master’s degree in any of the major programs without needing to apply separately. The primary purpose of the IMB program is to provide students with superior breadth and depth in technical material, which will better prepare them for careers in industry. Experience has shown that students complete the IMB program in eight to ten full academic semesters after enrolling at CMU.

Learn more about the IMB in specific departments: 

MBA and Engineering Integrated 5-year Program

This dual-degree program, offered by the College of Engineering and Tepper School of Business, allows students the chance to combine an engineering degree with an MBA. Engineering students incorporate business classes into their schedule, as part of the college's general education requirements. By adding a fifth year to the normal college schedule, qualified students will graduate with a dual degree. For more information, please visit the MBA-Engineering Integrated 5-Year Program web site.

For questions about our multidisciplinary programs, please contact the Office of Faculty and Graduate Affairs at gradengineering@cmu.edu.