distance learning phd artificial intelligence

Machine Learning - CMU

Phd program in machine learning.

Carnegie Mellon University's doctoral program in Machine Learning is designed to train students to become tomorrow's leaders through a combination of interdisciplinary coursework, hands-on applications, and cutting-edge research. Graduates of the Ph.D. program in Machine Learning will be uniquely positioned to pioneer new developments in the field, and to be leaders in both industry and academia.

Understanding the most effective ways of using the vast amounts of data that are now being stored is a significant challenge to society, and therefore to science and technology, as it seeks to obtain a return on the huge investment that is being made in computerization and data collection. Advances in the development of automated techniques for data analysis and decision making requires interdisciplinary work in areas such as machine learning algorithms and foundations, statistics, complexity theory, optimization, data mining, etc.

The Ph.D. Program in Machine Learning is for students who are interested in research in Machine Learning.  For questions and concerns, please   contact us .

The PhD program is a full-time in-person committment and is not offered on-line or part-time.

PhD Requirements

Requirements for the phd in machine learning.

• Completion of required courses , (6 Core Courses + 1 Elective)
• Mastery of proficiencies in Teaching and Presentation skills.
• Successful defense of 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 at least 30 minutes long, and invite members of the Speaking Skills committee to attend and evaluate it.

Research It is expected that all Ph.D. students engage in active research from their first semester. Moreover, advisor selection occurs in the first 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 these are completed.

Master of Science in Machine Learning Research - along the way to your PhD Degree.

Other Requirements In addition, students must follow all university policies and procedures .

Rules for the MLD PhD Thesis Committee (applicable to all ML PhDs): The committee should be assembled by the student and their advisor, and approved by the PhD 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 advisor who is the committee chair

Financial Support

Application Information

For applicants applying in Fall 2024 for a start date of August 2025 in the Machine Learning PhD program, GRE Scores are OPTIONAL. The committee uses GRE scores to gauge quantitative skills, and to a lesser extent, also verbal skills.

Proof of English Language Proficiency If you will be studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa, and English is not a native language for you (native language…meaning spoken at home and from birth), we are required to formally evaluate your English proficiency. We require applicants who will be studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa, and for whom English is not a native language, to demonstrate English proficiency via one of these standardized tests: TOEFL (preferred), IELTS, or Duolingo.  We discourage the use of the "TOEFL ITP Plus for China," since speaking is not scored. We do not issue waivers for non-native speakers of English.   In particular, we do not issue waivers based on previous study at a U.S. high school, college, or university.  We also do not issue waivers based on previous study at an English-language high school, college, or university outside of the United States.  No amount of educational experience in English, regardless of which country it occurred in, will result in a test waiver.

Submit valid, recent scores:   If as described above you are required to submit proof of English proficiency, your TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo test scores will be considered valid as follows: If you have not received a bachelor’s degree in the U.S., you will need to submit an English proficiency score no older than two years. (scores from exams taken before Sept. 1, 2023, will not be accepted.) If you are currently working on or have received a bachelor's and/or a master's degree in the U.S., you may submit an expired test score up to five years old. (scores from exams taken before Sept. 1, 2019, will not be accepted.)

Graduate Online Application

• Admissions application opens September 4, 2024
• Early Application Deadline – November 20, 2024 (3:00 p.m. EST)
• Final Application Deadline - December 11, 2024 (3:00 p.m. EST)

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Artificial Intelligence

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Earn a doctorate degree in Artificial Intelligence, help lead innovation in a growing industry

The PhD in Artificial Intelligence is centered upon how computers operate to match the human decision making process in the brain. Your research will be led by AI experts with both research and industrial expertise. This emerging subject is starting to attract attention on the wider issues as the IOT and other advanced computer systems work in our lives.

This is a research based doctorate PhD degree where you will be assigned an academic supervisor almost immediately to guide you through your program and is based on mostly independent study through the entire program. It typically takes a minimum of two years but typically three years to complete if a student works closely with their assigned academic advisor. Under the guidance of your academic supervisor, you will conduct unique research in your chosen field before submitting a Thesis.

As your PhD progresses, you move through a series of progression points and review stages by your academic supervisor. This ensures that you are engaged in a process of research that will lead to the production of a high-quality Thesis and/or publications and that you are on track to complete this in the time available. Following submission of your PhD Thesis or accepted three academic journal articles, you have an oral presentation assessed by an external expert in your field.

Why Capitol?

Learn around your busy schedule

Program is 100% online, with no on-campus classes or residencies required, allowing you the flexibility needed to balance your studies and career.

Proven academic excellence

Study at a university that specializes in industry-focused education in technology fields, with a faculty that includes many industrial and academic experts.

Expert guidance in doctoral research

Capitol’s doctoral programs are supervised by faculty with extensive experience in chairing doctoral dissertations and mentoring students as they launch their academic careers. You’ll receive the guidance you need to successfully complete your doctoral research project and build credentials in the field. 

Key Faculty

Dissertation Chair

Degree Details

This program may be completed with a minimum of 60 credit hours, but may require additional credit hours, depending on the time required to complete the dissertation/publication research. Students who are not prepared to defend after completion of the 60 credits will be required to enroll in RSC-899, a one-credit, eight-week continuation course. Students are required to be continuously enrolled/registered in the RSC-899 course until they successfully complete their dissertation defense/exegesis.

The student will produce, present, and defend a doctoral dissertation after receiving the required approvals from the student’s Committee and the PhD Review Boards.

Prior Achieved Credits May Be Accepted

Doctor of Philosophy - 60 credits

Program Objectives:

• Students will integrate and synthesize alternate, divergent, or contradictory perspectives or ideas fully within the field of Artificial Intelligence.
• Students will demonstrate advance knowledge and competencies in Artificial Intelligence.
• Students will analyze existing theories to draw data-supported consultations in Artificial Intelligence.
• Students will analyze theories, tools, and frameworks used in Artificial Intelligence.
• Students will execute a plan to complete a significant piece of scholarly work in Artificial Intelligence.
• Students will evaluate the legal, social, economic, environmental, and ethical impact of actions within Artificial Intelligence and demonstrate advance skill in integrating the results in to the leadership decision-making process.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon graduation, graduates will:

• integrate the theoretical basis and practical applications on Artificial Intelligence in to their professional work;
• demonstrate the highest mastery of Artificial Intelligence;
• evaluate complex problems, synthesize divergent/alternative/contradictory perspectives and ideas fully, and develop advanced solutions to Artificial Intelligence challenges; and
• contribute to the body of knowledge in the study of Artificial Intelligence.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates are subject to change.

The following rates are in effect for the 2024-2025 academic year, beginning in Fall 2024 and continuing through Summer 2025:

• The application fee is $100
• The per-credit charge for doctorate courses is $950. This is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
• Retired military receive a $50 per credit hour tuition discount
• Active duty military receive a $100 per credit hour tuition discount for doctorate level coursework.
• Information technology fee $40 per credit hour.
• High School and Community College full-time faculty and full-time staff receive a 20% discount on tuition for doctoral programs.

Find additional information for 2024-2025 doctorate tuition and fees.

When I was comparing multiple universities, Capitol Tech's admissions staff was responsive, helpful, and caring. This was valuable my deciding factor in choosing Capitol Tech.

-Dr. Jason Collins-Baker PhD in Artificial Intelligence

I chose Capitol for its great reputation in the field I am interested in, as well as its flexibility offering a fully Online program that works very well with my work and family commitments. Another reason was its European PhD program, with which I am familiar since I grew up and studied in Europe (Spain), although I currently live in the United States (California).

-Hector Garcia Villa PhD in Artificial Intelligence

Need more info, or ready to apply?