MS STAIR-AMP
Master of Science in Security, Technology, and International Relations - Accelerated Master's Program
Fast-track your future with our 5-Year Bachelors/Masters Program!
The Master of Science in Security, Technology, and International Relations Accelerated Master's Program (MS STAIR-AMP) is a unique opportunity for CMU undergraduates to complete their bachelor's degree and master's degree in a minimum of five years. The MS STAIR-AMP is only open to current Carnegie Mellon University students and has prerequisite requirements to be completed during the student’s undergraduate curriculum. MS STAIR-AMP students will then take graduate curriculum for two semesters (fall and spring) before graduating at the end of their fifth year.
Admissions
MS STAIR-AMP Program Prerequisite Requirements
Before being admitted to the MS STAIR-AMP program, students must complete the Carnegie Mellon University Washington Semester Program (CMU/WSP) during their undergraduate coursework at CMU. Students will complete the graduate coursework in one additional year (5th year) and graduate in May.
Prerequisites (36 units) Students must complete all of the following prior to the start of the MS STAIR-AMP through the CMU/WSP:
- 84-360 CMU/WSP Internship Seminar (24 units)
- 84-336 Implementing Public Policy: From Good Idea to Reality or 84-339 Seminar in Policy Research (12 units)
Click here for curricular requirements of the graduate semesters of the MS STAIR-AMP program.
MS STAIR-AMP Admission Requirements
CMIST welcomes applicants from diverse academic, professional, and personal backgrounds, and seeks those dedicated to making an impact in our ever-changing world. Our admissions process is holistic in that we consider all aspects of the application equally to determine an overall fit with your background and goals to CMIST’s culture, curriculum, and community. To that end, applicants to the MS STAIR-AMP program should demonstrate academic and/or professional excellence and preparedness for the rigors of the program.
Minimum qualification for admission to the MS STAIR-AMP program includes previous coursework, demonstrated ability, or equivalent work experience in the following areas:
Analytical skills
An ideal applicant can demonstrate problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Introductory courses in political science, international relations, statistics, economics, and data analysis (R) are recommended.
Technological interest and vocabulary
An ideal applicant can demonstrate a focused interest in emerging technologies, evolution of technology strategies and policies, or the implications of technologies for national/international security.
Collaborative skills
An ideal applicant can demonstrate working effectively with others in leadership, cooperative, and subordinate roles and also show a reflective attitude toward developing group communication skills.
Application
MS STAIR-AMP Application
The accelerated Master’s program is only open to current Carnegie Mellon University seniors.
Application Form: The online application form will be available starting September 1, 2024.
Statement of Purpose (500-1000 words): State your purpose in undertaking graduate study in international relations and political science as they intersect with emerging technologies and related fields. Include your academic objectives, research interests, and internship and career goals. Also discuss your related qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities, and any other substantial accomplishments not already mentioned in the application or resume/curriculum vitae.
Optional Written Essay: If there are any special circumstances you would like the admissions committee to consider, highlight them in the optional essay. Use this essay to include information that you feel is important, but that you are unable to include elsewhere on the application. This would also be the place to address any gaps, course fails, course retakes, etc., indicated on your transcript. There is no penalty for leaving this blank.
Resume/Curriculum Vitae: A current outline of your education, research experience, internship experience, publications, scholarships awarded, prizes and honors received, society memberships, and extracurricular activities in PDF format.
Transcripts: Unofficial Carnegie Mellon University transcript, downloaded from SIO and submitted electronically to CMIST in PDF format. We require a minimum 3.0 GPA represented in your current undergraduate work. Please explain any gaps in your study, course fails, or retakes in the optional essay.
Letters of Recommendation: Two letters from Carnegie Mellon University faculty who can attest to the quality of your academic abilities. Applicants may submit an optional third letter from a professional or extracurricular supervisor. Letters should be submitted by recommenders directly to cmist-admissions@andrew.cmu.edu via email in PDF format.
Interview: Virtual or in-person interviews may be requested by CMIST for applicants in the final round of selection.
All attached documents provided with the application should be in PDF format unless otherwise specified.
MS STAIR-AMP Application Timeline and Submission
Early Decision Deadline
CMU undergraduates are eligible to apply for the MS STAIR-AMP’s Early Decision window starting September 1st through November 15th of their senior year and will be notified of their admission decision by the end of the current fall semester. Accepted early decision applicants will be asked to submit their non-refundable enrollment deposit before January 1st to claim your spot in the upcoming cohort.
Standard Decision Timeline
It is recommended that CMU undergraduates interested in applying for MS STAIR-AMP apply during their senior year. The standard application window is November 1st through February 1st. First-year, Sophomore, and Junior CMU students are encouraged to speak to the CMIST Graduate Program Manager to learn more about the AMP application process and to best strategize their undergraduate curricular experiences.
Application Submission Process
MS STAIR-AMP applicants will submit their program application through a Google Form instead of the standard application portal process. There are no application fees associated with an MS STAIR-AMP application. All required documents will be submitted as attachments to the Google Form provided.
Curriculum
The MS STAIR-AMP requirements include 138 units (include prerequisite courses), divided as follows:
Prerequisite Courses (36 units):
Students must complete all of the following courses prior to the start of MS STAIR:-AMP
Advanced Topics Core Courses (12 units):
Students must complete all of the following:
- 84-720 Advanced International Security (12 units)
- 84-726 Advanced International Relations (12 units)
Security and Technology Core Courses (36 units):
Students must complete 36 units from the following list of courses. Students cannot take the graduate version of a class for which they have already taken the undergraduate version.
- 84-605 The Future of Warfare (12 units)
- 84-649 Digital Diplomacy: Cybersecurity Challenges and Global Governance (12 units)
- 84-650 A Strategist's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (12 units)
- 84-663 Click. Hack. Rule: Understanding the Power & Peril of Cyber Conflict (12 units)
- 84-670 Nuclear Security & Arms Control (12 units)
- 84-672 Space and National Security (12 units)
- 84-673 Emerging Technologies and International Law (12 units)
- 84-681 International Governance of Artificial Intelligence (12 units)
- 84-687 Remote Systems and the Cyber Domain in Conflict (12 units)
- 84-690 Social Media, Technology, and Conflict (12 units)
Methodology (12 units):
Students must complete the following course during their graduate semesters:
- 84-703 Employing Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Program Evaluation (12 units)
Electives (24 units)
Students must complete 24 units in total. Courses taken in the Security and Technology Core above and beyond the required number of units for the core may count as electives for the degree. Students cannot take the graduate version of a class for which they have already taken the undergraduate version.
- 84-600 Security War Game Simulation (6 units)
- 84-604 In the News: Analysis of Current National Security Priorities (6 units)
- 84-606 Latin American Politics (12 units)
- 84-609 American Political Divides and Great Debates (12 units)
- 84-612 Terrorism in Sub-Saharan Africa (6 units)
- 84-617 Defense PPBE in the Age of Emerging Technologies (6 units)
- 84-619 Civil-Military Relations (12 units)
- 84-622 Nonviolent Conflict and Revolution (12 units)
- 84-623 War and Peace in the Contemporary Middle East (12 units)
- 84-624 The Future of Democracy (12 units)
- 84-625 Contemporary American Foreign Policy (12 units)
- 84-628 Military Strategy and Doctrine (12 units)
- 84-629 Asian Strategies (6 units)
- 84-652 Representation and Voting Rights (12 units)
- 84-655 Democracy's Data: Analytics and Insights into American Elections (12 units)
- 84-662 Diplomacy and Statecraft (12 units)
- 84-665 The Politics of Fake News and Misinformation (12 units)
- 84-667 The Politics of Antisemitism (12 units)
- 84-680 US Grand Strategy (12 units)
- 84-683 Cyber Policy as National Policy (6 units)
- 84-688 Concepts of War and Cyber War (6 units)
- 84-689 Terrorism and Insurgency (12 units)
- 84-693 Legislative Decision Making: US Congress (12 units)
- 14-684 Cyber Law and Ethics (6 units)
- 95-744 Cybersecurity Policy and Governance (12 units)
- 17-762 Law of Computer Technology (12 units)
- 76-825 Rhetoric, Science, and the Public Sphere (12 units)
- 76-714 Data Stories (12 units)
Policy Seminar (6 units):
CMU hosts many events that bring technology strategy, international relations, and political science into the intellectual conversation. CMIST regularly brings diplomats, scholars, policymakers, journalists, and other thought leaders to the university to address major issues facing the United States and the world. By the end of the series students should have a deeper understanding of multiple facets and variables that influence professionals working in their respective fields. Students will also have a better idea of the varied paths and steps they should be taking to enter the job market.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees are updated annually in the spring semester. Please visit the CMU Graduate Tuition website for more details.
Information on graduate financial aid is available through CMU Student Financial Services. Applications are accepted year-round, but the preferred deadline for financial aid applications is February 15th.
Funding for US Military and Veterans:
CMIST welcomes applications from veterans and those currently serving in the US Military. The institute offers a limited number of scholarships every year for graduates from select US military academies. In addition, the University’s Registrar’s Office provides services to veterans and their dependents who are eligible for Veterans Education Benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill, Post-9/11 GI Bill.
CMIST Director’s Merit Scholarship:
The MS STAIR-AMP program offers “Director’s Merit” scholarship upward from $5,000 based on undergraduate academic performance and demonstrated financial need. Director’s Merit scholarship recipients may have additional part-time work study obligations such as being a Teaching Assistant (TA), Research Assistant (RA), or both for assigned CMIST faculty. Additional work-study opportunities will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis once a student officially accepts their offer of admission and pays their enrollment deposit.
Other Scholarship Opportunities:
CMIST also supports applicants/awardees of external scholarship programs. Refer to the following list for some examples of potential external funding opportunities:
- Center for Cyber Security and Education- ISC2 Graduate Scholarship Program
- Google Scholarships
- The Beinecke Scholarship Program
- Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarship (Diverse U.S. Citizens only)
- The Out to Innovate Scholarships (LGBTQIA+ students only)
- BHW Women in STEM Academic Scholarship
- Asian Pacific Fund– Hsiao Memorial Social Sciences Scholarship
- Aziz Jamaluddin Scholarship Program (Muslim U.S. Citizens only)
- Islamic Scholarship Fund– Policy Scholarship (Muslim U.S. Citizens only)
- Women in Defense Scholarship (Women U.S. Citizens only)
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund (Hispanic U.S. Citizens, permanent residents, or DACA only)
- Non-comprehensive List of Graduate School Scholarships for Women in STEM (MS STAIR does not qualify for scholarships that require ABET-program certification)
FAQs
What career fields or job opportunities is MS STAIR-AMP preparing students for?
Graduates from the MS STAIR-AMP program will have a diverse skill set that prepares them to be successful in governmental or non-governmental positions. It will also give graduates a strategic advantage toward leadership positions focused on intersections between emerging technologies, international security, and policymaking.
Some specific career trajectories could include: Policy Analysis and Writing; NGO & Governmental Program Management; Public Service Official; Research Associates; Regional Affairs Specialist; Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Associates; Public Relations; Government Affairs and Relations, Global Operations, Advocacy Associate, Social Impact Analysis, Campaign Manager; International Education Advisor; Strategic Director; etc.
What professional development resources are available to MS STAIR-AMP students?
The Career and Professional Development Center is a resource available to all CMU students. They offer one-on-one advising with Career Consultants and Peer Mentors on a regular basis in addition to giving students access to the Handshake professional social networking platform. They also provide ample resources for career exploration, resume/cover letter writing, alumni mentorship, and scheduled career fair events and preparation.
In addition, students will meet regularly with the CMIST Graduate Program Manager to strategize internship and post-graduation placements, finalize application documents, and practice interview skills.
Finally, every fall semester, CMIST holds an Internship Application Workshop to create a deliberate time and space for students to focus their attention on internship applications and eventual post-graduation plans within the MS STAIR-AMP career fields.
Can I be fully or partially remote for the curricular semesters of the program?
Most of the MS STAIR-AMP classes are only offered in-person and CMIST’s policy is that current students can only enroll in one fully online course a semester. For these reasons, a student would not be able to enroll as fully or partially remote for the MS STAIR-AMP program.
Are there part-time enrollment options for the MS STAIR-AMP?
The department’s preference would be that all students remain full-time for the duration of the program. Any part-time enrollment options will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Any interest in part-time enrollment options should be communicated to the Graduate Program Manager early in the application process.
Can I begin the MS STAIR-AMP in the spring or summer semester instead of fall?
The MS STAIR-AMP only admits students in the fall semester. No initial enrollment in spring or summer will be considered.
Can international students apply to the MS STAIR-AMP?
Of course! However, MS-STAIR-AMP applicants must be enrolled CMU undergraduates who have completed or will soon complete the Carnegie Mellon University Washington Semester Program (CMU/WSP) during their undergraduate coursework. We will work with all international students on internship placement because some CMU/WSP internships require U.S. citizenship. Students are only eligible to use Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to facilitate their internship after completing two full-time consecutive semesters. The Office of International Education is an important resource for all prospective and current international students at CMU.