Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), founded in 1900 by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is one of the 25 "New Ivy" institutions in the United States. CMU is globally renowned for its School of Computer Science and School of Drama, and its College of Fine Arts, Tepper School of Business, College of Engineering, and Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy are also ranked among the best in the nation.The School of Architecture at CMU emphasizes the integration of art and technology, offering rich educational resources in areas such as sustainable architecture and computer-aided design. Carnegie Mellon University’s College of Fine Arts is ranked among the top 10 in the United States. It trains students across diverse fields, ranging from architectural design to performing and visual arts, with departments including architecture, art, design, drama, and music. Its programs in graphic design, industrial design, and architectural design consistently rank among the best in the nation.
Alumni and Faculty Insights
The CMU Master of Urban Design (MUD) program is housed within the School of Architecture at Carnegie Mellon University. Other graduate programs in the same school include M.Arch, MAAD, MSAECM, MSBPD, MSCD, MSSD, as well as several Ph.D. programs. Students from these disciplines share some courses and often collaborate on competitions.
Program Overview
The CMU MUD program spans two years, making it one of the few two-year urban design programs in the U.S. Within its four semesters, the curriculum primarily revolves around two studio courses and a year-long research-based thesis studio.
In addition to urban design-focused studios, other courses establish a well-rounded knowledge system. For example:
Real estate courses are co-taught with the School of Public Policy.
GIS application and practice courses are offered in collaboration with the Civil Engineering department.
Students can also choose electives each semester, exploring interests across the university, including CMU’s renowned computer science courses.
First Year: Building Urban Thinking
Given that many students come from architectural or landscape backgrounds, the first-year studios emphasize cultivating an urban-scale mindset. A core value of the CMU MUD program is public engagement, a tradition rooted in its founding in the 1960s by David Lewis. The program remains dedicated to social equity and community participation, encouraging hands-on, human-centered urban design practices.
Throughout the first-year studios, students engage directly with communities:
Conducting interviews with stakeholders during early project phases.
Participating in community activities and hosting project reports in local spaces like community churches. This on-the-ground involvement fosters a unique sensitivity to urban design methods, infused with a sense of humanity and care.
Second Year: Thesis and Research on Commons
The second year continues to build on themes of community co-governance. Since 2017, the program has focused on "commons" as a research area, developing theoretical frameworks through global case studies. Each studio explores commons-based governance in a specific city, including Berlin, Zurich, and Vienna in recent years. These studies include field trips and local exchanges.
The program aims to expand this research over the next decade, exploring commons practices in South America, Asia, and other regions. The second-year thesis encourages students to pursue self-defined topics, supported by faculty through highly individualized mentorship.
Unique Features of CMU MUD
Small Cohorts: The program typically admits fewer than 8 students per year, ensuring frequent and meaningful interactions with faculty. This small-scale teaching model fosters deep connections among peers, faculty, and alumni.
Interdisciplinary Environment: CMU’s identity as a technology and arts hub creates opportunities to collaborate across fields. Known for its excellence in computer science, CMU also boasts a top-ranked School of Drama, offering a diverse and vibrant campus experience.
Community Spirit: Students often form close bonds, growing together over two years, while maintaining active communication with alumni and future cohorts.
For those seeking to explore their potential in a dynamic, diverse, and forward-thinking environment, CMU MUD offers an enriching academic and personal journey.
Related Programs List
-
Master of Architecture (M.Arch) Overview:
STEM Program: 2-year program, requires a Bachelor's degree in Architecture, typically a four-year architecture degree.
Portfolio required: https://soa.cmu.edu/march -
Master of Advanced Architectural Design (MAAD)
STEM Program: 2-year program, requiring a Bachelor of Architecture degree, typically a five-year professional degree.
Portfolio required: https://soa.cmu.edu/maad -
Master of Urban Design (MUD)
STEM Program: 2-year program, requires a Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or Urban Planning.
Portfolio required: https://soa.cmu.edu/mud -
Master of Human-Computer Interaction (MHCI)
1-year program
Portfolio not required, but can be submitted
https://www.hcii.cmu.edu/academics/mhci -
Master of Integrated Innovation for Products & Services (MIIPS)
STEM Program: 9-month or 16-month duration
Portfolio required: https://www.cmu.edu/iii/degrees/miips/index.html
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements for Each Program
- TOEFL/IELTS
TOEFL minimum requirement: total score 100, with minimum 22 in each section.
Institution code: 2074, Department code: 12
IELTS minimum requirement: total score 7.0, with minimum 6.5 in each section. - GRE
- Resume/CV
Resume, must include education level, work experience, professional qualifications, honors, awards, extracurricular activities, leadership skills, etc. - Transcripts
Transcripts, only the electronic version is required during the application stage, the official paper version must be submitted after admission. - Letters of Recommendation
- Portfolio
MArch
For each separate project or artwork, please describe under what conditions you made it (at school, on your own, etc.). If the work done collaboratively or for an employer, or for an employer, you should be clear about your specific role in creating the image and the project.
Formatting guidelines:
The portfolio should be a SINGLE DOCUMENT submitted as a PDF for viewing on a computer monitor (maximum file size of 20MB with a maximum resolution of 150dpi).
We recommend 25-30 individual pages (no two-page spreads). Include a cover with your name, and a table of contents.
Provide 1 item. PDFs (up to 20MB each)
MAAD/MUD
For each separate project or artwork, please describe under what conditions you made it (in practice, at school, on your own, etc.). If the work was done collaboratively, or for an employer, you should be clear about your specific role in creating the image and the project.
Formatting guidelines:
The portfolio should be a SINGLE DOCUMENT submitted as a PDF (maximum file size of 20MB with a maximum resolution of 150dpi).
The portfolio should be prepared for viewing on a computer monitor in full-screen.
Your portfolio must include in this order: a) a table of contents; b) your statement of intent; c) your portfolio; and d) your C.V./resume.
Provide 1 item. PDFs (up to 20MB each).
Video Statement
Required for MArch application, 30 seconds, no more than 10MB, introducing some information about yourself and your personal interest in architecture.
Personal Essay
Personal statement, required for MArch/MAAD application, 1000-1500 words, specific requirements:
MA rch
Please write a carefully considered, narrative-style essay of 1000-1500 words (10,000 character max) that contains two parts:
A Biographical Essay that describes your background and your most formative experiences to date that have led you to pursue studying architecture at CMU; and
A Statement of Purpose that describes why CMU is a good fit for you at this point in your career, what specific focus areas you may want to explore at CMU, and your aspirations and plans for the future after leaving CMU, including how you hope to position yourself in the many different fields related to architecture.
MAAD
Please write a carefully considered, narrative-style essay of 1000-1500 words (10,000 character max) that contains two parts:
A Biographical Essay that describes your background and your most formative experiences to date that have led you to pursue studying advanced architecture at CMU; and
A Statement of Purpose that indicates why you would like to enroll in the program, who amongst the faculty you would like to work with, and what topics you could envision pursuing in your culminating design research project.