Language Technologies Institute / School of Computer Science
 Graduate Student Handbook
 Academic Year 2023-2024
 Master of Computational Data Science Program
 Last revision date: July 20, 2023
 The information contained in this graduate handbook template focuses on the
 resources and locations available at the Carnegie Mellon Pittsburgh Campus.Table of Contents
 1 Welcome .................................................................................................................. 6
 1.1 The MCDS Degree ..................................................................................................... 6
 1.2 Vision .......................................................................................................................... 7
 1.3 Mission ....................................................................................................................... 7
 1.4 MCDS Contact Information....................................................................................... 8
 1.5 University Policies and Expectations ....................................................................... 9
 1.6 Carnegie Mellon University Statement of Assurance ............................................. 9
 1.7 The Carnegie Mellon Code ...................................................................................... 10
 2 The Language Technologies Institute ................................................................. 10
 2.1 Main Office ............................................................................................................... 10
 2.2 Photocopies and Printers ....................................................................................... 11
 2.3 Office Space for MS Students ................................................................................. 11
 2.4 Computers for MS Students ................................................................................... 11
 3 MCDS Degree Completion and Certification ...................................................... 11
 3.1 CMU Degree Completion and Statute of Limitations .......................................... 11
 Early Completion 11
 Extended or Longer-than-Standard Completion 12
 Policy on Master’s Student Statute of Limitations 12
 Additional Guidance for Students 12
 3.2 Full-time Status ........................................................................................................ 13
 3.3 MCDS Degree Enrollment Process and Related Information ............................. 13
 3.3.1 Duration of the degree program 13
 3.3.2 Residency requirements 13
 3.3.3 Degree Certification: Course requirements and related policies/protocols 13
 3.3.4 Prerequisite Core Course 14
 3.3.5 Plan of study 14
 3.3.6.1 MCDS Curriculum 15
 3.3.6.2 Common MCDS Core Courses 15
 3.3.6.3 Areas of Concentration 15
 3.3.6.4 MCDS Capstone Courses 16
 3.3.10 Capstone project 17
 3.3.11 Elective courses 17
 3.3.12 Undergraduate courses 17
 3.3.13 Independent study course 18
 13.3.14 Double counting courses 18
 3.3.15 Courses outside of the School of Computer Science 18
 3.3.16 Grades 18
 3.3.17 Student Review, Academic Probation and Academic Actions 19
 3.3.18 Incomplete grades 20
 3.3.19 Change of grades and missing grades 21
 3.3.20 Qualifying examinations and procedures (or equivalent) 21
 3.3.21 Thesis/dissertation 21
 3.3.22 On transfer to another program 21
 3.3.23 Intellectual property policy 21
 3.3.24 Teaching requirements 21
 3.3.25 Language proficiency requirements 21
 3.3.26 Academic Integrity and Policies on Plagiarism and Cheating 22
 3.3.27 Process for Appealing Final Grades 22
 3.3.27 Teaching Assistants 23
 3.3.28 Internship Requirement and Search for Full Time Employment 23
 3.4 Enrollment Verification ........................................................................................... 24
 3.5 University Policies on Grades and Grading........................................................... 24
 3.6.1 University Policy on Grades 24
 3.6.2 University Policy on Grades for Transfer Courses 24
 3.6 Academic Integrity ................................................................................................... 24
 3.7.1 Expectations Regarding Proper Conduct 24
 3.7.2 Protocol for Academic Integrity Violations 25
 4 Academic Policies ................................................................................................. 26
 4.1 MCDS Academic Policies ......................................................................................... 26
 4.1.1 Duration of Study 26
 4.1.2 Double-Dipping 26
 4.1.3 Pass/Fail and Audit Grades 26
 4.1.4 Transfer Credit 27
 4.1.5 External Internships and Job Interviewing 27
 4.1.6 Transferring into the MCDS Program 27
 4.1.7 Transferring Out of the MCDS Program 27
 4.1.8 Statute of Limitations 28
 4.2 LTI Academic Policies .............................................................................................. 28
 4.2.1 “Grandfather” policy 28
 4.2.2 Course Drop/Add/withdrawal procedures 28
 4.2.3 Courses with restricted enrollment 28
 4.2.4 Definition of transfer credit versus course exemption 29
 4.2.5 External Employment/Consulting 29
 4.2.6 Leave of Absence 29
 4.2.7 Withdrawal from Program 29
 4.2.8 Satisfactory Progress 29
 4.2.9 Winter and Summer Breaks 29
 24.3 CMU Academic Policies ........................................................................................... 30
 4.3.1 Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities 30
 4.3.2 Summary of Graduate Student Appeal and Grievance Procedures 30
 4.3.3 Safeguarding Educational Equity: Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault 30
 4.3.4 Consensual Intimate Relationship Policy Regarding Undergraduate Students 31
 4.3.5 Gestational and Parental Accommodations 31
 4.3.6 Change of Address 32
 5 Financial Issues ..................................................................................................... 32
 5.1 Tuition ....................................................................................................................... 32
 5.1.1 Tuition payments 32
 5.1.2 Sponsored Students 32
 5.1.3 Employer Reimbursement Process 32
 5.1.4 Carnegie Mellon employee reimbursement procedure 33
 5.1.5 Financial aid, tuition waivers, Scholarships 33
 5.1.6 External fellowships 33
 5.1.7 Grade Reports 33
 5.1.8 Late Graduation 33
 5.1.9 Employment Eligibility Verification 34
 5.2 Conference Travel Funding .................................................................................... 34
 5.3 Expenses .................................................................................................................. 34
 5.4 Health Insurance ..................................................................................................... 35
 5.5 Emergency Loans .................................................................................................... 35
 6 Additional University Resources ......................................................................... 35
 6.1 The HUB Student Services Center ......................................................................... 35
 6.2 Student Information Online (SIO) .......................................................................... 36
 6.3 ID Cards .................................................................................................................... 36
 6.4 Transcripts ............................................................................................................... 36
 6.5 Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE) and Cross-registration ........... 36
 6.6 Student Privacy Rights and FERPA ......................................................................... 37
 6.7 Academic Calendar .................................................................................................. 37
 6.8 Professional Development ..................................................................................... 37
 6.9 University Libraries.................................................................................................. 38
 6.10 Computing Services............................................................................................... 39
 6.11 Family and Dependents Resources ..................................................................... 39
 6.12 Domestic Partner Registration ............................................................................. 40
 36.13 Housing .................................................................................................................. 40
 6.14 Dining ..................................................................................................................... 40
 6.15 Parking and Transportation ................................................................................. 41
 6.16 Copying, Printing and Mailing Services ............................................................... 42
 6.17 University Center ................................................................................................... 42
 6.18 Athletic/Fitness Facilities ....................................................................................... 42
 6.19 CMU Alert ............................................................................................................... 43
 6.20 Accidents on CMU property ................................................................................. 43
 6.21 Consumer Information ......................................................................................... 43
 7 Key Resources for Graduate Student Support ..................................................... 1
 8 Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs ............................................................. 1
 9 Office of the Dean of Students .................................................................................... 1
 10 The Division of Student Affairs .................................................................................. 2
 11 Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion .................................................................. 2
 12 Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities .............................................................. 3
 13 Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence & Educational Innovation ......................... 3
 14 Graduate Student Assembly ..................................................................................... 4
 15 Office of International Education (OIE)..................................................................... 4
 16 Veterans and Military Community ............................................................................ 5
 17 Carnegie Mellon Ethics Hotline ................................................................................. 5
 18 Policy Against Retaliation ........................................................................................... 5
 19 Key Offices for Academic & Research Support ................................................... 6
 20 Computing and Information Resources ................................................................... 6
 21 Student Academic Success Center ............................................................................ 6
 22 University Libraries .................................................................................................... 6
 23 Research at CMU ........................................................................................................ 7
 24 Office of Research Integrity & Compliance .............................................................. 7
 25 Key Offices for Health, Wellness & Safety .......................................................... 7
 26 Counseling & Psychological Services ........................................................................ 7
 27 Health Services ........................................................................................................... 8
 428 Campus Wellness ....................................................................................................... 8
 29 Religious and Spiritual Life Initiatives (RSLI) ............................................................ 8
 30 University Police ......................................................................................................... 9
 31 Shuttle and Escort Services ....................................................................................... 9
 32 The WORD ............................................................................................................ 10
 51 Welcome
 Welcome to the Language Technologies Institute, Master of
 Computational Data Science Program. While this handbook is specific to
 your academic experience in the department, there are several other
 resources and offices graduate students are encouraged to consult during
 their tenure at Carnegie Mellon University. Information about The Word,
 the student handbook, the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs, the
 Office of the Dean of Students, and others are included in Appendix A of
 this handbook.
 1.1 The MCDS Degree
 The MCDS Degree The Master of Computational Data Science (MCDS)
 degree is a professional Master of Science degree offered by the Language
 Technologies Institute (LTI), a department in the School of Computer
 Science at Carnegie Mellon University. The MCDS degree offers students
 with a Bachelor's degree the opportunity to improve their training with
 advanced study in Computer Science and Machine Learning. We cater to
 students with basic analytic skills and a strong aptitude for mathematics,
 programming, and logical reasoning. An undergraduate degree in
 Computer Science is not required. Most students will complete the
 program in three semesters; students coming from other disciplines and
 students focus on developing applied research skills in preparation for
 further graduate study or research-oriented employment may require an
 additional fourth semester.
 The MCDS Program offers a core curriculum and several concentrations;
 students entering the program enroll in core courses in their first
 semester and select further courses to satisfy at least one concentration
 (see Section 3.3.6). Students construct their own course of study, in
 consultation with their academic advisor, in order to satisfy broad
 guidelines. Thus, a student may tailor their coursework in a given
 concentration to follow a particular area of emphasis. The MCDS program
 is typically a 16-month program consisting of courses, seminars, a
 required Capstone Project and a required summer internship or practical
 training. While some MCDS graduates continue on to PhD programs in the
 LTI or other leading universities, most graduates go on to jobs in
 6corporate research and development laboratories.
 The program consists entirely of coursework and a Capstone Project, and
 no Master’s Thesis is required. All Capstone projects are structured as
 research activities and may lead to a publication. There is no Doctoral
 program in Computational Data Science. Because of the highly selective
 nature of the MCDS program and quality of the MCDS curriculum,
 performing well in the program will give a boost to a PhD application. MS
 graduates are welcome to apply to CMU PhD programs but will not receive
 preferential treatment.
 There are significant differences between CMU's different departments
 and degree programs in philosophical approach, procedures, policies and
 regulations. Each department issues a handbook that informs graduate
 students of their program requirements and procedures and ensures that
 students have written access to the standard information outlined below.
 This handbook describes the policies, procedures, and requirements for
 the Master of Computational Data Science (MCDS) degree.
 All policies not explicitly described in this document conform to School of
 Computer Science (SCS) policies and university policies described in The
 Word, Carnegie Mellon University Student Handbook and at the
 University Policies website.
 1.2 Vision
 Carnegie Mellon University will have a transformative impact on society
 through continual innovation in education, research, creativity, and
 entrepreneurship.
 1.3 Mission
 To create a transformative educational experience for students focused on
 deep disciplinary knowledge; problem solving; leadership,
 communication, and interpersonal skills; and personal health and well-
 being.
 To cultivate a transformative university community committed to (a)
 attracting and retaining diverse, world-class talent; (b) creating a
 collaborative environment open to the free exchange of ideas, where
 7research, creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship can flourish; and
 (c) ensuring individuals can achieve their full potential.
 To impact society in a transformative way — regionally, nationally, and
 globally — by engaging with partners outside the traditional borders of the
 university campus.
 1.4 MCDS Contact Information
 The people responsible for administering the MCDS degree are:
 Jennifer M Lucas Carolyn Penstein Rosé, Director
 Academic Program Manager Master of Computational Data Science
 Master of Computational Data Science Language Technologies Institute
 Language Technologies Institute School of Computer Science
 School of Computer Science Carnegie Mellon University
 Carnegie Mellon University Gates-Hillman Center 5419
 Gates-Hillman Center 6415 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pgh, PA 15213
 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pgh, PA 15213 Phone: (412) 268-4525
 Phone: (412) 268-9870 Fax: (412) 268-7287
 Fax: (412) 268-7287
 Robert Frederking Mona Diab, LTI Director
 Graduate Program Chair Language Technologies Institute
 Language Technologies Institute School of Computer Science
 School of Computer Science Carnegie Mellon University
 Carnegie Mellon University Gates-Hillman Center 5723
 Gates-Hillman Center 6515 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pgh, PA 15213
 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pgh, PA 15213 Phone: (412) 268-3669
 Phone: (412) 268-6656
 The Language Technologies Institute is located primarily on the 5
 th
 and 6
 th
 floors of the
 Gates Hillman Complex (GHC) on Carnegie Mellon’s Pittsburgh campus:
 Language Technologies Institute
 Carnegie Mellon University
 5000 Forbes Avenue
 Gates Hillman Complex 5402, LTI
 Pittsburgh, PA 15241-3891
 412-268-6591 (phone)
 412-268-6298 (fax)
 http://www.lti.cs.cmu.edu/
 81.5 University Policies and Expectations
 Each member of the Carnegie Mellon community must be familiar with university
 policies and guidelines. In addition to this departmental graduate student handbook,
 the following resources are available to assist you in understanding community
 expectations:
 The Word/Student http://www.cmu.edu/student-
 Handbook: affairs/theword/index.html
 Academic Integrity https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-
 Website: life/academic-integrity.html
 University Policies http://www.cmu.edu/policies/
 Website:
 Office of Graduate and http://www.cmu.edu/graduate/policies/index.html
 Post-Doc Affairs:
 Please see Appendix A for additional information about university resources.
 1.6 Carnegie Mellon University Statement of Assurance
 Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate in admission, employment or
 administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin,
 sex, handicap or disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed,
 ancestry, belief, veteran status or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon
 University does not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in violation of
 federal, state or local laws or executive orders.
 Inquiries concerning the application of and compliance with this statement should be
 directed to the university ombudsman, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue,
 Pittsburgh, PA 15213, telephone 412-268-1018. Obtain general information about
 Carnegie Mellon University by calling 412-268-2000.
 Carnegie Mellon University publishes an annual campus security and fire safety report.
 describing the university's security, alcohol and drug, sexual assault and fire safety
 policies, and containing statistics about the number and type of crimes committed on the
 campus, and the number and cause of fires in campus residence facilities during the
 preceding three years. You can obtain a copy by contacting the Carnegie Mellon Police
 Department at 412-268-2323. The annual security and fire safety report also is available
 online at
 www.cmu.edu/police/annualreports.
 Information regarding the application of Title IX, including to admission and
 employment decisions, the sexual misconduct grievance procedures and process,
 including how to file a
 report or a complaint of sex discrimination, how to file a report of sexual harassment,
 and how the university responds to such reports is available at www.cmu.edu/title-ix. The
 Title IX
 9coordinator may be reached at 412-268-7125 or tix@cmu.edu.
 1.7 The Carnegie Mellon Code
 Students at Carnegie Mellon, because they are members of an academic community
 dedicated to the achievement of excellence, are expected to meet the highest standards
 of
 personal, ethical and moral conduct possible.
 These standards require personal integrity, a commitment to honesty without
 compromise, as well as truth without equivocation and a willingness to place the good of
 the community above the good of the self. Obligations once undertaken must be met,
 commitments kept.
 As members of the Carnegie Mellon community, individuals are expected to uphold the
 standards of the community in addition to holding others accountable for said standards.
 It is
 rare that the life of a student in an academic community can be so private that it will not
 affect the community as a whole or that the above standards do not apply.
 The discovery, advancement and communication of knowledge are not possible without
 a
 commitment to these standards. Creativity cannot exist without acknowledgment of the
 creativity of others. New knowledge cannot be developed without credit for prior
 knowledge. Without the ability to trust that these principles will be observed, an
 academic community cannot exist.
 The commitment of its faculty, staff and students to these standards contributes to the
 high
 respect in which the Carnegie Mellon degree is held. Students must not destroy that
 respect by their failure to meet these standards. Students who cannot meet them should
 voluntarily
 withdraw from the university.
 The Carnegie Mellon Code can also be found on-line at:
 https://www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/theword/.
 2 The Language Technologies Institute
 2.1 Main Office
 The Gates Hillman Complex: Mailboxes, printers, copiers, and other departmental
 resources are in GHC 5404.
 102.2 Photocopies and Printers
 The use of a printer/copier requires a CS user id (see the ‘Computers’ section). The School
 of Computer Science provides several black-and-white and color printers for use by
 students. SCS Computing Facilities maintains a list of printers:
 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~help/printing/.
 2.3 Office Space for MS Students
 Full-time students in the LTI’s MS degree programs on the Pittsburgh campus have
 access to a shared working space to create a sense of community and provide space for
 working when on campus.
 2.4 Computers for MS Students
 Students are expected to provide their own laptop computers that can be used to access
 university resources and complete course assignments. Laptops running Windows,
 MacOS, and Linux software are all acceptable.
 MS students will be given a CS user id. A CS user id is required to use the LTI computer
 cluster, department printers, and other SCS services. The School of Computer Science
 has a Help Center located at 4203 GHC. They can be contacted at help@cs.cmu.edu,
 extension 8-4231 from a campus phone, or 412-268-4231 from an outside line.
 MS students will be given access to the LTI’s computer cluster on an as-needed basis, to
 be used for course assignments, directed study projects, and/or the capstone project. The
 LTI cluster provides storage and computation for projects involving large datasets and/or
 lengthy computation.
 3 MCDS Degree Completion and Certification
 This section describes the various rules and regulations that determine the attainment of
 a MCDS degree by the student.
 3.1 CMU Degree Completion and Statute of Limitations
 Carnegie Mellon graduate students are expected to complete their degree requirements
 within the standard length of time for their program of study as outlined in the relevant
 Graduate Student Handbook. Standard program lengths for graduate students vary
 significantly – ranging from two semesters for some full-time master’s programs to
 several or more years for doctoral programs. Upon completion of the graduate program
 degree requirements, the degree will be certified by the student’s academic program in
 the semester in which the student completes the requirements.
 Early Completion
 Graduate students who consider the completion of all degree requirements in less than
 the standard length of time for their program of study may consult with their degree-
 11granting program or department to determine if early degree certification is allowed and
 under what circumstances.
 Extended or Longer-than-Standard Completion
 Longer-than-standard degree completion may occur due to academic interruptions in
 making progress toward the degree as defined by the academic program, interruptions
 of full-time study or progress towards the degree due to serious, documented medical
 issues, or other unusual or unforeseen circumstances. Master’s students who require
 longer than the standard time to complete their degree requirements are expected to
 remain in close contact with their graduate program and will be certified at the end of the
 semester in which they have completed their degree requirements.
 Policy on Master’s Student Statute of Limitations
 www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/masters-students-statute-of-
 limitations.html
 See the above link regarding guidelines and restrictions which place an upper limit on
 the maximum length of time allowable for master’s degree completion and certification.
 Additional Guidance for Students
 Program of study. Students seeking guidance about their program of study and degree
 requirements should consult with their academic advisor and/or appropriate associate
 dean.
 Financial aid and student account
 Students are expected to make normal progress toward their degree to graduate within
 the standard timeframe for their program of study. Under U.S. Federal Title IV
 regulations, student eligibility for federal financial aid is contingent upon enrollment in
 and successful completion of courses that are counted as credit toward their current
 degree program. To receive the maximum amount of federal financial aid for which they
 may be eligible, students must enroll each semester in at least 36 units that count toward
 their current degree level. (See separate guidance regarding integrated degree
 completion.) Students should consult with their designated college liaison in The HUB
 regarding billing and financial aid, particularly for early completion, longer-than-
 standard completion, or integrated undergraduate and master’s degree programs.
 International students
 Immigration status for students in F-1 and J-1 non-immigrant status is tied to making
 normal progress toward completing degree requirements. Therefore, F-1 and J-1
 students who are considering completing their degree requirements early, anticipating
 longer-than-standard completion, or moving from an undergraduate to a graduate
 student classification (integrated undergraduate-graduate study) should consult with
 their designated advisor in the Office of International Education (OIE) to ensure
 compliance with immigration regulations.
 123.2 Full-time Status
 All MCDS students are expected to enroll full-time (at present, there is no option to pursue
 the degree as a part-time student). To be considered a full-time student, a student must
 be registered for, and complete, a minimum of 36 units in every Fall and Spring semester.
 All international students are required by US Federal law to maintain full-time status.
 Students can have no more than one (1) remote course counting toward the 36 units used
 to satisfy full-time enrollment. Failure to maintain full-time status will result in loss of a
 student visa (and, therefore, “permit of stay”). All students having a Stafford Loan are
 required to maintain full-time status.
 3.3 MCDS Degree Enrollment Process and Related Information
 3.3.1 Duration of the degree program
 The MCDS degree must be completed within five (5) years from the time that the student
 matriculates into the program.
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/masters-students-statute-of-
 limitations.html
 As outlined in the Master’s Students Statute of Limitations (see link above), students will
 complete all requirements for the master’s degree within a maximum of seven years from
 original matriculation as a master’s student, or less if required by a more restrictive
 department, school or college policy. Once this time-to-degree limit has lapsed, the
 person may resume work towards a master’s degree only if newly admitted to a currently
 offered master’s degree program under criteria determined by that program.
 Under extraordinary circumstances, such as leave of absence, military or public service,
 family or parental leave, or temporary disability, a school or college may, upon the
 relevant department's recommendation and with the written approval of the dean (or
 designate), defer the lapse for a period commensurate with the duration of that
 interruption. Students who are pursuing a master’s degree as part-time students for all
 semesters of their program, as approved by their program, may also appeal to their
 program or department for extension of the time to degree limit.
 3.3.2 Residency requirements
 There is no formal residence requirement. However, most courses in the program are
 taught on campus without an option for distance education. Students enrolled in in-
 person course sections (IPR) are expected to attend all class meetings in person.
 3.3.3 Degree Certification: Course requirements and related policies/protocols
 13 In order to receive the MCDS degree, students must have a Quality Point Average
 (QPA) of 3.0. Completion of the degree is based on completing courses in the core
 curriculum, the MCDS seminar, electives and capstone project.
  The capstone project consists of students working at CMU on a research project,
 or on an industry-sponsored project.
  The student must complete 144 eligible units of study. This includes eight core and
 concentration courses, two 12-unit seminar courses and two 12-unit capstone
 courses. All students complete a common MCDS core in their first two semesters,
 consisting of five courses. All students must also complete at least one
 concentration, consisting of three courses in one of three areas: Analytics,
 Systems, or Human-Centered Data Science. The remaining elective course can be
 any course with number 600 or above chosen from the SCS course catalog. Any
 additional non-prerequisite units taken beyond the 144 units are also considered
 electives.
  To maintain full-time enrollment status, a student must enroll in a minimum of 36
 course units per semester. A student may not take more than 60 units per
 semester, without permission from their academic advisor. Students must
 maintain full-time enrollment status (minimum of 36 units) in their final semester.
 3.3.4 Prerequisite Core Course
 All MCDS students are expected to pass the 11-637 Foundations of Computational Data
 Science course by the end of their first semester. Each student must pass 11-637 with a
 grade of “B” or better.
 3.3.5 Plan of study
 The degree consists of two timing options based on the length of time the student spends
 working on the degree. The student chooses their timing at the start of the degree
 program (for visa requirements). Changes in timing are possible with the approval of the
 Director of the degree program and successful visa extension application with CMU’s
 Office of International Education. Note that all degree options consist of the same amount
 of coursework:
  Professional Preparation Track – a 16-month degree consisting of study for Fall
 and Spring semesters, a summer internship, and Fall semester of study. Each
 semester consists of a minimum of 48 units of study. This timing is typical for most
 students. The student graduates in December.
  Research Preparation Track – a 20-month degree consisting of study for Fall and
 Spring semesters, a summer internship, and a second year of Fall and Spring
 study. Each semester consists of a minimum of 36 units of study. This timing is
 designed for students interested in extending their time at CMU for developing
 applied research skills in preparation for further graduate study or research-
 oriented employment. Note that the per-semester course load is lower, but the
 total cost is higher since four semesters of tuition are paid. This timing is also
 14recommended for students interested in pursuing a PhD after graduation. The
 student graduates in May.
 3.3.6.1 MCDS Curriculum
 All MCDS students must complete 144 units of graduate study which satisfy the
 following curriculum:
  11-637 - Foundations of Computational Data Science
  Four (4) additional MCDS Core Courses (10-601 Introduction to Machine
 Learning; 05-839 Interactive Data Science; 15-619 Cloud Computing; 11-631 Data
 Science Seminar; 48 units)
  Three courses (3) from one area of concentration curriculum (36 units)
  Three (3) MCDS Capstone courses (11-634, 11-635 and 11-632) (36 units)
  One (1) Elective: any graduate level course 600 and above in the School of
 Computer Science (12 units)
 3.3.6.2 Common MCDS Core Courses
 All MCDS students are required to complete four common core courses in their first two
 semesters:
  10-601 - Machine Learning
  15-619 - Cloud Computing
  05-839 - Interactive Data Science
  11-631 - Data Science Seminar
 3.3.6.3 Areas of Concentration
 In addition to the common MCDS core, all students must complete at least one area of
 concentration, which consists of three courses in Analytics, Systems, or Human-
 Centered Data Science. Students consult with their academic advisor and choose one or
 more areas of concentration during their first semester, in preparation for enrolling in
 Spring classes.
  Analytics concentration:
 o One (1) Machine Learning course
 o One (1) Software Systems course
 o One (1) big data course
  Systems concentration:
 o 15-513 Introduction to Computer Systems (elective, prerequisite for many
 advanced Systems courses)
 o Three (3) systems project courses
  Human-Centered Data Science concentration:
 o One (1) Methods course
 o Two (2) HCI courses
 15A detailed list of courses satisfying each concentration is contained in the MCDS Program
 FAQ.
 3.3.6.4 MCDS Capstone Courses
 All MCDS students complete three Capstone courses:
  11-634 - Capstone Planning Seminar (12 units)
  11-635 - Capstone Research (12 units)
  11-632 - Data Science Capstone (12 units)
 MCDS Program Learning Outcomes
  Design, implement and evaluate the use of analytic algorithms on sample
 datasets.
  Explain how a machine-learning model is developed for and evaluated on real
 world datasets.
  Design and execute experimental data collection and present resulting analyses
 using appropriate user experience (UX) techniques including interactive data
 visualizations.
  Apply and customize analytics, systems and human-centered data science
 techniques to application-specific data science requirements and objectives.
  Identify tradeoffs among data science techniques (analytics, systems and/or
 human-centered) and contrast design alternatives, within the context of specific
 data science application domains.
  Survey, interpret and comparatively criticize state of the art research talks and
 papers, with emphasis on constructive improvements.
  Organize, execute, report on, and present a real world data science project in
 collaboration with other researchers/programmers.
 Depending on the concentration, additional learning outcomes are emphasized:
 Analytics. Students electing to complete the Analytics concentration will also learn to:
  Design, implement and evaluate a software system and machine-learning model
 on real world datasets at real world scale.
  Analyze and document data science requirements in different application
 domains and survey as well as critique state of the art solutions for those
 requirements.
 Systems. Students electing to complete the Systems concentration will also learn to:
 16 Implement and evaluate complex, scalable data science systems, with emphasis
 on providing experimental evidence for design decisions.
  Anticipate and avert structural and/or implementation problems with systems
 design, especially with scaling and tail distributions.
 HCDS. Students electing to complete the Human-Centered Data Science (HCDS)
 concentration will also learn to:
  Design, implement and evaluate a user experience prototype to allow for clear
 understanding of data science solutions.
  Apply social and behavioral research methods to data science problems to
 understand the human aspects of data collection and analysis.
 Throughout their coursework, students will take introductory courses on all those topics,
 practice them in advanced courses and seminars and demonstrate all learned skills in
 their Capstone project and internship. Students are encouraged to choose elective
 courses in the curriculum according to their professional goals and mastery of the main
 subjects.
 3.3.10 Capstone project
 The capstone project consists of students working in a team or individually on a project.
 The capstone project integrates the educational experience of the student. A capstone
 project is typically a CMU research project, or an industry sponsored project;
 occasionally students define capstone topics through communication with the faculty.
 Students interested in defining their own capstone topics should discuss with the MCDS
 faculty as early as possible. The capstone project is a great opportunity for a student (or
 student team) to “show off” their unique skills and accomplishments. Capstone projects
 have been instrumental in the hiring decisions for several employers.
 3.3.11 Elective courses
 Electives can be any graduate level course (numbered 600 or above) in the School of
 Computer Science. Students use their elective courses to enhance study in an area of
 interest or to explore new areas of interest.
 3.3.12 Undergraduate courses
 Undergraduate courses are taken to address an area of weakness in the student’s prior
 preparation. Undergraduate courses (numbered less than or equal to 599) may be taken
 pass/fail or for credit but do not count toward the 144 units of eligible study: The course
 and course grade will appear on the student’s transcript, and the course grade will factor
 as part of the student’s QPA.
 173.3.13 Independent study course
 Independent study courses allow students to cover study of a particular area of interest,
 and are used when no formal course is available in a given subject area. Students who are
 interested in continuing to a Ph.D. degree often enroll in Independent Study, since it
 offers the opportunity to perform research directly with a faculty member. Independent
 study courses are considered electives.
 Each independent study course must be advised and approved by at least one faculty
 member. Agreement to supervise an independent study course is purely voluntary on the
 part of the faculty member. It is the duty of the student, therefore, to negotiate the terms
 and conditions of the independent study with the pertinent faculty members of CMU who
 will be supervising the study. These individuals are referred to as “independent study
 supervisors.” Once the student finds someone who agrees to supervise such a course,
 he/she must:
 1. Students wishing to take an independent study must request approval from their
 academic advisor and complete proposal before the first day of classes in a given
 semester:
 2. Enter into an agreement with the independent study supervisor that includes
 course expectations, including deliverables.
 3. Secure the “Independent Study Contract Form” from the MCDS administrator.
 4. Complete the form, provide a brief description of the work to be done, including
 deliverables and how they will be graded.
 5. Secure signatures of both the student and the supervisor. Return the form to the
 MCDS administrator in order to obtain approval for the independent study from the
 Director.
 Independent study contracts must be submitted no later than on the last day of the first
 week of classes in a given semester.
 3.3.14 Double counting courses
 No course may be used to complete two MCDS degree requirements, nor may a course
 satisfy requirements in two degree programs.
 3.3.15 Courses outside of the School of Computer Science
 Elective courses in other Schools at Carnegie Mellon may be taken with prior permission
 of the Director.
 3.3.16 Grades
 All courses offered by the SCS CMU are graded on the 4.3 grading standard
 http://www.cmu.edu/policies/documents/Grades.html. MCDS students must maintain a
 3.0 overall average each semester to remain in good standing. A student must obtain a B-
 or better grade in all courses, which count towards core requirements. If a student
 18receives a C- or better, that course may count as an elective towards the degree
 requirements. All courses must receive a letter grade; courses taken pass/fail do not
 count towards the MCDS degree.
 Enrollment Services is the only University office that can provide an official letter of
 enrollment, official transcript and enrollment verification. Enrollment verification can
 be requested online through The HUB at: https://www.cmu.edu/hub/registrar/student-
 records/verifications/
 3.3.17 Student Review, Academic Probation and Academic Actions
 The MCDS program conducts an academic progress review at the conclusion of each
 semester in order to monitor individual student progress towards graduation regarding
 the fulfillment of curricular requirements, course grades, and academic integrity. Should
 a student’s effort fall below the acceptable level of academic performance and/or fail to
 meet standards and policies established by Carnegie Mellon University, the student may
 be dismissed from the program.
 Infractions
 After each academic progress review, each student will receive a letter indicating the
 result of the review and their standing in the program. If applicable, the letter will also
 note the following infractions by the student in the given semester:
  Cumulative QPA is below 3.0, resulting in the student being put on Academic
 Probation (see below)
  Cumulative QPA is below 2.6, resulting in academic probation or possible
 dismissal (see below)
  Academic Integrity Violation (AIV) deemed an infraction by the MCDS committee
 (see 3.7.2)
 Minimum QPA and Academic Probation
 Students must maintain a cumulative QPA of 3.0 to remain in good standing with the
 program. Should a student’s overall QPA drop below 3.0 during any given semester,
 he/she will be placed on academic probation for the following semester. In probation
 cases, the student will be required to
  enroll in courses as advised by the academic advisor,
  improve his/her grades to no less than an overall 3.0 QPA in the following
 semester, and
  meet any other goal set by the advisor during that period (e.g., fulfilling a core
 course requirement).
 If a student’s cumulative QPA drops below 2.6, the student will be considered at risk of
 being unable to complete the program and will be considered for dismissal. He/she will
 be required to meet the program director to discuss his/her situation. Only if, after that
 meeting, the MCDS program committee ascertains that the student is likely to complete
 19the remaining program requirements in the allotted time, the student will be allowed to
 continue his/her studies in MCDS, and dismissed otherwise. If the student is allowed to
 continue their studies, they will be placed on academic probation for the following
 semester and is subject to the requirements above.
 Dismissal
 A student may be dismissed from the program for any of the following cases:
  If the student has been put on academic probation and failed to meet the remedial
 requirements set by the advisor in the following semester, or committed an
 Academic Integrity Violation deemed an infraction by the MCDS committee while
 on academic probation
  If the student has a cumulative QPA of 2.6 or lower and the MCDS program
 committee does not ascertain that the student is likely to complete the remaining
 program requirements in the allotted time
  If the student has committed two Academic Integrity Violation deemed infractions
 by the MCDS committee (see 3.7.2)
  If the student has committed an Academic Integrity Violation infraction where the
 violation is deemed to be sufficiently egregious as determined by the MCDS
 program committee
  If the student has been found to infringe a University Policy, where such
 infringement is deemed grounds for dismissal
 Students who realize that one of these situations may apply to them are strongly
 encouraged to meet with the academic advisor to discuss a plan to mitigate the situation.
 Students who find they are struggling in the program will have the best chances of success
 if they communicate early and often with the academic advisor.
 3.3.18 Incomplete grades
 Carnegie Mellon University students are expected to complete a course during the
 academic semester in which the course was taken. However, if the instructor agrees, a
 grade of “I” (incomplete) may be given when a student has been unable to complete the
 work of a course. However, the work completed up to that date must be of passing quality
 and the grade of incomplete provides no undue advantage to that student over other
 students.
 By awarding an “I” grade, an instructor must specify the requirements for the completion
 of the work and designate a default letter grade in the event that the student fails to
 complete the remaining work.
 Students must complete the required course work by no later than the end of the
 following academic semester or sooner if required by the instructor.
 20The instructor must record the permanent course grade by the last day of the
 examination period of the following semester, or the Registrar will automatically assign
 the default grade.
 If further work has not been completed after one semester and a default grade is
 rendered, the default grade will become the grade of record.
 3.3.19 Change of grades and missing grades
 If a grade has been assigned in error, it can be changed to a different permanent grade.
 The procedure for changing a grade is as follows:
  Discuss the matter with the course instructor; provide evidence that the grade issued
 was not the grade earned.
  If the instructor agrees, the student should contact the program administrator to
 process a Change of Grade Form in order to correct the grade that was issued in error.
 Generally, the instructor is the final authority for a course grade.
  If a grade has not been assigned, please notify the course instructor for the
 completion of a Missing Grade Form.
 3.3.20 Qualifying examinations and procedures (or equivalent)
 None required.
 3.3.21 Thesis/dissertation
 None required.
 3.3.22 On transfer to another program
 If the requirements for the MCDS degree have not been completed when a student leaves
 to pursue another academic program, the degree will not be awarded. Completion of the
 MCDS degree does not guarantee admission into any doctoral degree program at
 Carnegie Mellon University. The courses that will be completed as part of the MCDS may
 serve to enhance one’s application to these programs but will in no way insure
 admittance.
 3.3.23 Intellectual property policy
 The MCDS degree program adheres to Carnegie Mellon University policy on intellectual
 property: http://www.cmu.edu/policies/documents/IntellProp.html
 3.3.24 Teaching requirements
 None required. However, students are encouraged to apply for teaching assistant
 positions in courses where they have excelled.
 3.3.25 Language proficiency requirements
 None required. However, non-native English speakers are encouraged to take advantage
 of the various support functions provided by the Intercultural Communication Center
 (ICC) and the Global Communication Center (GCC).
 213.3.26 Academic Integrity and Policies on Plagiarism and Cheating
 The university considers any form of cheating or plagiarism to be a serious violation of
 student ethics. The student is required to understand and rigorously follow only the
 permitted forms of collaboration as defined by the instructor in every class. The work
 you submit must be your own, unless you have clearly attributed it to others. You must
 not use the work of others without proper citation. And, you must not use resources,
 including other persons, except as authorized by the course or project for which you are
 submitting the work. Such conduct might be accepted or commonplace elsewhere, but it
 is not here. Be careful. Be warned. Failure to abide by these rules, even just once, can
 result in your permanent separation from the University without refund of money paid.
 Note that the policy requires the student to be informed and understand the academic
 integrity rules for every assignment or exam in a course.
 The MCDS program strives to produce graduates with the highest standards of academic
 integrity. Academic Integrity Violations are taken very seriously and the MCDS program
 has a zero tolerance policy for multiple Academic Integrity Violations. A single violation
 is grounds for dismissal from the graduate program if deemed sufficiently egregious as
 determined by the MCDS program committee. If a student commits a second violation,
 the expected penalty is dismissal from the graduate program (see also academic progress
 review at section 3.3.17).
 Please review the University Policy on Academic Integrity:
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/academic-integrity.html
 The policy includes the University expectations around academic integrity and
 provides definitions of cheating, plagiarism, and unauthorized assistance.
 A review of the University’s Academic Disciplinary Actions procedures
 https://www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/theword/academic-discipline/index.html is also
 recommended. These procedures outline the process for investigating, reporting, and
 adjudicating violations of the University Policy on Academic Integrity. The procedures
 also outline the appeal process.
 3.3.27 Process for Appealing Final Grades
 https://www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/theword/academic/appeal-of-grades-and-academic-actions.html
 Final grades will be changed only in exceptional circumstances and only with the
 approval of the instructor and the department, unit or program. Grading is a matter of
 sound discretion of the instructor and final grades are rarely changed without the consent
 of the instructor who assigned the grade. The following circumstances are the unusual
 exceptions that may warrant a grade appeal: (a) the final grade assigned for a course is
 based on manifest error (e.g. a clear error such as arithmetic error in computing a grade
 or failure to grade one of the answers on an exam), or (b) the faculty or staff member who
 assigned the grade did so in violation of a University policy.
 223.3.27 Teaching Assistants
 The MCDS degree does not have a teaching requirement. However, some students may
 wish to be a teaching assistant. MCDS students may petition for approval to TA up to one
 course per semester provided that they are in good academic standing (Overall QPA 3.0
 or above).
 As required by the English Fluency in Higher Education Act of 1990, graduate students
 are required to have a certain level of fluency in English before they can instruct in
 Pennsylvania. Through this Act, all institutions of higher education in the state are
 required to evaluate and certify the English fluency of all instructional personnel,
 including teaching assistants and interns.
 The full university policy can be reviewed at:
 http://www.cmu.edu/policies/faculty/evaluation-certification-english-fluency-
 instructors.html.
 In addition to administering the International Teaching Assistant (ITA) Test (mandatory
 screening test for any non-native speaker of English), Language Support in the Student
 Academic Success Center helps teaching assistants who are non-native English speakers
 develop fluency and cultural understanding to teach successfully at Carnegie Mellon.
 Visit the website for additional information: https://www.cmu.edu/student-success/
 3.3.28 Internship Requirement and Search for Full Time Employment
 An internship is required for the degree program. In some cases, when a student has
 prior work experience, the Director of the degree program may waive this requirement.
 Students start searching for internships generally in the Fall and Spring semesters. Once
 the student returns from an internship in the Fall, they should immediately begin the
 search for full time employment. Extensive resources are available at
 http://www.cmu.edu/career/ including a resume submission system, a list of employers,
 on campus interviews and mock interviews, and many other resources.
 The Technical Opportunities Conference (TOC)
 http://engineering.cmu.edu/companies/toc/ occurs every September. This conference is
 one of the main recruiting events each year.
 All international students are required to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
 CPT is employment that is an integral part of an established curriculum and is directly
 related to the student’s major area of study. Please visit the Office of International
 Education (OIE) link below to learn more about the CPT process:
 http://www.cmu.edu/oie/forstu/jobs.html
 233.4 Enrollment Verification
 Enrollment Services is the only University office that can provide an official letter of
 enrollment, official transcript and enrollment verification. Enrollment verification can
 be requested online through The HUB via this link:
 http://www.cmu.edu/hub/transcripts/verifications/enrollment.html
 3.5 University Policies on Grades and Grading
 3.6.1 University Policy on Grades
 This policy offers details concerning university grading principles for students taking
 courses and covers the specifics of assigning and changing grades, grading options,
 drop/withdrawals and course repeats. It also defines the undergraduate and graduate
 grading standards.
 You can review the university grading policies here:
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/grading.html
 3.6.2 University Policy on Grades for Transfer Courses
 Carnegie Mellon University offers students the opportunity to take courses for credit
 through a cross-registration program (see Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education
 (PCHE) and Cross-registration below) and through the receipt of transfer credit from
 other accredited institutions. The Carnegie Mellon University transcript will include
 information on such courses as follows: Carnegie Mellon courses and courses taken
 through the university’s cross-registration program will have grades recorded on the
 transcript and be factored into the QPA. All other courses will be recorded on this
 transcript indicating where the course was taken, but without grades. Such courses will
 not be taken into account for academic actions, honors or QPA calculations. (Note:
 suspended students may take courses elsewhere; however, they may receive transfer
 credit only if their college’s and department’s policies allow this.)
 You can review the university policy here:
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/transfer-credit-evaluation-and-
 assignment.html
 3.6 Academic Integrity
 3.7.1 Expectations Regarding Proper Conduct
 In the midst of self-exploration, the high demands of a challenging academic
 environment can create situations where some students have difficulty exercising good
 judgment. Academic challenges can provide many opportunities for high standards to
 evolve if students actively reflect on these challenges and if the community supports
 24discussions to aid in this process. It is the responsibility of the entire community to
 establish and maintain the integrity of our university.
 Carnegie Mellon University educates its students to become professionals who will serve
 society with integrity. The university also creates and disseminates new knowledge and
 expressions of knowledge in ways that benefit society. Carnegie Mellon strives to serve
 the changing needs of society through the three primary goals outlined in its mission
 statement: to create and disseminate knowledge and art through research and artistic
 expression, teaching and learning and transfer to society, to serve students by teaching
 them leadership and problem-solving skills, and the values of quality, ethical behavior,
 responsibility to society and commitments to work, to pursue the advantages provided by
 a diverse community, open to the exchange of ideas, where discovery and artistic
 creativity can flourish.
 In any presentation, creative, artistic or research, it is the ethical responsibility of each
 student to identify the conceptual sources of the work submitted. Failure to do so is
 dishonest and is the basis for a charge of cheating or plagiarism, which is subject to
 disciplinary action.
 Please review the University Policy on Academic Integrity
 (https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/academic-integrity.html). The
 policy includes the University expectations around academic integrity and provides
 definitions of cheating, plagiarism, and unauthorized assistance.
 A review of the University’s Academic Disciplinary Actions procedures
 (https://www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/theword/academic-discipline/index.html) is also
 recommended. These procedures outline the process for investigating, reporting, and
 adjudicating violations of the University Policy on Academic Integrity. The procedures
 also outline the appeal process.
 3.7.2 Protocol for Academic Integrity Violations
 The university has a very clear and specific protocol for responding to alleged violations
 of academic integrity. Carnegie Mellon's Academic Disciplinary Actions Overview for
 Graduate Students describes procedures and the appeal process for disciplinary actions
 against graduate students in cases of alleged academic integrity violation.
 For more information on disciplinary actions please see:
 https://www.cmu.edu/student-
 affairs/theword/acad_standards/creative/disciplinary.html
 Further documentation on how to respond to an allegation of a violation as a graduate
 student:
 25https://www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/ocsi/academic-integrity/grads.html
 Important Note: MCDS implements the above policy’s option of “conven[ing] a
 disciplinary hearing according to the procedures of the department/program”. We have
 adopted the following hearing procedure and “two strikes” rule:
  If an instructor determines that an academic integrity violation has occurred,
 both the instructor and students are given the opportunity to explain the situation
 to the MCDS program committee. A written hearing by email suffices for this
 purpose.
  The program committee then reviews all information and decides whether the
 violation is deemed an infraction (see 3.3.17), and which secondary actions are to
 be taken on the program level.
  Two-Strike-Rule: MCDS may dismiss students upon a first AIV infraction. A
 second infraction will always lead to the offending student being dismissed from
 the program, with no exceptions.
 The MCDS program reserves the right to withdraw a degree even though it has been
 granted should there be discovery that the work upon which it was based or the academic
 records in support of it had been falsified. In such a case, the degree will be withdrawn
 promptly upon discovery of the falsification. The complete reference to this university
 policy is available at: https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-
 life/withdrawal-of-a-degree.html
 4 Academic Policies
 4.1 MCDS Academic Policies
 4.1.1 Duration of Study
 MCDS students enrolled for full-time studies are normally expected to complete the
 degree in three semesters (16 months). This includes a summer internship.
 4.1.2 Double-Dipping
 A Masters student who uses courses taken as part of another degree program (at
 Carnegie Mellon or elsewhere) toward their program requirements cannot use those
 same courses toward any other M.S. degree offered by the School of Computer Science
 without prior approval.
 4.1.3 Pass/Fail and Audit Grades
 Pass/fail and audit grades are not permitted for courses used to satisfy a degree
 requirement. Graduate students who are required to take additional undergraduate
 courses to build up the core foundations of computer science may not elect the pass/fail
 or audit option for these courses.
 264.1.4 Transfer Credit
 An equivalent graduate course previously completed at Carnegie Mellon, or another
 institution, may be permitted to satisfy one of the MCDS course requirements, with
 permission from the Director. Students must petition for transfer credit by providing
 the Program Director with the prior course syllabus and other details that may be
 required by the Director in order to make a decision. See the section on “Definition of
 transfer credit versus course exemption”. NOTE: In all cases, credit may only be
 transferred from another degree program for courses deemed “free electives” - i.e.,
 courses which were not used to satisfy a core requirement or total units requirement in
 a prior degree program.
 All MS students are required to take a minimum of 96 units of coursework at CMU.
 4.1.5 External Internships and Job Interviewing
 MCDS students are expected to attain an external internship during the summer.
 International students must coordinate carefully with the University, due to visa
 restrictions. International students are required to consult with the Office of
 International Education for eligibility before seeking an internship/co-op or signing an
 offer contract.
 We caution all students to be aware of potential intellectual property (IP) implications
 with internships, and to review any IP agreements with their academic advisor before
 signing them. It is possible to lose ownership of your own inventions if they occur during
 an external internship.
 While it is necessary for students to travel off-campus for job interviews, it is not
 acceptable for a student to miss a course requirement or a capstone project commitment
 due to interview travel. Students should work proactively with prospective employers to
 arrange interview travel in a way that minimizes the impact on their final semester
 course work.
 4.1.6 Transferring into the MCDS Program
 Direct transfers into the MCDS program are not permitted. Students who are currently
 enrolled at Carnegie Mellon who wish to transfer into the MCDS program must do so by
 applying to the MCDS program via the normal admissions process. As specified in Sec.
 4.1.4 in this document, some transfer credit and/or exemption from MCDS requirements
 may be possible on a case-by-case basis.
 4.1.7 Transferring Out of the MCDS Program
 The MCDS program does not prevent students from transferring to another degree
 program. Each degree program has its own rules about whether and when transfers into
 the program are permitted. A student that is interested in transferring out of the MCDS
 degree program should consult the handbook and Program Director of the desired
 27degree program to learn whether transfers are permitted, and if so, how and when to
 request such a transfer.
 4.1.8 Statute of Limitations
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/masters-students-statute-of-
 limitations.html
 As outlined in the Master’s Students Statute of Limitations (link above), students will
 complete all requirements for the master’s degree within a maximum of seven years
 from original matriculation as a master’s student, or less if required by a more restrictive
 department, school or college policy. Once this time-to-degree limit has lapsed, the
 person may resume work towards a master’s degree only if newly admitted to a currently
 offered master’s degree program under criteria determined by that program.
 Under extraordinary circumstances, such as leave of absence, military or public service,
 family or parental leave, or temporary disability, a school or college may, upon the
 relevant department's recommendation and with the written approval of the dean (or
 designate), defer the lapse for a period commensurate with the duration of that
 interruption. Students who are pursuing a master’s degree as part-time students for all
 semesters of their program, as approved by their program, may also appeal to their
 program or department for extension of the time to degree limit.
 4.2 LTI Academic Policies
 4.2.1 “Grandfather” policy
 A student can graduate under the policies in effect at the time that the student entered
 the program; or, at the student's choice, the student can graduate under policies that are
 adopted after the student entered the program. In unusual cases, the Director may
 approve exceptions to the program requirements.
 4.2.2 Course Drop/Add/withdrawal procedures
 Students taking undergraduate and Master’s level courses must follow the procedures and
 deadlines for adding, dropping, or withdrawing from courses as identified on the
 academic calendar. Information can be found at:
 https://www.cmu.edu/hub/registrar/course-changes/index.html.
 There is a separate calendar for masters level courses.
 4.2.3 Courses with restricted enrollment
 MCDS students have priority for the program core courses. The MCDS program
 administrators cannot intercede with other departments to secure seats for its students
 in other courses as all departments reserve seats for their accepted students. Usually all
 remaining open seats are assigned on a first- come, first-served basis. Students can,
 28on occasion, contact the assigned course instructor in order to plead his/her case for
 admission to the course. Admission may be granted at the discretion of the instructor.
 The policy of the department offering the course(s) is always followed.
 4.2.4 Definition of transfer credit versus course exemption
 The LTI may grant transfer credit or issue an exemption for equivalent graduate courses
 previously completed at another institution. This decision rests with the Director of the
 particular program. If a student is exempt from a required course due to prior courses or
 experience, the student can replace that course with an open elective. The student does
 not receive credit for the external course but can take any course that could normally
 count toward the degree in its place. If a student receives credit for prior coursework
 completed at CMU or elsewhere, the student receives that many units of credit, and the
 total amount of required coursework is reduced by that amount.
 4.2.5 External Employment/Consulting
 Since the MCDS program places heavy demands on student time, external employment
 and/or consulting are strongly discouraged. Exceptional students who wish to consult
 should discuss this with their advisor. International students must also have approval in
 advance from the Office of International Education (OIE) for any outside employment.
 4.2.6 Leave of Absence
 A student in good standing may be granted a LOA of at most 1 year, upon written request
 to the Program Director and with consent of the student's advisor. It is the responsibility
 of the student on LOA to contact the program administrator to apply for a return to the
 program.
 4.2.7 Withdrawal from Program
 Students may voluntarily withdraw from the MCDS program. If a student decides to
 withdraw, or is considering a withdrawal, she/he should contact the program
 administrator to schedule an advising meeting as soon as possible.
 The university’s general withdrawal policy can be found here:
 https://www.cmu.edu/hub/registrar/leaves-and-withdrawals/
 4.2.8 Satisfactory Progress
 If a student does not make satisfactory progress each semester toward completing the
 degree, the LTI may remove the student from the program. See section on “End of
 Semester Evaluation”. In particular, students in the three-semester program who fail one
 of their first-semester MCDS core required courses are strongly encouraged to consider
 switching to the four-semester program.
 4.2.9 Winter and Summer Breaks
 29Students supported by research projects or working in an on-campus internship are
 expected to remain on campus working during breaks in classes. A two-week vacation is
 typically allowed in the summer for the students who are working on campus (not
 pursuing an external internship). Supported students should arrange their winter break
 time with their supervisor.
 4.3 CMU Academic Policies
 4.3.1 Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities
 http://www.cmu.edu/education-office/disability-resources/
 The Office of Disability Resources at Carnegie Mellon University has a continued mission
 to provide physical, digital, and programmatic access to ensure that students with
 disabilities have equal access to their educational experience. We work to ensure that
 qualified individuals receive reasonable accommodations as guaranteed by the
 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
 Students who would like to receive accommodations can begin the process through
 Disability Resources' secure online portal
 (https://rainier.accessiblelearning.com/cmu/) or email access@andrew.cmu.edu to
 begin the interactive accommodation process.
 Students with physical, sensory, cognitive, or emotional disabilities are encouraged to
 self-identify with the Office of Disability Resources and request needed accommodations.
 Any questions about the process can be directed to access@andrew.cmu.edu, or call (412)
 268-6121.
 4.3.2 Summary of Graduate Student Appeal and Grievance Procedures
 Graduate students will find the Summary of Graduate Student Appeal and Grievance
 Procedures on the Graduate Education Resource webpage. This document summarizes
 processes available to graduate students who seek review of academic and non-academic
 issues. Generally, graduate students are expected to seek informal resolution of all
 concerns within the applicable department, unit or program before invoking formal
 processes. When an informal resolution cannot be reached, however, a graduate student
 who seeks further review of the matter is to follow the formal procedures outlined here.
 These appeal and grievance procedures shall apply to students in all graduate programs
 of the University. Students should refer to the department specific information in this
 handbook for department and college information about the administration and
 academic policies of the program.
 You can review a summary of the university’s graduate student’s appeal and grievance
 procedures here:
 https://www.cmu.edu/graduate/policies/appeal-grievance-procedures.html
 4.3.3 Safeguarding Educational Equity: Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault
 30The University prohibits sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault,
 dating/ domestic violence and stalking. The University also prohibits retaliation against
 individuals who bring forward such concerns or allegations in good faith. The
 University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy is available at
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/administrative-and-governance/sexual-
 misconduct/index.html.
 The University’s Policy Against Retaliation is available at:
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/administrative-and-governance/whistleblower.html
 If you have been impacted by any of these issues, you are encouraged to
 make contact with any of the following resources:
  Office of Title IX Initiatives: http://www.cmu.edu/title-ix/, 412-268-7125,
 tix@cmu.edu
  University Police: https://www.cmu.edu/police/, 412-268-2323
  Additional resources and information can be found at:
 https://www.cmu.edu/title-ix/resources-and-information/index.html
 4.3.4 Consensual Intimate Relationship Policy Regarding Undergraduate Students
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/consensual-relationships.html
 This policy addresses the circumstances in which romantic, sexual or amorous
 relationships/interactions with undergraduate students, even if consensual, are
 inappropriate and prohibited. The purpose of this policy is to assure healthy
 professional relationships. This policy is not intended to discourage consensual
 intimate relationships unless there is a conflicting professional relationship in which
 one party has authority over the other as in the policy.
 4.3.5 Gestational and Parental Accommodations
 https://www.cmu.edu/graduate/programs-services/maternity-accommodation-
 protocol.html
 Students whose anticipated delivery date is during the course of the semester may
 consider taking time away from their coursework and/or research responsibilities. Any
 student who gives birth to a child while engaged in coursework or research is eligible to
 take either a short-term absence or formal leave of absence. Students are encouraged to
 consult with relevant university faculty and staff as soon as possible as they begin
 making plans regarding time away.
  Students must contact the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs to register for
 Maternity Accommodations. Students will complete an information form and
 meet with a member of the Dean’s Office staff to determine resources and
 procedures appropriate for the individual student.
 31o Planning for the student’s discussion with appropriate academic contact(s)
 (advisor, associate dean, etc.) may be reviewed during this meeting.
  Students in course work should consider options for the semester of the
 anticipated birth such as working with their course instructors to receive
 incomplete grades, electing to drop to part-time status or taking a full semester
 leave of absence.
  Students engaged in research must work with their faculty to develop plans for
 the research for the time they are away and for resuming upon return.
  Master's students who receive an academic stipend funded by Carnegie Mellon
 are eligible to continue to receive stipend funding for up to six (6) weeks during a
 Short-Term Maternity Accommodation or a Formal Leave of Absence. Continued
 academic stipend funding may be extended by two (2) weeks, for a total of eight
 (8) weeks, if an absence longer than six weeks is medically necessary. To receive
 this support students must be registered with the Office of the Dean of Students.
 4.3.6 Change of Address
 MCDS students are responsible for notifying MCDS and the HUB of all address changes
 in a timely manner. Students will be held responsible for any failure to receive official
 college notices due to not having a correct address on file; F-1 students may jeopardize
 their status if address information is not kept current.
 Students can change their address using SIO, which is available via the HUB website:
 http://www.cmu.edu/hub/index.html
 5 Financial Issues
 5.1 Tuition
 5.1.1 Tuition payments
 To understand your invoice, payment options, etc., visit: http://www.cmu.edu/hub. The
 MCDS program sets tuition each year for all students in the program. The student must
 handle tuition problems by contacting The Hub. The MCDS Program Administrators
 cannot solve tuition problems.
 5.1.2 Sponsored Students
 A sponsored student is one who has another party (such as an embassy or company) who
 has agreed to pay the student’s tuition. Please read the “Sponsored Students” section.
 5.1.3 Employer Reimbursement Process
 If you have an employer reimbursement plan, write your employer’s name and address
 on the bill (or provide CMU with a letter of support) and pay at least one-third of the
 32tuition charge when returning the bill. You must pay previous semester balances before
 you can enroll for the next semester.
 5.1.4 Carnegie Mellon employee reimbursement procedure
 Contact the Benefits Office for specific information on tuition benefits. You must
 complete a Tuition Remission Form each semester in order to receive these benefits. To
 receive a Tuition Remission Form, visit the Human Resources website at:
 http://www.cmu.edu/hr.
 5.1.5 Financial aid, tuition waivers, Scholarships
 The MCDS degree program does not provide financial aid to graduate students, nor does
 it provide tuition waivers or scholarships. For complete financial aid information see:
 https://www.cmu.edu/sfs/financial-aid/index.html . The Financial Aid Office of Carnegie
 Mellon will provide assistance in completing the necessary paperwork to apply for
 Stafford loans.
 Graduate students should consult the graduate student financial aid information found
 on The HUB website:
 https://www.cmu.edu/sfs/financial-aid/graduate/index.html .
 Students will find the Graduate Financial Aid Guide, information about funding options
 and how to apply for financial aid and other helpful links.
 Graduate students who find themselves in need of immediate funds for emergency
 situations should contact the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs (see Appendix A),
 www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/index.html, to inquire about an Emergency Student Loan.
 U.S. citizens and permanent residents may complete the Free Application for Federal
 Student
 Aid (FAFSA) online at https://fafsa.ed.gov
 Students may obtain information regarding their loans through the William D. Ford
 Direct Loan Program, including deferment forms and payment information
 at http://www.dlssonline.com/index.asp
 Information about the federal student aid programs may be found at
 www.studentaid.ed.gov
 5.1.6 External fellowships
 The MCDS program will accept students with external fellowships.
 5.1.7 Grade Reports
 Grade reports are mailed to individual students by the university at the conclusion of each
 semester. See the official calendar for mailing dates.
 5.1.8 Late Graduation
 33On occasion, a student and/or his/her employer may request that the student attend
 Carnegie Mellon for an additional semester in order to complete a program that will be
 beneficial to both the student and the employer. Under such circumstances late
 graduation can be arranged. Student is to discuss his/ her situation with the Director.
 5.1.9 Employment Eligibility Verification
 If you are receiving a stipend, are a TA, or are planning to have a position with CMU then
 Employment Eligibility Verification is required. Form I-9 must be completed within 3
 business days of beginning work for any type of compensation (stipend or employment).
 Additional details are highlighted below. To ensure compliance with federal law,
 Carnegie Mellon University maintains the Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9) Policy
 covering the university’s I-9 and E-Verify requirements:
  Every individual receiving a stipend from CMU or employed by CMU must comply
 with the I-9 Policy by completing the Form I-9 within three business days following
 the first day of stipend start date/employment.
  Individuals who expect to work on a federally funded project are further
 responsible for submitting an E-Verify Processing Request Form to the Office of
 Human Resources if required.
  For more information, please see CMU’s Guidance for Completing the Form I-9
 and E-Verify Requirements at CM or visit the Human Resources Service website to
 learn more about Form I-9 and E-Verify and to schedule an appointment to
 complete the Form I-9.
 5.2 Conference Travel Funding
 Students funded by a research project may receive travel funding according to policies set by the
 individual projects. Students who have no project funding may be provided with partial funding,
 with a larger amount available for travel to present a refereed conference paper. There is an LTI
 form that must be filled out in advance.
 An additional conference travel funding opportunity is provided by GSA and the Provost’s Office
 for students, student work groups or groups to attend a conference, whether as a participant or as
 a presenter. The process is managed by the Graduate Education Office. Students can find more
 information about the application process and deadlines at:
 https://www.cmu.edu/graduate/professional-development/index.html
 5.3 Expenses
 The program will reimburse any expenses incurred on behalf of the MCDS
 program if approved by the Director. The student must apply for approval
 of expenses before they are incurred. Verification of purchase and/or
 expenses along with receipts is to be presented to the program
 administrator for reimbursement. Reimbursement requests must be filed
 34within three months of the calendar date when it was incurred. If the
 reimbursement request concerns pre-approved conference or workshop
 travel expenses of an MCDS students, then it must be filed within three
 months of the calendar date of the event’s last day. Reimbursement
 requests received after this period will not be processed. The University
 does not reimburse for taxes.
 5.4 Health Insurance
 https://www.cmu.edu/health-services/student-insurance/plans.html
 Carnegie Mellon has a Student Health Insurance policy requiring full-time, degree-
 seeking students to carry adequate medical insurance. Students must either purchase
 the plan offered by the University or an application for a waiver can be made if the
 student is “enrolled as the dependent, partner/spouse or principal in an employer or
 government-sponsored insurance plan”. It is the responsibility of each student to make
 arrangements with Student Health Services to either pay for their insurance at the
 beginning of the semester or elect a payment plan over the course of the academic year.
 More information is available at the Student Health Services Web site
 https://www.cmu.edu/health-services/student-insurance/plans.html.
 5.5 Emergency Loans
 Graduate students who find themselves in need of immediate funds for emergency
 situations should contact the Office of the Dean of Students (see Appendix A),
 www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/index.html, to inquire about the types of emergency
 funding available to enrolled students.
 6 Additional University Resources
 6.1 The HUB Student Services Center
 The HUB is located in Warner Hall, Lower Level. The HUB staff delivers comprehensive
 service and counsel to students and families regarding financial aid, billing and
 payment, registration and academic records. The Assistant Directors in The HUB serve
 as contacts for specific colleges and assist enrolled students with key aspects of the
 enrollment process. Student can find their assigned HUB Assistant Director on their
 Student Information Online (SIO) Resource page. Questions that need specialized, in-
 depth attention can be directed to the student's assigned Assistant Director. For general
 questions and information, students may email The HUB or call 412-268-8186.
 thehub@andrew.cmu.edu and http://www.cmu.edu/hub/
 356.2 Student Information Online (SIO)
 Student Information Online (SIO) is a secure site where students can find important,
 personalized information, including E-Bills and student account information, financial
 aid status and eligibility, grades and QPA, and course schedules. Students can update
 their and their spouse's or domestic partner's contact information, sign up for E-Check &
 E-Refund, authorize their spouses, domestic partners or other individual to receive a
 copy of their E-Bill, request verifications, view their housing and meal plan assignments,
 and much more. Students can log on to SIO by going to www.cmu.edu/hub/sio and
 entering their Andrew User ID and password.
 On SIO, students will designate an emergency contact address of a relative or family
 friend to be contacted in the case of an emergency. If students do not want their name
 and address published in the campus directory, they must notify the HUB in writing.
 6.3 ID Cards
 Graduate students can obtain their ID card from The HUB once they have been entered
 into SIO for the semester. These cards identify their holders as members of the campus
 community. Student cards are deactivated upon the cardholder’s separation from the
 university.
 Affiliate ID Cards are available for spouses and partners of graduate students that allow
 them to access Carnegie Mellon’s campus. These cards are available through The HUB to
 spouses and partners of graduate students who are enrolled for the current academic
 year in a full-time graduate degree program. The card is valid for one year. For
 information about domestic partner registration, visit the Office of the Dean of Student
 Affairs webpage:
 http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/dean/domestic_partner/.
 For more information about student and affiliate ID cards (spouse, domestic partners and
 dependent children), please visit: http://www.cmu.edu/idplus/idcards/cardtypes.html.
 6.4 Transcripts
 Information about and instructions for ordering transcripts are available at:
 www.cmu.edu/hub/transcripts.html.
 Transcript questions may be directed to esg- transcripts@andrew.cmu.edu.
 6.5 Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE) and Cross-registration
 Carnegie Mellon University offers students the opportunity to take courses for credit
 through a cross-registration program (see Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education
 (PCHE) and Cross-registration below) and through the receipt of transfer credit from
 36other accredited institutions. The Carnegie Mellon University transcript will include
 information on such courses as follows: Carnegie Mellon courses and courses taken
 through the university's cross-registration program will have grades recorded on the
 transcript and be factored into the QPA. All other courses will be recorded on this
 transcript indicating where the course was taken, but without grades. Such courses will
 not be taken into account for academic actions, honors or QPA calculations. NOTE:
 Suspended students may take courses elsewhere; however, they may receive transfer
 credit only if their college's and department's policies allow this. You can review the
 PCHE cross-registration guidelines here:
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/cross-college-university-
 registration.html
 6.6 Student Privacy Rights and FERPA
 This university policy notifies students of their rights under the federal Family
 Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). According to FERPA, students have the
 right to:
  Inspect and review their education records;
  Request an amendment to their education record if they believe they are
 inaccurate or misleading;
  Request a hearing if their request for an amendment is not resolved to their
 satisfaction;
  Consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information from their education
 records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent;
  File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Family Policy
 Compliance Office if they believe their rights under FERPA have been violated.
 For questions about Student Privacy Rights, FERPA or filing a complaint, contact John
 Papinchak, University Registrar, jp7p@andrew.cmu.edu, in Enrollment Services.
 You can review the university’s policy on privacy rights here:
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/privacy-rights-
 students.html
 6.7 Academic Calendar
 The Academic Calendar can be found at
 https://www.cmu.edu/hub/calendar/index.html and provides information
 on all deadlines including registration dates, class start dates, add/drop
 deadlines, exam dates and more.
 6.8 Professional Development
 The Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) at Carnegie
 Mellon is a centralized career center staffed by a team of seasoned and
 highly educated professionals who orchestrate the career exploration,
 37experiential learning, and career networking needs of students and
 alumni.
 CMU's career and professional development model is grounded in
 discipline-specific career development, experiential learning, and
 employer relations shaped by strong connections with the university's
 seven academic colleges. The center's success is founded upon a solid
 understanding of career and professional development theory, integration
 of technology, and an unwavering commitment to providing personalized
 attention towards meeting the unique individual needs of students,
 alumni, and employers. The CDPC is located on the Lower Level of the
 University Center, 412-268-2064
 The Office of the Assistant Vice Provost for Graduate Education (AVPGE)
 offers a robust schedule of professional development opportunities. Some
 are geared towards a specific population (master’s students, PhD students
 at the beginning of their program, graduate students seeking tenure track
 positions, etc.) and others are open to all graduate students (time
 management, balancing, staying healthy). A full schedule of programs can
 be found at: http://www.cmu.edu/graduate/.
 http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/career/index.html
 6.9 University Libraries
 There are three main libraries at Carnegie Mellon: Hunt Library, Mellon
 Institute Library and Engineering & Science Library with the combined
 mission of providing access and help to graduate students in finding the
 information needed, teaching graduate students to evaluate available
 information and use reliable sources. The libraries’ digital resources and
 services, including off-campus/ wireless access to databases and e-
 journals, offer online access. There are also two neighboring libraries
 open to Carnegie Mellon graduate students: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
 and University of Pittsburgh Libraries. Visit the University Libraries
 website for information about all mentioned library locations and hours,
 on-line resources and FAQ’s.
 38More information can be found at:
 http://www.library.cmu.edu/
 6.10 Computing Services
 Computing Services is located in Cyert Hall 285. Computing Services
 develops, maintains and supports the computing infrastructure for
 Carnegie Mellon students, faculty members and staff members. This
 includes the campus wired and wireless networks, public computer labs
 or “clusters,” cable television and telephone services, computing related
 documentation and support through the Help Center. In addition,
 Computing Services provides standard classroom technologies for over
 100 lecture halls, classrooms and seminar rooms across campus. The
 website contains additional information regarding The Help Center hours,
 location and contact information, computing cluster hours and location,
 the Carnegie Mellon web portal, computing security and policies and
 guidelines. Students can email the Help Center at
 advisor@andrew.cmu.edu with questions and for assistance.
 More information
 http://www.cmu.edu/computing/
 6.11 Family and Dependents Resources
 The Graduate Student Assembly website maintains a resource page for
 spouses, domestic partners and families of graduate students, including
 The Student Parent Association, new mother rooms, and links to resources
 around campus and the Pittsburgh area.
 Affiliate ID Cards are available for spouses and domestic partners of
 graduate students that allow them to access Carnegie Mellon’s campus.
 These cards are available through The HUB to spouses and partners of
 graduate students who are enrolled for the current academic year in a full-
 time graduate degree program. The card is valid for one year.
 More information can be found at:
 http://www.cmu.edu/stugov/gsa/resources/family.html
 39For more information about student and affiliate ID cards, please visit:
 http://www.cmu.edu/idplus/idcards/cardtypes.html.
 6.12 Domestic Partner Registration
 Carnegie Mellon extends certain benefits to domestic partners of students.
 Eligible students may elect benefits for their domestic partners through
 the registration process orchestrated by the Office of the Dean of Student
 Affairs, located on the 3rd floor of Warner Hall. See the web site for
 information regarding the benefits available for domestic partners,
 eligibility for domestic partner benefits, registration instructions and
 forms.
 More information can be found at:
 http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/dean/domestic_partner/index.html
 6.13 Housing
 The University does not currently offer housing to graduate students. The
 Office of Housing and Dining Services does provide community housing
 information on a very limited basis to assist graduate students who are
 seeking housing in the communities surrounding the university, including
 information on the legal aspects of renting an apartment, moving
 checklists and the off-campus housing database.
 More information can be found at:
 www.cmu.edu/housing/community-housing/index.html
 6.14 Dining
 Dining services and operations are offered through the Office of Housing
 and Dining Services. The office operates dining locations open around
 campus in academic buildings, Hunt Library and the University Center.
 These locations offer flexible hours with options from the early morning
 through late night. The Dining Service website contains information about
 dining locations, hours of operation, graduate student dining plans forms,
 nutritional information, and weekly menus for dining locations.
 More information can be found at:
 40http://www.cmu.edu/dining/
 6.15 Parking and Transportation
 Graduate students will find information about parking and availability,
 parking policies, transportation options and Port Authority Transit usage
 with a valid university ID on the Parking and Transportation Services site.
 The Parking and Transportation Services office is located in the lower
 level of the University Center, LL#8. There is limited parking on campus
 and the varying permit rates can be found on the website. All parking
 areas of campus are either by permit, metered or by the hour in the
 garage. Parking and Transportation Services will ticket any car parked in a
 permit area without a permit or at an expired meter. The city monitors the
 metered parking along Margaret Morrison, Frew and Tech Streets and will
 ticket at expired meters as well.
 More information can be found at:
 http://www.cmu.edu/parking/
 The University offers shuttle and escort services operated through
 University Police. The Shuttle Service operates several routes within
 Oakland, Squirrel Hill and Shadyside areas, as well as to university sites
 located outside of the main campus. The Escort Service offers vehicle
 routes within a radius of campus between 6:30 pm-6 am daily. Information
 regarding up-to-date shuttle and escort schedules, pick-up/drop-off
 locations, routes and usage policies can be found at:
 www.cmu.edu/police/shuttleandescort/.
 SafeWalk provides another option to campus community members
 walking across and around campus during late-night hours. SafeWalk is a
 student volunteer organization that provides campus escorts for all
 members of the Carnegie Mellon community. SafeWalk operates nightly
 during the regular academic year (except certain holidays and break
 periods) from 10pm until 2am. Students, faculty and staff may request an
 escort by calling 412-268-SAFE (8-7233 from a campus phone), by
 approaching an escort team, or by stopping by the SafeWalk dispatch area
 in the University Center, Lower Level near the Post Office Package Pick-
 41Up window between 10pm-2am. SafeWalk will escort to locations
 approximately one mile from campus. Additional SafeWalk information
 can be found at:
 www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/safewalk.
 6.16 Copying, Printing and Mailing Services
 Carnegie Mellon offers community members easy access to FedEx, copy
 centers, printing and mailing services, and postal services. More
 information regarding these services, locations and contact information
 can be found at the provided link.
 More information can be found at:
 http://www.cmu.edu/student-
 affairs/theword/campus_resources/copyprintmail.html
 6.17 University Center
 The University Center is a centerpiece of the campus that provides a space
 for special events, physical fitness, student organizations and various
 activities, as well as accommodating retail and dining services. As the
 campus crossroads, the University Center functions as a place for students
 to interact, get involved and enjoy new experiences. Visit the University
 Center website for information about campus eateries, ATMs and PNC
 Bank, fitness rooms and schedules, retail stores, scheduling University
 Center space, the public prayer room, student organizations and the
 Wright-Rogal Chapel.
 The University Center Information Desk is the location if you want to
 know about upcoming campus events or have questions about Carnegie
 Mellon in general, call the Information Desk at 412-268-2107. The
 Information Desk not only provides information about campus events, but
 also sells postage stamps, makes copies, sends faxes, distributes campus
 maps, manages a lost & found, and has information brochures about
 Pittsburgh and the campus.
 More information can be found at:
 http://www.cmu.edu/university-center
 6.18 Athletic/Fitness Facilities
 For the participant or the spectator, Carnegie Mellon offers intercollegiate
 42athletics, intramural sports, physical education classes and club sports.
 The Athletics Department also offers aerobics classes in the University
 Center and Skibo Gym as well as occasional workshops and instruction
 related to fitness and health. The Athletics Office is located in the Skibo
 Gymnasium.
 Skibo Gym facilities include courts for basketball, volleyball, badminton,
 as well as weight- training and aerobic equipment. The University Center’s
 recreational facilities include an eight- lane pool, racquetball and squash
 courts, aerobics room, fitness center and gym for basketball and
 volleyball. All users must present a current Carnegie Mellon Card to use
 these facilities.
 More information can be found at:
 http://www.cmu.edu/athletics
 6.19 CMU Alert
 CMU Alert sends voice and/or text messages to registered phones in the
 event of a campus emergency that threatens public safety or during tests
 of the system in the Spring and Fall semesters. Students can register for
 CMU Alert through the web site. More information can be found at:
 http://www.cmu.edu/alert
 6.20 Accidents on CMU property
 Please report all accidents to Charity Anderson
 (caanders@andrew.cmu.edu) and the MCDS program administrator. You
 will be asked to complete an accident report. By reporting accidents, the
 student helps minimize future harm! Serious accidents and accidents
 taking place elsewhere on campus should be reported to Campus Police,
 x8-6232 (non-emergency), x8-2323 (emergency).
 6.21 Consumer Information
 Carnegie Mellon University suggests that all current and prospective
 students be informed consumers. Please see this link for detailed
 consumer information: https://www.cmu.edu/hub/consumer-
 information/.
 43Appendix A
 2023-2024
 Highlighted University Resources for Graduate Students
 44Table of Contents
 Key Resources for Graduate Student Support 1
 Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs 1
 Office of the Dean of Students 1
 The Division of Student Affairs 2
 Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion 2
 Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities 3
 Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence & Educational Innovation 3
 Graduate Student Assembly 4
 Office of International Education (OIE) 4
 Veterans and Military Community 5
 Carnegie Mellon Ethics Hotline 5
 Policy Against Retaliation 5
 Key Offices for Academic & Research Support 6
 Computing and Information Resources 6
 Student Academic Success Center 6
 University Libraries 6
 Research at CMU 7
 Office of Research Integrity & Compliance 7
 Key Offices for Health, Wellness & Safety 7
 Counseling & Psychological Services 7
 Health Services 8
 Campus Wellness 8
 Religious and Spiritual Life Initiatives (RSLI) 8
 University Police 9
 Shuttle and Escort Services 9
 The WORD 10
 i7 Key Resources for Graduate Student Support
 8 Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs
 https://www.cmu.edu/graduate
 graded@cmu.edu
 The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs provides university-wide
 support for all graduate students and academic programs, with a focus on
 supporting graduate student success at Carnegie Mellon. Examples of
 resources offered through the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs
 include, but are not limited to:
  Website with university resources, contact information for CMU
 programs and services, possible financial assistance and potential
 funding opportunities, and various procedural and policy information
  Newsletter to all graduate students with information on activities,
 resources, and opportunities
  Professional development seminars and workshops, and various
 programming and events for the graduate student community
 The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs also works directly with the
 colleges and departments on issues related to graduate students and serve as a
 resource for developing policy and procedures. The Office of Graduate and
 Postdoctoral Affairs partners with many other offices and organizations, such
 as the Graduate Student Assembly, to support the holistic graduate student
 educational experience.
 9 Office of the Dean of Students
 https://www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/dean/
 The Office of the Dean of Students provides central leadership of the meta
 curricular experience at Carnegie Mellon including the coordination of student
 support. Graduate students will find the enrollment information for Domestic
 Partner Registration and Parental Accommodations in the Office of the Dean of
 Students or on their website. This Office also manages the Student Emergency
 Support Funding process. There are currently three forms of support funding
 for enrolled students: emergency student loans, student parental loans, and
 the Tartan Emergency Support Fund. Inquiring students will be provided with
 additional information about the various types of funding during a
 consultation meeting with a member of the Dean of Students team. Tuition
 1costs are not eligible for Student Emergency Support funding.
 College Liaisons and the Student Support Resources team serve as additional
 resources for graduate students. College Liaisons are senior members of the
 Division of Student Affairs who work with departments and colleges
 addressing student concerns across a wide range of issues. College Liaisons are
 identified on the Important Contacts list in Student Information Online (SIO).
 The Student Support Resources team offers an additional level of support for
 students who are navigating a wide range of life events. Student Support
 Resources staff members work in partnership with campus and community
 resources to provide coordination of care and support appropriate to each
 student’s situation.
 10 The Division of Student Affairs
 The Division of Student Affairs includes (not an exhaustive list):
  Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation
  Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
  Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion
  Cohon University Center
  Counseling & Psychological Services (CaPS)
  Dining Services
  Office of Community Standards and Integrity (OCSI)
  Office of Student Leadership, Involvement, and Civic Engagement
 (SLICE)
  University Health Services (UHS)
  Wellness Initiatives
 11 Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion
 https://www.cmu.edu/student-diversity/
 Diversity and inclusion have a singular place among the values of Carnegie
 Mellon University. The Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion actively
 cultivates a strong, diverse and inclusive community capable of living out these
 values and advancing research, creativity, learning and development that
 changes the world.
 The Center offers resources to enhance an inclusive and transformative
 2student experience in dimensions such as access, success, campus climate and
 intergroup dialogue. Additionally, the Center supports and connects
 historically underrepresented students and those who are first in their family
 to attend college in a setting where students’ differences and talents are
 appreciated and reinforced, both at the graduate and undergraduate level.
 Initiatives coordinated by the Center include, but are not limited to:
  First generation/first in family to attend college programs
  LGBTQ+ Initiatives
  Race and ethnically focused programs, including Inter-University
 Graduate Students of Color Series (SOC) and PhD SOC Network
  Women’s empowerment programs, including Graduate Women’s
 Gatherings (GWGs)
 12 Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities
 https://www.cmu.edu/disability-resources/
 The Office of Disability Resources at Carnegie Mellon University has a
 continued mission to provide physical, digital, and programmatic access to
 ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to their educational
 experience. The Office works to ensure that qualified individuals receive
 reasonable accommodations as guaranteed by the Americans with Disabilities
 Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students who
 would like to receive accommodations can begin the process through Disability
 Resources' secure online portal or email access@andrew.cmu.edu to begin the
 interactive accommodation Process.
 Students with physical, sensory, cognitive, or emotional disabilities are
 encouraged to self-identify with the Office of Disability Resources and request
 needed accommodations. Any questions about the process can be directed to
 access@andrew.cmu.edu, or call (412) 268- 6121.
 13 Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence & Educational Innovation
 https://www.cmu.edu/teaching/
 The Eberly Center offers a wide variety of confidential, consultation services
 and professional development programs to support graduate students as
 teaching assistants or instructors of record during their time at Carnegie
 Mellon University and as future faculty members at other institutions.
 Regardless of one's current or future teaching context and duties, Eberly’s goal
 is to disseminate evidence-based teaching strategies in ways that are accessible
 3and actionable. Programs and services include campus-wide Graduate Student
 Instructor Orientation events and our Future Faculty Program, both of which
 are designed to help participants be effective and efficient in their teaching
 roles. The Eberly Center also assists departments in creating and conducting
 customized programs to meet the specific needs of their graduate student
 instructors. Specific information about Eberly Center support for graduate
 students is found at:
 https://www.cmu.edu/teaching/graduatestudentsupport/
 14 Graduate Student Assembly
 https://www.cmu.edu/stugov/gsa/
 The Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) is the branch of Carnegie Mellon
 Student Government that represents and advocates for the diverse interests of
 all graduate students at CMU. GSA is composed of representatives from the
 different graduate programs and departments who want to improve the
 graduate student experience at the different levels of the university. GSA is
 funded by the Student Activities Fee from all graduate students. GSA passes
 legislation, allocates student activities funding, advocates for legislative action
 locally and in Washington D.C. on behalf of graduate student issues and needs,
 and otherwise acts on behalf of all graduate student interests. GSA’s recent
 accomplishments are a testament to their making a difference, and steps to
 implementing the vision laid out by the strategic plan.
 https://www.cmu.edu/stugov/gsa/about-the-gsa/strategic-plan.html
 GSA offers an expanding suite of social programming on and off-campus to
 bring graduate students from different departments together and build a sense
 of community. GSA is the host of the Graduate Student Lounge on the 3rd floor
 of the Cohon University Center. GSA also maintains a website of graduate
 student resources on and off-campus. GSA continues to rely on student
 feedback to improve the graduate student experience at CMU. Feel free to
 contact them at gsa@cmu.edu to get involved, stop by their office in the Cohon
 University Center Room 304 or become a representative for your department.
 15 Office of International Education (OIE)
 https://www.cmu.edu/oie/
 Carnegie Mellon hosts international graduate and undergraduate students who
 come from more than 90 countries. The Office of International Education (OIE)
 is the liaison to the University for all non-immigrant students and scholars, as
 well the repository for study abroad opportunities. OIE provides many services
 4including: advising on personal, immigration, study abroad, academic, and
 social and acculturation issues; presenting programs of interest such as
 international career workshops, tax workshops, and cross-cultural and
 immigration workshops; international education and statistics on international
 students in the United States; posting pertinent information to students
 through email and the OIE website and conducting orientation and pre-
 departure programs.
 16 Veterans and Military Community
 https://www.cmu.edu/veterans/
 Military veterans are a vital part of the Carnegie Mellon University community.
 Graduate students can find information on applying for veteran education
 benefits, campus services, veteran’s groups at CMU, and non-educational
 resources through the Veterans and Military Community website. There are
 also links and connections to veteran resource in the Pittsburgh community.
 The ROTC and Veteran Affairs Coordinator can be reached at
 urovaedbenefits@andrew.cmu.edu or 412-268-8747.
 17 Carnegie Mellon Ethics Hotline
 https://www.cmu.edu/hr/resources/ethics-hotline.html
 The health, safety and well-being of the university community are top
 priorities at Carnegie Mellon University. CMU provides a hotline that all
 members of the university community should use to confidentially report
 suspected unethical activity, violations of university policy, or violations of
 law. Students, faculty and staff can anonymously file a report by calling 1-844-
 587-0793 or visiting https://cmu.ethicspoint.com/. All submissions are reported to
 appropriate university personnel and handled discreetly.
 The hotline is NOT an emergency service. For emergencies, call University
 Police at 412-268-2323.
 18 Policy Against Retaliation
 It is the policy of Carnegie Mellon University to protect from retaliation any
 individual who makes a good faith report of a suspected violation of any
 applicable law or regulation, university Policy or procedure, any contractual
 obligation of the university, and any report made pursuant to the Carnegie
 Mellon University Code of Business Ethics and Conduct.
 Additional details regarding the Policy Against Retaliation are available at:
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/administrative-and-governance/whistleblower.html
 519 Key Offices for Academic & Research Support
 20 Computing and Information Resources
 https://www.cmu.edu/computing/
 Computing Services maintains and supports computing resources for the
 campus community, including the campus wired and wireless networks,
 printing, computer labs, file storage, email and software catalog. As members
 of this community, we are all responsible for the security of these shared
 resources. Be sure to review the Safe Computing
 (https://www.cmu.edu/computing/safe/) section and the University Computing Policy
 (https://www.cmu.edu/policies/information-technology/computing.html)
 Visit the Computing Services website (https://www.cmu.edu/computing/) to learn more. For
 assistance the Computing Services Help Center is available at 412-268-4357 (HELP) or
 ithelp@cmu.edu.
 21 Student Academic Success Center
 https://www.cmu.edu/student-success/
 The Student Academic Success Center’s (SASC) work to support success focuses on creating
 spaces for students to engage in their coursework and approach to learning through many
 group and individual program options. SASC supports student success by providing
 academic coaching, subject-specific tutoring, effective communication strategies,
 accommodations for students with disabilities, and language support for multilingual
 learners. SASC engages with faculty and staff to improve the coordination and professional
 development for academic advisors. Visit the SASC website for more information about
 services offered in areas such as communication and language support; language and cross-
 cultural support; and learning support.
 22 University Libraries
 https://www.library.cmu.edu/
 The University Libraries offers a wide range of information, resources, and
 services supporting graduate students in coursework, research, teaching, and
 publishing. The library licenses and purchases books, journals, media, and
 other needed materials in various formats. Library liaisons, consultants, and
 information specialists provide in-depth and professional assistance and
 advice in all-things information, including:
  Locating and obtaining specific resources
 6 Providing specialized research support
  Advanced training in the use and management of data
 Sign up for workshops and hands-on topic-specific sessions such as data
 visualization with Tableau, cleaning data with OpenRefine, and getting started
 with Zotero. Weekly drop-in hours for Digital Humanities and for Research
 Data Research Management are scheduled during the academic year. Start at
 the library home page to find the books, journals, and databases you need; to
 identify and reach out to the library liaison in your field; to sign up for
 scheduled workshops; and to connect with consultants in scholarly publishing,
 research data management, and digital humanities.
 23 Research at CMU
 https://www.cmu.edu/research/
 The primary purpose of research at the university is the advancement of
 knowledge in all fields in which the university is active. Research is regarded
 as one of the university’s major contributions to society and as an essential
 element in education, particularly at the graduate level and in faculty
 development. Research activities are governed by several university policies.
 Guidance and more general information are found by visiting the Research at
 Carnegie Mellon website.
 24 Office of Research Integrity & Compliance
 https://www.cmu.edu/research-compliance/
 The Office of Research Integrity & Compliance (ORIC) is designed to support
 research at Carnegie Mellon University. The staff work with researchers to
 ensure research is conducted with integrity and in accordance with federal and
 Pennsylvania regulation. ORIC assists researchers with human subject
 research, conflicts of interest, responsible conduct of research, export
 controls, and institutional animal care & use. ORIC also provides consultation,
 advice, and review of allegations of research misconduct.
 25 Key Offices for Health, Wellness & Safety
 26 Counseling & Psychological Services
 https://www.cmu.edu/counseling/
 Counseling & Psychological Services (CaPS) affords the opportunity for
 students to talk privately about academic and personal concerns in a safe,
 confidential setting. An initial consultation at CaPS can help clarify the nature
 7of the concern, provide immediate support, and explore further options if
 needed. These may include a referral for counseling within CaPS, to another
 resource at Carnegie Mellon, or to another resource within the larger
 Pittsburgh community. CaPS also provides workshops and group sessions on
 mental health related topics specifically for graduate students on campus.
 CaPS services are provided at no cost. Appointments can be made in person, or
 by telephone at 412-268-2922.
 27 Health Services
 https://www.cmu.edu/HealthServices/
 University Health Services (UHS) is staffed by physicians, advanced practice
 clinicians and registered nurses who provide general medical care, allergy
 injections, first aid, gynecological care, and contraception as well as on-site
 pharmaceuticals. The CMU Student Insurance Plan covers most visit fees to see
 the physicians and advanced practice clinicians & nurse visits. Fees for
 prescription medications, laboratory tests, diagnostic procedures and referral
 to the emergency room or specialists are the student’s responsibility and
 students should review the UHS website and their insurance plan for detailed
 information about the university health insurance requirement and fees.
 UHS also has a registered dietician and health promotion specialists on staff to
 assist students in addressing nutrition, drug and alcohol and other healthy
 lifestyle issues. In addition to providing direct health care, UHS administers
 the Student Health Insurance Program. The Student Health Insurance plan
 offers a high level of coverage in a wide network of health care providers and
 hospitals. Appointments can be made by visiting UHS’s website, walk-in, or by
 telephone, 412-268-2157.
 28 Campus Wellness
 https://www.cmu.edu/wellness/
 At Carnegie Mellon, we believe our individual and collective well-being is
 rooted in healthy connections to each other and to campus resources. The
 university provides a wide variety of wellness, mindfulness and connectedness
 initiatives and resources designed to help students thrive inside and outside
 the classroom.
 29 Religious and Spiritual Life Initiatives (RSLI)
 https://www.cmu.edu/wellbeing/resources/religious-spiritual/index.html
 Carnegie Mellon is committed to the holistic growth of our students, including
 8creating opportunities for spiritual and religious practice and exploration.
 RSLI has relationships with local houses of worship from various traditions
 and many of these groups are members of CMU’s Council of Religious
 Advisors. They also offer programs and initiatives that cross traditional
 religious boundaries in order to increase knowledge of and appreciation for
 the full diversity of the worldview traditions. RSLI staff are available to support
 students across the spectrum of religious and spiritual practice and would be
 more than happy to help you make a connection into a community of faith
 during your time at CMU.
 30 University Police
 https://www.cmu.edu/police/
 x2323
 The University Police Department is located at 4551 Filmore Street . The
 department’s services include police patrols and call response, criminal
 investigations, fixed officer and foot officer patrols, event security, and crime
 prevention and education programming as well as bicycle and laptop
 registration. Visit the department’s website for additional information about
 the staff, emergency phone locations, crime prevention, lost and found,
 fingerprint services, and annual statistic reports. Carnegie Mellon University
 publishes an annual campus security and fire safety report describing the
 university’s security, alcohol and drug, sexual assault, and fire safety policies.
 The report also contains statistics about the number and type of crimes
 committed on the campus and the number and cause of fires in campus
 residence facilities during the preceding three years. Graduate students can
 obtain a copy by contacting the University Police Department at x2323. The
 annual security and fire safety report is also available online at:
 https://www.cmu.edu/police/annualreports/
 31 Shuttle and Escort Services
 https://www.cmu.edu/parking/transport/
 Parking and Transportation coordinates the Shuttle Service and Escort Service
 provided for CMU students, faculty, and community. The Shuttle & Escort
 website has full information about these services, stops, routes, tracking and
 schedules.
 932 The WORD
 https://www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/theword/
 The WORD is Carnegie Mellon University’s online student handbook and
 serves as the foundation for the department (and sometimes college)
 handbook. The WORD contains university-wide academic policy information
 and resources, community policies and resources, and describes the university
 level procedures used to review possible violations of these standards. It is
 designed to provide all students with the tools, guidance, and insights to help
 you achieve your full potential as a member of the Carnegie Mellon
 community. Graduate students are encouraged to bookmark this site and refer
 to it often. University policies can also be found in full text at:
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/.
 10