For part-time students, certain graduate courses may be offered on a rotating basis in two- or three-year cycles. The Master of Science degree requirements can usually be completed on a part-time basis within three to four years, in part through the substitution of additional course work, or project work for a graduate research thesis project according to the departmental stipulations. All students are encouraged to complete the degree program as rapidly as possible.

All part-time Ph.D. degree candidates must complete at least 72 paid units (equivalent to one academic year) in residence after passing the qualifying examination. Consequently, students intending to become Ph.D. degree candidates must consult their faculty advisors concerning the appropriate format and timing of their qualifying examinations and residency no later than when they have completed 45 units of course work at Carnegie Mellon beyond the M.S. degree.