Program Outcomes
Computing Research at Society's Frontier
Graduates of Carnegie Mellon's Societal Computing PhD program are equipped to pioneer rigorous computing research at the crucial intersection of technology and societal systems. Our alumni excel in careers across academia, industry, and government, demonstrating the profound impact of computing innovation responsibly applied to society's toughest challenges.
Solve Big. See Beyond.
Our program attracts ambitious researchers driven by the need to tackle difficult, real-world problems in ways that create meaningful change. As a leading PhD program at a top-tier university, we offer:
- Rigorous Research Training: Develop specialized, interdisciplinary skill sets grounded in computing excellence and systemic thinking.
- Renowned Faculty Mentorship: Collaborate directly with pioneering professors who lead the field and guide impactful research.
- Flexible and Interdisciplinary Curriculum: Customize your academic experience to align with your ambitions, facilitating exploration across computing, societal systems, policy, and ethics.
Diverse Careers, Real Impact
Our alumni's career outcomes speak clearly to the value and versatility of our approach:
- Academia (46%): 20 graduates serve as professors at leading global universities—including positions at Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern, and the University of Chicago—shaping future research and education at society's technological frontier.
- Industry (34%): Alumni hold influential roles in top technology companies and innovative startups, with 12 serving as research scientists and engineers at organizations like Google and Amazon, and 7 leading as founders, directors, VPs, or CTOs at forward-thinking startups.
- Government & Public Sector (13%): Our graduates hold key positions at institutions such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and military research divisions, contributing technical expertise responsibly to policy and governance.
Join a Community of Purposeful Researchers
At CMU's Software and Societal Systems Department, the Societal Computing PhD program cultivates a community of scholars committed to computing excellence, responsible innovation, and purposeful scholarship. We welcome passionate, driven researchers ready to explore new possibilities at society's technological frontier.
Because rigorous computing research doesn't just advance technology—it defines the future of society itself.