Just over half of the curriculum consists of graduate courses. The remainder provides direct, hands-on, project-oriented experience working closely with CMU faculty to build systems and solve problems using state-of-the-art algorithms, techniques, tools, and datasets.

The Intelligent Information Systems degree offers students the flexibility to create their own course of study in consultation with their advisor. Students must take at least 84 units (typically 7 courses) of qualifying and elective courses that satisfy human language, machine learning, and language technology applications breadth requirements.

MIIS students gain three types of practical experience: 24 units of software development supervised by their advisor (equivalent to 2 courses); a one-semester internship (which can be waived for students that have sufficient prior professional experience); and a 42 unit capstone project done with classmates. This combination of working closely with CMU faculty, professional experience, and group-oriented work with peers helps IIS students to broaden their skills quickly.