MIT has special policies regarding non-students who wish to take any regular undergraduate or graduate courses at MIT.
MIT Coursework and Postdoc Responsibilities
Occasionally, taking an MIT course may benefit the career development of a postdoc. In those cases, postdocs should discuss the opportunity with their supervisors and postdoc key administrative contacts to ensure it does not interfere with their primary responsibilities (or visa, for international postdocs).
- Postdoctoral fellows must follow the terms of their fellowships.
- Postdoctoral associates who are paid entirely from their supervisors’ sponsored research funds must devote full-time effort to their research activities unless adjustments are made to their effort and appropriate approvals are in place.
Independent Activities Period (IAP) Courses
Time permitting, postdocs can participate in non-credit courses/activities offered during the Independent Activities Period (IAP) each January. These courses are free and cover many academic and non-academic topics.
For-Credit Courses
Postdoctoral scholars are not students, and therefore cannot formally audit or register as a listener for courses offered for credit.
If there is a course you’re interested in, it may be possible to get permission from the instructor to attend and to be added to the course website. If permitted to attend, there is no fee and no credit is granted.
MIT Professional Education
Postdocs may take courses through MIT Professional Education by registering through the Professional Education site or applying through the Advanced Study Program, when relevant. These courses charge tuition.
- Postdoctoral fellows may have an allowance in their fellowship that can be used for tuition.
- Postdoctoral associates may be eligible to use the Tuition Assistance Plan.
Other sources of funding are not available through MIT.
Other Non-Credit Courses
Other non-credit courses and their enrollment requirements are announced on postdoc channels.
Updated August 14, 2025