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.
Auditing MIT Courses (Not for Credit)
It may be possible to audit a course (sit in on a class without receiving a grade or academic credit). When auditing a course:
- Ask the professor teaching the course for permission.
- Register for a course as a “listener.”
- Pay course tuition. (Tuition assistance is not available for audited courses.)
Taking MIT Courses for Credit
To officially register part-time for an individual MIT course (not toward a degree):
- Apply through the Advanced Study Program.
- Pay course tuition. Postdoctoral associates may be eligible to use the Tuition Assistance Plan to pay for one Advanced Study Program course per term.
Taking Courses Toward a Degree
Anyone taking a course toward a degree at MIT must follow admission procedures for admission to that program. In most cases, a scholar cannot take full-time courses toward a degree and simultaneously be on appointment at MIT.
Updated August 16, 2024