FAQs about the MIT Professional Education Programs

Frequently Asked Questions about the Professional Education Programs

How do I find out which of the Professional Education Programs suits my needs?

Begin exploring PEP offerings on the Compare Programs page, then click to more detailed descriptions of programs that meet your needs.

May I get an MIT degree through PEP?

No. The Professional Education Programs office does not offer degrees. The Professional Institute (PI), Advanced Study Program (ASP), Midcareer Acceleration Program (MAP), and Custom Programs (CP) all provide official MIT certificates. Additionally, students in both the Advanced Study Program and the Midcareer Acceleration Program earn MIT credit that may be applied toward a degree at a later date.

Do the programs require an admissions process?

The Advanced Study Program, which enrolls students in regular MIT classes, has an admissions process to insure that ASP students can contribute to and benefit from MIT-level courses. The Professional Institute admits students on a space-available basis. Students in Custom Programs are employees of sponsoring companies. Admissions criteria for the Midcareer Acceleration Program focuses on the ability to do MIT-level coursework and a commitment to career reentry. Anyone may view an MIT World (MITW) online video.

How much does studying at MIT cost?

Advanced Study Program students pay tuition and fees related to the number of courses they take. Professional Institute students pay short course fees, which vary depending on length of program. Fees for Custom Programs are negotiated with each company depending on course length. Midcareer Acceleration Program participants pay tuition which covers the entire ten-month program. MIT World videos are free to all.

Is financial aid available?

No. Students must secure their own financing for all Professional Education Programs. In many cases, companies pay their employees’ costs or provide tuition reimbursement.

Do I have to spend time on campus to participate?

Students admitted to regular MIT courses through the Advanced Study Program or the Midcareer Acceleration Program must meet MIT requirements including class attendance. In addition, MAP students attend August orientation and other campus sessions throughout the ten-month, part-time program. Participants in Professional Institute short courses must attend campus sessions. Custom Programs are usually held either on campus or a company’s site. MIT World videos are accessible worldwide online.

Does PEP offer access to courses in all MIT’s departments?

Advanced Study Program fellows may enroll in courses in all MIT departments. However, some MIT courses are restricted to majors. ASP students may not take more than 50 percent of their coursework at the Sloan School of Management. MAP students enroll in one regular MIT course during the fall semester. Some Sloan courses, however, are restricted to Sloan's degree students.

Are there distance learning opportunities?

The free, online streaming videos available through MIT World are available worldwide.

How long has MIT offered professional education?

MIT began offering summer study in 1898. In 1949, MIT established a Summer Session Office to expand special summer offerings to meet industry needs. The School for Advanced Study opened in 1956 to encourage postdoctoral study and intellectual interchange. The Professional Education Programs office grew from these roots and includes initiatives such as MIT World, founded in 2001, and the Midcareer Acceleration Program, launched in 2006. Learn more about MIT’s professional education history.