We offer more than 50 courses ranging from 2-5 days in length. Subject areas include Biotechnology / Pharmaceutical; Computer Science; Crisis Management; Data Modeling and Analysis; Design, Analysis, and Manufacturing; Energy / Transportation; Imaging; Innovation; Leadership / Communication; Radar; Real Estate; Robotics; Systems Engineering; Sustainability; and Tribology. Additionally MIT Professional Education's Short Programs currently offers the following Professional Certificate Programs for those who seek advancement in a specific area beyond the completion of individual courses: the Professional Certificate in Biotechnology & Life Sciences, the Professional Certificate Program in Innovation & Technology, the Professional Certificate in Design & Manufacturing, the Professional Certificate Program in Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence, and the Professional Certificate Program in Real Estate Finance & Development.
Short Programs courses are typically offered only in the summer months: June, July, and August, and occasionally other times of the year. Courses are almost always offered once per year. Check our Courses page for more information.
In-person Short Programs courses are held on the MIT campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts unless otherwise specified in the course description. Courses in the live virtual format are held online in real-time (not prerecorded). See the individual course pages for location information.
More than 1,200 professionals with diverse personal, business, and academic backgrounds from the U.S. and around the world attend each year. They include scientists, engineers, technicians, managers, consultants, and others, and they come from industry, government, military, and academia.
Our courses vary in their content, teaching methods, level, and approach. Carefully review the course description pages, which include a description of course content, objectives, format (lecture, laboratory work, group work), and level of difficulty. If you are still unsure about whether a course is right for you, please contact us.
Our Short Programs courses are taught by MIT faculty and distinguished lecturers who have made significant contributions to their fields - and in some cases invented them. Course descriptions provide additional detail on lecturers.
Although most courses do not have prerequisites and do not require advance reading, a few do. Specific requirements, if any, are listed in the course description.
Short Programs offerings are non-degree and not-for-academic-credit programs. Upon completion of the program Short Programs awards each participant an MIT Professional Education Certificate of Completion and offers CEUs (Continuing Education Units). Additionally, participants of our Certificate Programs will receive an MIT Professional Certificate after the successful completion of their course of study.
If you are interested in earning MIT academic credit you may want to consider the Advanced Study Program.
Each course is designed to meet MIT’s high academic standards. We offer certificates of completion and CEUs (Continuing Education Units), but are not part of a larger certificate program. Many organizations will apply CEUs or an MIT certificate to training or certification requirements. Please consult the relevant organization for their specific requirements.
Some courses do require laptops; for some courses a tablet will not be sufficient. If a computer is reqruired it will be listed on the course webpage. We recommend that all participants bring laptops if they want to have computer access during their stay, as MIT has no public computers. Instructions for connecting to the free campus wireless network will be emailed to you prior to your arrival.
International participants will need to make sure they bring the appropriate adaptors in order to plug in their laptops. The outlets are 3 pronged (two flat with one polarized side, and one round ground prong) and run on AC 110v.
All of our courses are taught in English; however, we do not require TOEFL or other English proficiency tests for you to attend a course. It is up to you to determine your comfort level with the English language if you wish to attend an MIT Professional Education Short Programs course
If you are still unsure about whether a course is right for you, please contact us.
All prospective participants must complete an online application for admission. Links to applications are found on the course description pages and can be reached through our Course Catalog.
Our registration system does this in order to match applicant records and make sure your history with us is kept in one place. If you have forgotten your password, please use the link on the application page to request a new one be emailed to you.
Anyone who interacted with an MIT Professional Education group between 2003 and 2011 has a dormant account in our registration system. If you still have access to the email address you used for that interaction (which is your username), you can use the "validate" account feature. If you no longer have access to that account or would like to update your email address, please contact contact us and we'll take care of updating and reactivating your account.
We strongly recommend that each registrant complete his/her own registration form. Our system uses the email address as a unique identifier and username, meaning any subsequent registrations will overwrite previously-submitted information connected to that account. If you just need to receive documents like the acceptance letter, invoice, and receipt, you can enter your email address under "Assistant's Email" and we'll copy you on those emails. If you are registering for just one other person, you may use your email to create the account and then contact us to provide the registrant's email once the form has been submitted.
We require an email address for all participants so we can communicate directly with them regarding the course, and will also use that email on the course roster distributed to all participants. If you are registering two or more people and they are not able to complete the forms themselves, you must follow the above procedure and wait for us to confirm the email has been updated for the first registrant before attempting to complete any other forms.
We will notify you via email whether or not your application has been accepted. If you are accepted into a course, you will receive an acceptance letter and invoice via email. If you are a not a U.S. resident or citizen, you will also receive information regarding obtaining a visa. In most cases, this will occur within a few days after we receive your application. If you do not receive an email notifying you of your status within five business days, please contact us.
There are no general admission requirements, though a few courses may have prerequisites. All applications are reviewed to ensure that the applicant will benefit from the course.
First, you should pay the course fee. Your payment is due immediately upon receipt of the invoice. If this is not possible, please contact us immediately after you receive the invoice to make arrangements. Regardless of any alternate arrangement, full payment must be made prior to the course start date.
If you will require a visa to visit the U.S., please view information related to the visa process and requirements for attending a Short Programs course on our Travel and Arrival page.
Next, you should find accommodations. Cambridge can be very busy in the summertime so it is best to book your accommodations early. There are a number of local hotels within walking distance of campus. For information on where to stay during your visit to MIT, please visit our Hotels & Lodging page. We do not recommend booking your hotel reservations through third-party booking agents. Please call the hotels directly and ask for the MIT rate.
You should expect additional information via email from the Short Programs office about 2-3 weeks before your course start date notifying you where to go for registration and what time to arrive. In most cases, registration will be held on Monday morning in on MIT campus near our office (exact location will be provided in the pre-arrival email). Please add shortprograms@mit.edu to your "trusted senders" list to ensure you receive all course-related communications.
The MIT Professional Education Short Programs office communicates with participants via email. Once you have applied, please add shortprograms@mit.edu to your "trusted senders" list to ensure you receive all course-related communications.
It is highly recommended that you apply for a course at least 4-6 weeks before the course start date. Courses with low enrollment may be cancelled. If you are able to access the online application form, then registration for that particular course is still open. See Courses page for links to the course description pages.
Yes, but transferring an acceptance from one course to another must be approved in advance by the Short Programs office as additional fees may apply. Please contact us to request a transfer.
Yes, but the Short Programs office must be notified and your substitute must submit an application. Please contact us to request a substitution.
Admission and payments cannot be deferred to a subsequent year; however, you may cancel your registration and reapply the following year. The Admissions page details our cancellation policy.
The level of experience and education expected of course participants varies for each course. If you visit a course description page, you will see a graph that indicates the level of knowledge expected. In general, our courses are better-suited to professionals with some experience in their fields.
Our courses are not designed for high school students and we do not encourage them to apply. The MIT website lists several excellent programs for secondary school students.
Course fees varies by course but you can expect to pay around $900 - $1,500 per day or $1,600 - $6,500 per course. Course fees does not include housing and generally do not include any meals. See the course descriptions for the specific tuition. See Admissions for details on how to pay. MIT Professional Education reserves the right to cancel a registrant's admission if payment is not received by two weeks after acceptance if no extension has been approved by Short Programs.
Acceptance means that you have enrolled in a course and have agreed to the cancellation policy and fees. See Admissions for details on our cancellation policy.
You can pay with a variety of options, including checks, credit cards, and wire transfers. Please note that international wire transfers often include secondary bank fees that you must add to the transaction. In all cases, you will receive a receipt by email once we have confirmed payment. See the Admissions page for more information.
See the Courses page for links to the course description pages where you will find information regarding individual course tuition. Please see the Discounts section on the Admissions page for information about other discounts, including discounts for groups and ILP members.
Yes, we do attach fees should you cancel your participation. The fee increases as the program start date approaches. See the Admissions page for details regarding our cancellation policy.
Due to a change in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) policies, our programs are no longer eligible for reimbursement under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The VA requires all eligible courses to provide a grade upon completion, which our programs do not. Please contact the VA directly via the link below for more information. https://www.va.gov/landing2_contact.htm *GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
MIT Professional Education follows the U.S. State Department guidelines, which state that Short Programs participants, if they require a visa, need a tourist visa, not a student visa. Please consult the U.S. State Department to determine whether or not you need a visa. When applying for a visa, applicants should use their acceptance letter as their letter of invitation and remember that the visa application process typically takes several months. Applicants are highly encouraged to start the visa application process as soon as they have been accepted to one of our short courses. The most recent guidelines can be obtained from the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate or the U.S. State Department.
Applicants from countries covered by the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) will need to visit https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html for more information and to apply for authorization to travel to the United States.
The closest airport to MIT is Boston's Logan Airport (BOS). Plan your visit to MIT with online resources including MIT's directions to and getting around campus. Participants receive an email including the registration location 2-3 weeks before the course start date.
Boston has excellent public transportation (http://www.mbta.com). The closest subway stop to MIT is Kendall Square on the Red Line. The commute to the MIT campus by public transportation from Logan Airport is about 45 minutes to an hour. A taxi ride from the airport or train station to MIT is about $30 without tip and takes about 25 minutes depending on traffic.
There are a number of local hotels within walking distance of campus. See Hotels & Lodging for housing options and Travel & Arrival for additional information.
We do not provide parking and do not recommend that you bring your car to Cambridge. Parking on campus and in Cambridge is extremely limited. Hotels do provide parking to their guests for a fee. Garage parking in the area costs $25 to $35 a day. Please see our list of public parking facilities if you need to bring a car and are unsure of where you will park. Parkopedia is another useful resource for local parking options.
You must sign in at registration and the location of your classroom will be given to you at that time; you cannot go directly to your classroom. An email will be sent about 2-3 weeks before your course start date notifying you where to go for registration and what time to arrive. Registration times and course schedules are also posted on each of the course description pages.
Typical attire for our courses is business casual or casual. Weather in New England is quite variable and we recommend checking a weather forecast before packing. We recommend packing a light sweater or jacket regardless of the forecast, as MIT classrooms are air-conditioned to relatively cool temperatures. Some courses with lab or workshop activities may have additional clothing requirements for safety reasons; this information is included in the course description.
We recommend that you bring a laptop if you will need a computer during your stay. You will not have access to MIT computers except for classroom use if required for the course. Free wireless access is available throughout the MIT campus and you will be emailed information on how to access the wireless network prior to your arrival.
We encourage you to contact Student Disability Services (SDS) directly to discuss your disability-related needs. SDS staff are located in room 5-104 and can be reached by phone at 617-253-1674 or email at uaap-sds@mit.edu. Please copy shortprograms@mit.edu on your emails to SDS.
Most courses have a mid-morning, lunch, and mid-afternoon break. Light refreshments are generally offered during the morning and afternoon breaks. Most courses do not provide lunch. Many dining options are available on and near campus. See MIT’s where to eat page and the list of local restaurants. Please refer to the course description to see if lunch or other meals will be provided. Unless otherwise noted, meals are not included in tuition.
The greater Boston area offers world-class music, art, literary, sports, recreation, shopping, and history resources to explore. Look on Boston.com for theater and music performances, nightclubs, films, art exhibits, and restaurants.
For other interesting things to do in the Boston/Cambridge area and for information on what’s happening around town during your stay, visit Cambridge Office of Tourism, Cambridge Arts Council, City of Boston Things to Do, Visit Boston, and Time Out Boston.
For activities on the MIT campus visit events.mit.edu and http://institute-events.mit.edu/visit.
Most Short Programs courses are held on campus, however many are held in a live virtual online format (see the location section for each course). MIT Professional Education also has online classes through our Digital Plus Programs. If you wish to be informed about future courses, including online offerings, please request to be added to our email mailing list. The MIT Office of Digital Learning (ODL) offers online courses through the MITxPRO site. For information about MIT’s free online courses please visit OpenCourseWare or edX.
MIT Professional Education Short Programs addresses corporate education needs and strategic goals through custom educational programs. Our staff works with your managers to help define needs and then coordinate with MIT faculty to design a targeted, needs-based learning experience. Please visit our Custom Programs page for more information.
Courses offered at company sites can be customized from Short Programs courses involving one or more faculty speakers. These are frequently offered to provide a large group or department a solid foundation in a strategic science or technology area. Please complete the Custom Programs request form for more information.
Yes, we are going green—please be sure to bring your laptop or tablet as materials will not be printed and handed out during the courses. Participants will not have access to MIT computers and materials will only be provided electronically. However, you will have access to the MIT wireless network.
Yes; these courses were previously offered directly through the Center for Real Estate Professional Development Institute (PDI). The course "Understanding Real Estate Markets" has been renamed "Evaluating Real Estate Markets" and shortened to one day, although the main content remains the same.
The two groups are collaborating together to streamline the process for all participants.
Yes, you will receive an MIT Professional Education certificate of completion upon the successful conclusion of each course as well as a separate Professional Certificate in Real Estate Finance & Development if you are accepted to the certificate program.
You will receive an email a few weeks prior to the start of the course containing this information, as well as other important information.
MIT Professional Education does not currently offer any online courses in real estate. You can see our current online offerings on our Digital Plus Programs page.
MIT Professional Education Short Programs offers CEUs (Continuing Education Units) to participants upon completion of the program and post-program feedback and, at the end of the program, awards each participant an MIT Professional Education Certificate of Completion. If you are interested in earning MIT academic credit you may want to consider the Advanced Study Program. If you are interested in a degree program, the MIT Center for Real Estate offers a Master of Science in Real Estate Development.
In most cases reading material will be available for download in advance of the course start date. Participants should pay special attention to the confirmation email sent two to three weeks before the course starts for any instructions regarding advance reading and/or other types of assignments.
MIT Alumni status is restricted to graduates of MIT degree programs. Participants of MIT Professional Education programs become MIT Professional Education alumni.