Master of Science
For the degree of Master of Science, the student must have satisfactorily completed a program of study of at least 66 units of graduate subject credit and a thesis, both acceptable to the department in which he or she is enrolled. If 34 units and the thesis are in a single field, as determined by […]
Master’s degree
Graduate students may pursue work leading to any of the following master’s degrees: Master of Science (SM); Master of Engineering (MEng); Master of Architecture (MArch); Master in City Planning (MCP); Master of Finance (MFin); Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Business Analytics (MBAn), and Master of Applied Science (MASc). Each graduate program is described […]
Grade reports and transcripts
Students may view their grade reports on WebSIS. Students may order either paper or electronic transcripts of their academic record for a fee. Students should note that the following conditions will not appear on an external transcript: Grades earned in cross-registered courses at Harvard and Wellesley appear on the transcripts of MIT graduate students as the closest […]
Cumulative rating
To be recommended for an advanced degree, a student must meet the minimum requirements of graduate study and research, including the cumulative rating. The cumulative rating of graduate students is computed from grades received in all subjects (excluding doctoral thesis) taken for credit as part of the student’s graduate program (including registration as a special […]
Excused absences
Excused absences and extensions for coursework In cases of verifiable personal illness, emergency, or other related matters, a graduate student may work with GradSupport to request course-related excused absences and/or extensions for: Receiving a grade of O A student who was progressing satisfactorily during the term but was absent from the final examination, did not […]
Grades
Definitions of MIT grades for graduate and undergraduate students may be found in the MIT Bulletin. Please see Graduate Academic Standards regarding academic expectations for graduate students. A petition is required to change an “O” grade to “OX;” see “Excused absences” for more details.
Graduate academic standards
MIT’s academic standards for graduate students are stated clearly in the official course catalog and here as part of Graduate Policies and Procedures. The Institute also expects complete academic integrity at all times.
Academic performance
Cumulative rating Recommendation towards an advanced degree and cumulative rating Excused absences Circumstances under which a student may be excused from missed academic work Grade reports and transcripts How to obtain a grade report or transcript Grades Grading information and notation Graduate academic standards Information and procedures regarding academic performance Subject credits and designations Information […]
Exchange Scholar Program
The Ivy Plus Exchange Scholar Program facilitates an exchange of study and research for doctoral students enrolled in participating institutions, including: University of California at Berkeley, Brown University, University of Chicago, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, Stanford University, and Yale University. Doctoral students […]
Registration holds
A student on registration hold cannot register until making arrangements with the appropriate office; check the messages section of the registration to see which office has placed the hold. The student deals directly with the office, and if satisfactory arrangements are made (for example, by paying money owed, by providing visa documents, by receiving immunizations), […]
Denials of further registration
Each term, the Graduate Academic Performance Group (GAPG) reviews the academic progress of each graduate student. Upon notice from the department or program, and concurrence by the GAPG, of a student’s failure to make satisfactory progress toward degree objectives, the student may be denied permission to continue. (See Graduate academic standards). Normally, such an action is […]
Withdrawal, readmission
Withdrawal Graduate degree programs should be completed without interruption. A student who wishes to discontinue graduate study for one or more academic terms, and is not on an approved medical leave or leave for national service, must notify their department, which will in turn notify the Registrar to record the student as withdrawn from the […]
Leave for national service
National service is defined as activities which address urgent national need (e.g. active military service) or humanitarian service (e.g. disaster relief). Graduate students in good academic standing, seeking to take a temporary leave from their graduate study, for national service in their country of citizenship, should complete the following steps: The Office of Graduate Education […]
Medical leave and return procedure
Students considering a medical leave are urged to make an appointment with a graduate dean who handles “Advising and Personal Support” to discuss their plans. Students who feel that there are any barriers to taking a medical leave are strongly encouraged to contact their program’s graduate officer or graduate administrator, or the OGE directly. International students should […]
Medical leave and return policy
Process Any registered graduate student may request a Medical Leave. Medical Leave will be granted when a graduate student is unable to, or chooses not to, participate in campus life for reasons of physical or mental health. The student must provide appropriate medical documentation, acceptable to MIT, to support the leave. Graduate students should submit […]
Medical leave and return overview
Medical leave is a period of absence for graduate students from academic and research work intended to allow time for treatment of and recovery from mental and/or physical conditions that interfere with a student’s ability to participate in campus life, including their ability to complete or make satisfactory progress towards academic goals. For graduate students, […]
Registration changes
The categories below describe various changes to student registration. Please also see Medical leave (overview, policy, and procedure); and leave for national service. Note that personal leave and childbirth accommodation & parental accommodation do not affect registration status. Add/Drop/Change Information about adding or dropping a subject Listener status Information on auditing classes, or attending classes […]
Add/Drop/Change
Students are responsible for monitoring their own registrations, and making any needed changes within the specified periods according to the Academic Calendar. Adding, dropping, and changing subjects To add, drop or make a grading status change prior to the deadline, use the regular online Add form. Adds, Drops and Changes prior to the deadline require approval […]
Tuition and fees
For more detailed information regarding the cost of attendance for the academic year, including specific costs for tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing and food as well as transportation, please visit the Registrar’s website. Graduate students who are enrolled in a research degree program, and who are not taking courses, will have their summer tuition […]
Academic terms
Fall and spring terms: Registration is completed online (https://registration.mit.edu). Students must meet the medical requirements for registration. Registration must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the end of the first week of term. Registration submitted (online) after this deadline is subject to a $50 late fee. Failure to complete registration by the end of the second week of […]
Credit
Transfer credit: In special cases, advanced subjects completed satisfactorily elsewhere may be accepted for credit toward requirements for an advanced degree (with a recorded grade of “S” for subjects with exact MIT equivalents). If the subject has no MIT equivalent, approved transfer credit should be requested through a petition approved by the appropriate departmental graduate registration […]
Medical report requirement
MIT requires that all incoming students, including Visiting Students and Special Students, submit a completed Medical Report Form. The form includes a medical history as well as documentation of immunizations and/or immunity to certain infectious diseases, as required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Physical examinations for graduate students are only required for those students […]
Retention of student status
To retain regular student status for the fall and spring terms, a student must complete the registration process according to instructions issued by the Registrar’s Office, and pay all Institute charges, or make satisfactory alternative arrangements with Student Financial Services by the deadline. An individual who has not completed the above steps by the second […]
Status of registration
A status of registration report is available to every student on WebSIS starting at the end of registration day. This report indicates the student’s program as it stands in the Registrar’s Office. The Institute holds each student fully responsible for checking the accuracy of their initial registration and any subsequent changes submitted to the Registrar’s Office, for […]
Registration requirements
Once admitted (or readmitted) to an MIT advanced degree program, a person becomes a student at the start of the term for which he or she was admitted. The person retains regular student status until graduation, unless the student withdraws, is required to withdraw, or fails to complete registration. Each student is assigned to a […]
Institute research staff
In view of their full time responsibilities on assigned research and corresponding nonacademic salary scales, Institute research staff or employees of Lincoln Laboratory or the Draper Laboratory may not be full time regular graduate students while also employed by MIT, but may, under certain conditions, be granted the status of special graduate student through the […]
Transfer student
In some circumstances, students of faculty who are newly hired to MIT wish to continue their thesis research with the advisor. Typically, these are students in the advanced stages of degree candidacy and for whom the continued advisory relationship would facilitate timely completion of the degree. Such students may seek to transfer to MIT and […]
International student
Qualifications Graduate student applicants, who are not citizens or permanent residents of the US, must have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a college, university, or technical institute of acceptable standing. The academic record and all credentials must indicate the ability of the candidate to achieve distinction in an approved program of study and […]
Serving on the board of an MIT member’s existing company
I’m a student who has been invited to join an MIT faculty or research staff member’s existing company or organization, or serve on its board. Your expertise makes you an asset! Before you accept the invitation to join or serve in this capacity, please keep in mind that there are some rules that guide your […]
Student who already formed a company
I’m a student who formed a company or organization prior to starting at MIT. Congratulations on getting your company off the ground! You are a valued member of the MIT entrepreneurship ecosystem, and we hope you will mentor your peers who follow in your footsteps. Now that you’re a graduate student, please keep in mind […]
Student looking to start a company
I’m a graduate student. I want to start a company or organization. You have a fantastic idea! You have collaborators, and you have given a lot of thought to how to organize your endeavor. Great! Before you proceed too much further, undertaking the discussions below will help avoid major issues: 1. How will you balance […]
Student leadership
Developing leadership skills is critical for your professional development at MIT and beyond. Your time as a graduate student is the perfect opportunity to advance your skills. In-person learning opportunities Online learning opportunities Funding opportunities Become a student leader
Path of Professorship
The speakers in this workshop were all so great. It is difficult to describe how inspiring it is for me when these great people… share their experience and wisdom of how they handle different problems in appropriate ways. It was also very encouraging to find out that so many people are having similar struggles and […]
Professional development
Professional development Graduate professional development is skills-based training complementary to your academic coursework that will augment any career path you decide to follow, within and beyond academe. MIT provides professional development resources to help you deepen your skills and knowledge in seven areas: career advancement, communication, interpersonal skills, leadership and mentoring, personal development, social responsibility, […]
Career planning
Plan your career MIT Career Advising & Professional Development (CAPD) understands the unique and particular career needs of graduate students and has specific staff and resources dedicated to serving PhD and Master’s students pursuing both academic and industry career paths. Visit the CAPD website to schedule one-on-one advising and access PhD and Master’s student-specific online […]
Roles & Relationships
The principles that underlie guidelines for Institute roles and relationships are open communication and respect. Graduate students and the other members of the MIT community share responsibility for adhering to these principles, and for embracing MIT’s values. Graduate students are expected to follow policies on academic integrity and conflict of interest. Additionally, all members of […]
