The MITx Online Platform features two Enrollment Tracks, which offer learners slightly different experiences.
- The Audit Enrollment Track offers free access to the Courseware, but free learners cannot pass the course or earn the Course Certificate
- The Certificate Enrollment Track offers paid access to the Courseware, and Paid learners can pass the course and earn the Course Certificate
Only learners who upgrade to the Certificate (Paid) track are eligible to earn Course and Program Certificates. MITx Online does not offer any free Certificates
The Audit (free) Enrollment Track
All MITx Online courses, with very few exceptions†, offer a free Audit Enrollment Track. The Audit Enrollment Track is free and grants access to all of the same Course Materials as Paid learners—including all of the lecture text and videos, and most of the same Course Content. Audit Learners have access to all of the Practice Coursework (which does not contribute to Course Score), and may have access to some or all of the Graded Coursework (which contributes to Course Score). Audit learners also have full access to the In-Course Discussion Forums, where they can actively participate in the course's community. However, Audit learners do not typically have access to the Final Exam, and they cannot pass the course or earn the Course Certificate.
Learners enrolled in a course session on the Audit track can upgrade their enrollment to the Certificate Track, as long as it is offered and the session's Payment Deadline has not passed.
If you're unsure about whether you want to submit payment to take a course on the Certificate Track, we encourage you to enroll on the Audit track, for free, first! You will be able to access the Courseware, including the course schedule and/or schedule, as soon as the course session starts.
The Verified/Certificate (Paid) Enrollment Track
Many, but not all, MITx Online courses also offer a paid Verified/Certificate Enrollment Track. Upgrade to the Certificate (Paid) Enrollment Track requires payment of the Course Fee—which varies by course—and grants access to all of the Course Content, including the lecture text and videos. Paid learners have access to all Coursework—including both Practice and Graded Assignments, and all Course Assessments—including the Final Exam. Paid learners have full access to the In-Course Discussion Forums where they can actively participate in the course's community. Paid learners are eligible to pass the course and earn the Course Certificate.
- For more information about MITx Online Course Certificates and Program Certificates, see this FAQ article