Microcredentials and Learning Path Courses for Nondegree Students

Students studying outside in a courtyard under a big tree on a sunny day

Gain the skills you need by taking one or more master’s courses as a nondegree student.

Advance Your Career

Build your expertise in specific high-demand areas through our microcredentials and nondegree learning paths. You will also have the option to apply credits earned in these courses to one of our master’s programs in the future. To get personalized advice on applying, financing your education, and your next steps please connect with your enrollment advisor.

“As a foundational step, I am currently enrolled at the Middlebury Institute in Public Policy and the Environment as a learning path course. Taking this course has been an incredible opportunity to introduce myself to the International Environmental Policy program and has further grounded me in my career goals.”
—Melissa Ashley (Learning Path Student)

Microcredentials

The Middlebury Institute offers a host of microcredentials in language teaching, international education management, and intercultural competence. These allow you to upskill in targeted areas without having to commit to a full master’s degree. All courses are three credits, online, and asynchronous (no required live class meetings), so you can continue working. 

You can start in any semester a required course is offered.  After you successfully complete a microcredential, you’ll earn a digital badge to share on your social media profiles and with current and potential employers.

Each microcredential requires three courses (9 credits total):

Language Foundations for Subject Area Teachers

  • Language Systems
  • Language in Society
  • Teaching and Learning Additional Languages

Core Teaching Practices for Early Career Language Teachers

  • Core Instructional Practices
  • Multimodal Curriculum Design
  • Inclusive & Intercultural Teaching Practices

Critical Intercultural Skills for Global Professionals 

Select any 3 of the following courses:

  • Introduction to Intercultural Competence
  • Power & Identities in Intercultural Contexts
  • Communication in Multicultural Settings
  • Inclusive & Intercultural Teaching Practices
  • Social Justice & Change in International Education
  • Intercultural Conflict Transformation in the Workplace

Management Skills for Intercultural Team Leaders

  • International Education Marketing and Student Recruitment
  • Managing People and Resources
  • Intercultural Conflict Transformation in the Workplace

Foundations of International Education 

This opportunity is for early-career international education professionals.

  • Principles and Practices of International Education
  • Social Justice and Change in International Education
  • International Education Policy

Managing International Education 

This opportunity is for mid-career international education professionals.

Designing and Assessing International Education Programs 

This opportunity is for international education professionals who do not have teaching or education backgrounds.

  • Program Design
  • International Education Assessment
  • Inclusive & Intercultural Teaching Practices

Learning Path Courses

Learning path courses are individual courses in any of our degree programs.

  • Explore our degree programs to see which program may contain courses you are interested in.
  • Check out the course catalog for descriptions of specific courses.
  • Review the course schedule to see the instruction mode, day, and time of your course(s) of interest.
  • Learn more about the different course instruction modes.
  • Work with our enrollment team to determine if your course(s) are available to nondegree students in your intended semester and apply.
  • Please note that you can only take up to 8 credits per semester as a non-degree student.

Costs

Nondegree students in our microcredentials and learning paths pay the same per-credit price as our degree-seeking students. 

Many employers have tuition assistance programs to help cover the costs of professional development opportunities like these courses so we encourage you to reach out to the appropriate contact at your organization to see if tuition assistance is available.

How to Apply

We encourage you to apply at your earliest opportunity, as a limited number of nondegree seats are available for each course. In your application, choose the corresponding program that houses your course(s) of interest. If your application is approved, you will be introduced to your advisor(s) and register for your course(s) during orientation.

Start Term

You can take classes in the fall, summer (online only), or spring semester. Note that many courses are only available in one semester and not the others.

Admission Prerequisites

These courses are designed for both U.S.-based and international professionals who either:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree OR
  • are current undergraduate students at Middlebury College or one of our partner colleges/universities.

Application Checklist

The online application requires the following information:

  • Personal information
  • Financial support
  • Education background
  • Professional background
  • Career goals
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • $65 application fee: waived for Institute alumni and employees of our partner organizations

Start Your Application

  • Select Non-Degree or Certificate in the key questions section
  • Select the appropriate program for your course(s) of interest.
    • If you are interested in courses across multiple programs for the same semester, pick the program you would like to be affiliated with.

Please be advised that microcredential and learning path courses do not make international students eligible to obtain a visa to study in person in the U.S.

Convert to Degree-Seeking

As your career goals evolve, you may decide you would benefit from a full master’s program. As a degree-seeking student, you will have access to the Institute’s full range of resources, including professional development and career fairs. Once you have taken a nondegree course, you will have a simplified application process to enter the degree program. Please visit the How to Apply page for your program of interest to review the degree admission requirements.

To get credit toward a degree for the courses you take as a non-degree student:

  • Take the non-degree course(s) for credit (not audit).
  • Pass the non-degree course per the course requirements.
  • Your non-degree course(s) must be part of the curriculum of the degree program. Note that some courses are listed under one program but can count in multiple programs (especially as electives).
  • Online non-degree course(s) can only be applied to an online degree.
  • Complete the master’s within five years of the first non-degree course you want to count toward the degree.
  • Contact the associate dean of academic operations and program chair to get confirmation.