MIIS is a set of graduate programs based in Monterey, California, and an academic part of Middlebury College. MIIS’s master’s degree programs cover a range of internationally focused disciplines to support the Middlebury mission to educate professionals to advance understanding, promote peace, and drive change in pursuit of a more just world.

Like many graduate programs across the country, MIIS has experienced overall declining enrollments over the past 15 years due to a variety of external forces. Middlebury has invested significant effort in new and innovative programs as well as a major marketing effort. Even with these measures, MIIS programs have experienced a continued and unsustainable decline in enrollments. The board considered multiple options, including continuing programs that were successful or absorbing some programs into other Middlebury areas. Ultimately, the decision to end the master’s degree programs and operations based in Monterey over two years was the only financially viable option and the board approved President Baucom’s recommendation to do so. 

As of fall 2025, MIIS will no longer accept applications for two-year degree candidates. We will continue to provide resources for students to complete their degree programs through May 2027. 

We are now more than a full year into a business plan that was implemented in spring 2024, and we have not achieved the intended targets for enrollment and program growth. Instead, we have seen a downward enrollment trend with no signs of reversing, even with the addition of new programs and an aggressive marketing campaign. These challenges will make it impossible to achieve the overall targets of the four-year plan.  

Middlebury has included MIIS programs and initiatives in its comprehensive fundraising campaigns under two presidents and has also considered multiple options—including maintaining successful programs or absorbing some of the programs into other Middlebury entities—before reaching this decision. Ultimately, the enrollment decline was too significant and showed no signs of reversing. This created ongoing deficits that increased the challenges for philanthropic fundraising. 

All employees will be employed through the end of the 2025 calendar year. Middlebury will honor faculty contracts. Any faculty who stay beyond 2027 should anticipate a new assignment of responsibility at that point. As the academic programs conclude over the next two years, MIIS will maintain the faculty and staff needed to ensure our students may complete their degrees, are provided with the same high-quality education, experiential learning and superb career support MIIS is known for. Employees whose positions will be phased out will receive at least four months’ notice. We will begin notifying staff employees August 29 and the first phase of position eliminations will take effect on January 16, 2026. 

Yes, a team from Human Resources, the Provost’s Office, and Student Affairs is in Monterey this week and will continue to provide support and resources to employees whose jobs will be affected during the next two years. Employees will receive outplacement career support, as well as support from Middlebury’s Human Resources and can access our Employee Assistance Program services. 

Summer programs held at MIIS—including the Middlebury School of the Environment, Bread Loaf School of English’s program, and the English Language School, may or may not continue to run in Monterey for the upcoming year, through summer 2026. We will use the next year to finalize plans for summer programs in other locations for subsequent years.

The online master’s degree programs in International Education Management and TESOL will be discontinued on the same timeline as the residential degree programs in Monterey.

Online degree programs in cybersecurity, localization project management, MPA in sustainability, and organizational leadership are not affected by the board’s decision.

We are committed to supporting our currently enrolled students, so that they may successfully complete their programs, with a full array of on-campus resources. MIIS credits are transferable to other institutions in accordance with the other schools’ transfer credit policies. 

Middlebury will maintain MIIS students’ academic records in perpetuity. 

Middlebury is committed to supporting our current students, including those starting in fall 2025, to be able to complete their degrees, with the curricula, student services, and career resources that have benefited all previous MIIS students. However, students who wish to withdraw and have their tuition (and where applicable, Munras housing fees) refunded may request a refund through Student Financial Services. The deadline for a full refund is September 15, 2025. Students should communicate with Student Financial Services for any related questions.  

Because Middlebury encourages all our students to complete their MIIS degree programs through June 30, 2027, all financial aid awarded by Middlebury will continue to be available to students through that period.  

We understand that students will have more questions, and we will be offering information sessions and drop-in office hours to allow students to discuss their individual questions and concerns.

Middlebury will maintain its status with SEVIS and as long as students continue to meet all eligibility requirements (i.e., remain enrolled full-time and in in-person courses), and this should have no impact on their SEVIS record and visa status. Furthermore, students will get all the necessary support to acquire their Optional Practical Training (OPT) prior to their degree completion as long as they meet all eligibility requirements. Students with questions about their particular situation should email ISSS or make an appointment with International Student and Scholar Services. 

Several online programs and some shorter in-person programs are accepting enrollment in 2026. Visit our program availability webpage for more details.