What you need to know

A dean’s certification is an official document which certifies certain aspects of your academic record and is signed by a dean or other school official at MIT. They are sometimes used for applications to professional schools or programs, such as law or business schools.

A dean’s certification usually involves a check of your disciplinary record. However, we do not report academic probations, warnings, or required withdrawals, and we do not respond to questions regarding your general character.

Some key points to remember:

  • Requests for dean’s certifications are coordinated by the Registrar’s Office.
  • Processing can take up to two weeks, so be sure to plan ahead.
  • Read instructions carefully. Some schools require that we send your certification directly to them, while others want you to include it with your application materials.
  • All dean’s certifications come in a sealed envelope with a signature across the back flap to indicate authenticity.

What you need to do

  • Obtain the dean's certification form from the school(s) to which you are applying.
  • Download, complete, and sign our Dean’s Certification Request Form.
  • To have dean’s certifications sent to multiple schools, complete only one request form, and provide the necessary information — school names, addresses, and instructions — for each.
  • Bring your form to Room 5-117 or email it to records@mit.edu. You may also mail it to MIT Registrar’s Office, Room 5-117, Attn: Dean’s Certifications, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139.
  • We will complete the form according to your instructions and send it out on your behalf.