 MIT is a large , highly residential , research university with a majority of enrollments in graduate and professional programs . The university has been accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges since 1929 . MIT operates on a 4 – 1 – 4 academic calendar with the fall semester beginning after Labor Day and ending in mid @-@ December , a 4 @-@ week " Independent Activities Period " in the month of January , and the spring semester beginning in early February and ending in late May . 
