History
Since 1880, the visionary leaders who built Emerson College have been inspired by the highest educational aspirations. They have envisioned higher education as more than pure scholarship, but rather an immersive preparation for meeting human needs and launching brilliant artistic careers.
Education
Emerson is internationally recognized as the premier liberal arts institution devoted to communication and the arts. Our academic majors and programs equip you to become a creative force in fields that shape our society, culture, and future—whether you’re a student just beginning your undergraduate college journey or an emerging professional looking to expand your expertise through graduate degrees or certificates.
Research
Emerson College is committed to creating a campus environment that supports and promotes superior research, premier creative activities, and innovative scholarly pursuits. The mission of the Office of Research and Creative Scholarship (ORCS) is to serve the Emerson community by providing information, personal assistance, services, and programs to those who seek financial support for scholarly endeavors.
Career
The Career Development Center is the hub for career education, resources, and experiential learning opportunities at Emerson College. The Center empowers students and alumni to realize their potential by providing:
- Personalized career counseling informed by industry-specific education and shaped by individual professional development.
- Innovative career development platforms and cutting-edge digital resources featuring on-demand information accessible anytime, anywhere.
- A robust employer partnership program connecting students and alumni with companies or organizations within Arts & Communications industries in the U.S. and beyond.
Distance Learning Courses
Humanities (2)
Arts, Design & Architecture (1)
Journalism & Media (1)
Medicine & Health (1)
- Master Communication Disorders
Student services
We are focused on student retention, satisfaction, and success, making sure that students have the support they need to realize their fullest potential at Emerson.
Students may encounter obstacles or difficulties associated with college life—academic, financial, personal, interpersonal, or wellness—or simply seek greater connection and support. Emerson has fantastic resources designed to address the holistic needs of students.
The Office of Student Success helps students to explore their options, navigate campus systems, and connect to services, supports, and each other. And sometimes, we just listen.
Housing services
Emerson is an urban college. We draw inspiration and ideas from the energy of our city, and vice versa. We also know city living can feel overwhelming at times. Our residence halls are a haven for rest and camaraderie, as well as a base of operations for your busy schedule. You will have the best of both worlds: the amenities of home and access to the excitement of downtown.
Our residences provide students with the basics of modern life—Wi-Fi and laundry facilities, common rooms, and dining. You’ll have easy access to the gym, library, classrooms, and state-of-the-art studio spaces.
Library services
The mission of the Iwasaki Library is to support academic research and creative work at Emerson College by providing access to resources and a flexible, welcoming learning space.
ICT services
The IT Help Desk offers a variety of technical support services available to staff, faculty, and students. These include, but are not limited to, desktop and laptop support, software installs and upgrades, extensive troubleshooting, and account management.
Medical services
Our mission is to provide quality accessible health care for students, sponsor programs that promote healthy choices, and enhance our campus community. The Center provides a range of health and wellness services and programs to meet the needs of Emerson College students.
Campus life
Here, you’ll live and learn around the corner from global news organizations, publishing companies, research institutions, literary journals, state and local government offices, advertising agencies, media consultancies, nonprofits, art museums, and more. Our downtown campus across from historic Boston Common puts you in the center of it all. Literally.
Sports facilities
We aren’t called Lions for nothing. Our student-athletes compete in 14 Division III Intercollegiate programs. We belong to the highly competitive New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) and are home to teams in basketball, baseball, cross-country, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.
Every student has access to high-quality facilities, supportive fitness staff, and a variety of physical activities, ranging from dodgeball to kickball to quidditch. Our fitness center has state-of-the-art equipment and machines, and our gym hosts open hours for shooting hoops or playing games.
Student clubs
With more than 80 student organizations, plus countless opportunities in Boston, there are plenty of chances to channel that creative energy and find your niche. Whether you know exactly which group you want to join or just want to try something new, there is no wrong or right way to go about it.
Emerson is a private, independent, nonprofit college fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges as authorized by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. Emerson is also accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (for its master's degree in communication disorders), and the Massachusetts Department of Education (education preparation programs in the Departments of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Performing Arts).