Student Services

The Iwasaki Library collaboratively cultivates the Emerson global research, learning, and creative community by prioritizing the development of IDEAS: inclusivity, diversity, equity, accessibility, and sustainability within our collections, services, and spaces.

The Library aligns its resources and services as a foundation of research, learning, and creation. It does this by analyzing data when available, anticipating needs when possible, and experimenting when feasible. The Library will embrace change in its systems, services, and job roles to continuously improve over time.

The Iwasaki Library is central to the Emerson global community as a valued facilitator, partner, and catalyst for research, learning, and creation on campus. It equips individuals with the skills and agency to pursue lifelong learning and share in the joy of brightening the changing cultural, social, political, and civic life around us.

The Library website is the gateway to its full array of collections, services, and spaces. The Library’s collections include research databases, journals, books, ebooks, and streaming media items. Databases include content from over 200,000 journals and newspapers as well as statistics, images, and streaming videos. The Library’s discovery service allows users to search across dozens of databases at once. 

The Emerson College Archives & Special Collections collects and provides access to archival and special collections focusing on the history and development of the College (including student groups), theater, journalism, and other topics related to the College’s curriculum. The American Comedy Archives is one example of a special collection that focuses on collecting materials related to the writing, producing, directing, and performing of American comedy in all its forms.

Additionally, the Library’s memberships in the Fenway Library Organization (FLO) and Commonwealth Catalog (ComCat) provide access to the collections of other libraries in Massachusetts. Materials can be requested online and delivered directly to Emerson. Students can place requests to borrow materials from libraries all over the country through interlibrary loans. 

Graduate students working on a thesis, creative work, or research-intensive project can schedule a consultation with a librarian or archivist for in-depth research help. 

The Library offers a variety of study spaces ranging from armchairs to carrels to tables and small study rooms, including a sensory-friendly one. Computers include library-use laptops, iMac workstations, an adaptive technology workstation, scanners, and a classroom with iMacs. Ten of the study rooms are equipped with large screens that can be used for collaborative work or viewing media.

For more information about the Iwasaki Library, please visit the website, call 617-824-8668, or email library@emerson.edu.

Emerson IT, the Technology & Media Division, offers unified support for a robust array of innovative and sustainable technology solutions to empower the creative pursuits of the College community, both on campus and online.

Hundreds of computers and several printers and scanners are installed in classrooms and labs throughout the Boston campus for use by students for class and personal use. Industry-standard applications are available, including Adobe Creative Cloud, Autodesk Maya, Avid Media Composer, Final Cut Pro, Final Draft, Microsoft Office, SPSS and Zoom. Students are provided network storage space for real-time and collaborative video editing. Enrollment in the relevant coursework grants access to specialty labs featuring virtual reality equipment, large-format photo printing, color-calibrated monitors, graphics tablets, and film and photo scanners.

Each student’s Emerson account includes secure access to email, online storage, lab workstations, printing, video conferencing, and high-speed internet all over campus. Using their Emerson email, students can also download Adobe Creative Cloud, Autodesk Maya and AutoCAD, Avid Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve, Microsoft Office and Unity onto their personal laptops for free. Academic resources provided include Google Workspace for Education, Canvas for online course management, video hosting, and secure cloud data storage; as well as Zoom for online conferencing.

Access to professional quality media production equipment is available, to students taking certain VMA and Journalism courses, in our Media Technologies and Production studios, postproduction labs, newsroom, Journalism facilities and as lent out through our Equipment Distribution Center (EDC). The EDC, located on Avery Street in the Boston campus, also lends basic portable production equipment to active students taking classes in any department.

The Help Desk, located on the fifth floor of the Walker Building, offers assistance to all students, faculty, and staff with any technology-related questions, including desktop and laptop support, classroom technology assistance, software issues and account management. The Help Desk also lends computers and some media equipment including laptops, adapters, iPads, webcams, and some simple presentation equipment.

During the academic year, the Help Desk is open seven days a week and until 10:00 pm on most weeknights - visit the Help Desk or call at 617-824-8080. Students can also access the IT website atit.emerson.edu for step-by-step guides, equipment reservation, or to submit an online help request.

Emerson’s Career Development Center is committed to assisting graduate students in planning for the future by promoting the skills needed for long-term career management. This includes developing sound career planning and management strategies, as well as assisting with internships (credit bearing or not) during their academic program. Meet with the Career Development Center to hone job search skills that will guide you through your Emerson experience and beyond.

The office’s many offerings include the following:

• Individual assistance with self-assessment, career exploration, career decision making, internship/job searching, résumé/cover letter writing, and other career-related issues
• Extensive resources focused on communication- and arts-related career exploration materials, industry guides, trade publications, and career education for international students
• Career- and industry-related speakers, panels, and events
• Résumé writing, interview preparation, and other career-related education
• Assistance with internship search including options for academic credit
• Job search preparation, including networking and mentoring opportunities with alumni and other industry professionals 
• Online job and internship listings, internship fairs, and much more

English Language Learning (ELL), as part of the Office of International Student Affairs (OISA), supports multilingual international students and non-native English speakers in navigating language and culture at Emerson and beyond. We provide students with resources to continue developing their English skills to advance their academic, personal, and professional success.  ELL provides assessments, programming, and advocacy for Emerson’s international multilingual community, as well as academic support and coursework designed to help students gain knowledge and increase confidence in the United States system of higher education. ELL offers free English language courses, housed within the Communication Studies Department and taught by professional ELL instructors, in speaking, writing, and professional communication. These courses are designed for graduate students, with undergraduate students having the option to participate, and focus on preparing students for academic success, a deeper understanding of US culture, and professional careers beyond Emerson College.

The Office of Internationalization and Equity (IE) provides leadership in comprehensive internationalization and intellectual innovation using equity, access, and social justice (EASJ) principles as the foundation for this work. IE fully utilizes the College’s Boston, Los Angeles, and Netherlands campuses to support internationalization and equity initiatives, such as:

1. Offering students unique, excellent and inclusive global learning experiences;

2. Recruiting and supporting international and/or diverse students and scholars;

3. Internationalizing the curriculum;

4. Providing Emerson faculty with international and EASJ development opportunities;

5. Developing and implementing “global portals” that create new flexible models for providing an Emerson education around the world.

Dr. Anthony Pinder, Vice Provost for Internationalization and Equity, and Rebekah Dale, Associate Director, Education Abroad and Domestic Programs, also act as  institutional representatives for several fellowships available to graduate students, such as the Fulbright Program, Point Scholarship, Marshall Scholarship, Rhodes Scholarship, and others. For more information, visit emerson.edu/departments/internationalization-and-equity.

The Lacerte Family Writing and Academic Resource Center (WARC) offers a variety of academic support services to all Emerson students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The center provides individualized consultations on all phases of the writing process. In addition, the center offers support in study strategies, including time management. For international students who are non-native English speakers, appointments focused on language and grammar development are also available. Professional academic support specialists are on staff to assist students with specific needs and requests. The WARC’s goal is to help students develop strategies and skills necessary for academic success. 

Students can book appointments directly with academic support consultants online, or meet with one of our professional staff to form a support plan by emailing warc@emerson.edu. For more information about the WARC, please visit us at emerson.edu/warc.

The Office of Alumni Relations is your gateway to a network of alumni eager to support you now and after graduation. As an Emerson College student, you can tap into this community both nationally and internationally, making connections that matter.

Dive into Emerge, our interactive online hub where you can network, explore career opportunities, and find or become a mentor. Get started today at emerge.emerson.edu! Plus, we host various events and programs designed to connect you with seasoned professionals who are ready to offer their insights and guidance.

Make the most of these opportunities to engage with alumni who are excited to support your journey. For more details, reach out to us at alumni@emerson.edu.

After graduation, you can continue to benefit from our powerful alumni network by staying active in the Emerge platform, attending virtual and in person events, and supporting today’s students financially with gifts to the Annual Fund.

Alumni can stay informed by reading Expression magazine, available both in print and online; engaging with our social media channels; and reading the office’s monthly e-newsletter. For more information and to keep your contact information current (we can only support you if we know how to be in touch!) please visit emerson.edu/alumni.

The Office of Research and Creative Scholarship (ORCS) works to advance the College’s mission by assisting faculty, staff, and students in seeking external funding (grants, fellowships, restricted gifts, and contracts) to support their research, scholarship, and creative work. ORCS assists in identifying sources of external funding, and supports faculty in all aspects of applying for, and managing, grants and fellowships. ORCS also manages the application process and management of numerous internal funding initiatives, and is responsible for ensuring that all funded activities are compliant with federal, state, and College policies. 

With regard to graduate students, the office maintains funding source lists and databases, and can assist students with identifying and applying for grant-funded research assistantships and fellowships. Contact ORCS@emerson.edu for more information.