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 new 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 supports the development of innovative and sustainable technology solutions and fosters creativity and learning across the College’s global campus.

The Boston campus features lab and classroom spaces with more than 500 computer workstations providing a variety of software to support students’ academic needs and creative pursuits. Industry-standard applications are available, including Adobe Creative Cloud, Autodesk Maya, Avid Media Composer, Final Cut Pro X, Final Draft, and SPSS. 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, video conferencing printing, and high-speed internet. Using their Emerson email, students can also download Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office onto their personal laptops for free. Academic resources include Google Workspace for Education, Canvas for online course management, video hosting, and secure cloud data storage. 

The IT User Services department, located on the fifth floor of the Walker Building, offers assistance to all students, faculty, and staff with any technology-related questions. The office circulates computer and video equipment for all members of the community, including laptops, adapters, iPads, digital cameras, webcams, and audio recorders. Other services include classroom and event audiovisual support, and facilitating videoconferencing.

During the academic year, the IT User Services office and labs are open seven days a week and most nights until 10:00 pm - visit the Help Desk or call at 617-824-8080. Students can also access the IT website at it.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

emersonNEXT is a professional development program that prepares Emerson graduate students for the “next” step of their career paths through skill and career preparation workshops, guest speakers, and networking opportunities. The program, which is a joint effort of the Career Development Center, the Office of Graduate Studies, and Alumni Relations, coordinates opportunities that allow students to explore their potential beyond the classroom and see how their Emerson education can translate into the workforce and field of their choice. Contact careers@emerson.edu for more information.

All Emerson English Language Learning (ELL) initiatives are dedicated to helping students whose native language is not English and would benefit from further academic English language support. The purpose of these initiatives is to advance academic communication as well as the personal and professional development of Emerson’s international and non-native English language speakers’ community. Through assessments, referrals, and self-advocacy from the student, these initiatives provide students with the resources to enhance the skills they currently have to further their success at Emerson. Academic support and coursework are designed to help students gain knowledge, increase confidence, and acclimate to the United States and the US system of higher education.

Emerson ELL programming offers free English language courses, housed within the Communication Studies Department, in speaking; writing; professional communication; public speaking; and how to communicate effectively with administrators, professors, and fellow students. 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 American culture, and professional careers beyond Emerson College. All courses are taught by professional ELL instructors with years of teaching experience.

The Office of Internationalization and Equity (IE) is charged with utilizing Emerson’s collective talent, energy, and human and financial resources to support compelling transformation and change in international education across disciplines and around the world. IE plays a leading role in helping students realize their leadership potential with the full understanding of this country’s role in international affairs and national civic improvements.

In this regard, IE provides leadership in comprehensive internationalization and assists the College in realizing its goal of being the world’s leading institution of higher education in arts and communication. To support this intent, the following seven initiatives frame the comprehensive internationalization work of the IE Team:

1. Develop deep and strategic global partnerships

2. Provide students with unique and excellent global learning experiences

3. Internationalize the curriculum

4. Recruit and support international students and short-term summer program participants

5. Provide Emerson faculty with international and development opportunities.

6. Explore and implement additional “global portals” to create new flexible models for providing an Emerson education to students around the world.

7. Fully utilize the Boston, Los Angeles, and Netherlands campuses to support internationalization and global engagement.

Dr. Anthony Pinder, Vice Provost for Internationalization and Equity, also acts as the institutional representative 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-global-engagement.

The Vice Provost for Internationalization and Equity also leads and collaborates with a team of content experts on access, diversity, and equity initiatives to unite intellectual innovation and equity. IE recognizes this important work as ever evolving and to ensure the advancement of access, diversity, and equity within Academic Affairs the Vice Provost and the Team partners with the leadership of all three Schools, Emerson LA campus, Kasteel Well campus (the Netherlands), and the Global Pathway and Portal Programs. IE’s aim is to provide clarity, effective guidance, leadership, and accountability as it works together to realize institutional goals.

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 Engagement supports alumni as they connect with each other and the College for life. Working closely with the Alumni Board of Directors, the Engagement Office encourages alumni to participate in regional and affinity alumni chapters; attend virtual and on-campus events; and support the College financially through the Empower Fund.

Alumni can connect, recognize, support, and celebrate each other and current students on Emerge. Emerge is an online community where Emersonians explore opportunities in their industries, reconnect with old friends, make new connections, promote their work, share resources, and find or be a mentor.

Alumni can stay informed by reading Expression magazine, available both in print and online; engaging with social media channels; and reading the office’s monthly e-newsletter. For more information, 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) 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.