Graduate Study at Emerson

The mission of graduate education at Emerson College is to prepare communicators and artists to be future leaders in their fields. Through programming and infrastructure, Graduate Studies enhances the graduate student experience by supporting the academic success, research agendas, and professional development of graduate students, and by building and nurturing a diverse graduate student community.  Graduates of Emerson College graduate programs will reflect critically on their work, utilize and understand the power of communication technologies, appreciate the diversity of human cultures, think globally, and practice the highest ethical standards in their professions.

Emerson’s graduate programs are designed to help students develop the professional, research, and artistic skills necessary for leadership in the communication and arts fields. Because Emerson believes that communication and the arts are fundamental to the growth of societies, the College is committed to ensuring that students are knowledgeable about future trends in communication and the arts. The graduate programs at Emerson College are committed to the discovery of new ideas and knowledge so graduates will realize intellectual and creative fulfillment, personal enrichment, and their career objectives. Emerson College educates graduate students who wish to re-enter the labor market, seek a career change, or strengthen their value in their professional careers. To assist working professionals and lifelong learners, Emerson offers part-time enrollment in several of its graduate degree programs and an increasing number of online and hybrid options. Full-time enrollment is required in the on-campus Communication Disorders program, the Film and Media Art program, and the Writing for Film and Television program.

Office of Graduate Studies

In service to the College’s graduate programs, the Office of Graduate Studies provides administrative oversight to the graduate programs. It organizes orientation; publishes policies, requirements, rules, and procedures; reviews and recommends curricular and program changes; approves individual program requirement exceptions; approves master’s theses and projects; coordinates student activities and events with the Graduate Student Association (GSA); helps support graduate student research and professional development opportunities and activities; and helps organize the graduate hooding ceremonies and commencement.

Graduate Council

The members of the Graduate Council define the philosophy and goals of graduate study, establish general policies and procedures, determine admission and degree requirements, and make recommendations for program development to the Faculty Assembly, the dean of graduate and professional studies, and the Office of Academic Affairs. The Graduate Council is responsible for the interpretation and application of requirements and regulations. The Graduate Council is made up of the graduate program directors and representatives from the offices of Graduate Admission, the Registrar, the Career Development Center, Professional Studies, the Office of International Student Affairs and the Graduate Student Association. The dean of graduate and professional studies is responsible for the interpretation and application of requirements and regulations.

Graduate program directors advise students and represent their programs on the Graduate Council. Each program has a committee or committees responsible for recommending students for admission, reviewing policies, and reviewing curriculum and specific degree requirements beyond those established by the Office of Graduate Studies. Graduate program directors coordinate admission, merit awards, and student employment decisions with other campus offices; administer comprehensive exams in programs in which they are required; and consult with program faculty, their department chair, and the Office of Graduate Studies regarding any student requests for changes in their program requirements or timetable.