Graduate Admission
Emerson College
Graduate Admission: Admission - FAQ
http://admission.emerson.edu/admission/graduate/admission/faq.cfm

Frequently Asked Questions for Graduate Students

General Prospective Student & Applicant Information

International Graduate Students

Financial Information

Financial frequently asked questions are located in the 'Financing Your Education' section.

How do I apply?

You may apply in one of two ways:

What is the application deadline?

Deadlines vary by program. Please refer to the deadlines chart for specific information regarding your program.

What standardized tests are required?

  • GRE only: Communication Sciences & Disorders, Creative Writing, Journalism, Media Arts, Publishing & Writing, and Theatre Education.
  • GRE or GMAT: Global Marketing Communication & Advertising, Health Communication, Integrated Marketing Communication, and Communication Management.

TOEFL (The Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System): Applicants whose native language is not English must provide evidence of English proficiency by submitting official TOEFL or IELTS test results. (Please note that applicants from India and the Philippines are considered non-native English speakers and are required to take the TOEFL.) Emerson College's school code for the TOEFL is 3367; no department code is needed. Minimum TOEFL score: 550 paper-based, 213 Computer-based and 80 internet-based; minimum IELTS: 6.5.
Please note: TOEFL and/or IELTS is not required of students:

  • Whose native language is English
  • Who have a Bachelor's or Master's degree from an institution in a country where English is the native language (the U.S. and territories, Great Britain and territories, Australia, New Zealand, & Canada)

Students who attended a U.S.-sponsored undergraduate institution in a country other than the United States, Great Britain and its territories, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada are required to take TOEFL or IELTS.

Is there a minimum GRE/GMAT score?

No, however admission is competitive and is based on several components of the application including: academic performance, GRE or GMAT scores, personal and professional experience, letters of recommendation, writing sample (for Creative Writing and Publishing & Writing), and potential contribution to the field.

What is the minimum TOEFL or IELTS score?

The minimum score for the TOEFL is 213 on the computer based test, 550 on the paper-based test, and 80 on the internet-based test. The minimum IELTS score is 6.5.

What is the minimum grade point average (GPA)?

There is no minimum GPA required for any program; however, ideally, applicants should have a 3.0 or higher. A more competitive GPA may also increase an applicant's chances to be awarded merit-based aid.

Are interviews required for admission?

No, however, phone interviews may be conducted at the discretion of individual Graduate Program Directors.

Do I need work experience?

No, although for some programs (like our marketing communication programs and Communication Management) work experience is helpful. In all programs, many students have worked before they come to Emerson, and many still work full-time while attending classes part-time in the evening.

How do I know if my application is complete?

Using the PIN (Personal Identification Number) and ID number found at the bottom of all correspondence from the Office of Graduate Admission, you can check the status of your application online.

Once my application is complete, how long will it take for me to receive a decision?

Complete applications, received by the merit aid deadline, will receive admissions decisions in approximately 6 – 8 weeks. Applications received after the merit aid deadline, but before the final deadline, will receive admissions decisions in approximately 3 – 4 weeks. Decisions are only provided in writing; no decisions will be given out over the phone.

How are admission decisions made?

Admission is determined by faculty committees representing individual graduate programs, and is based on careful review of the following factors: academic performance, official test scores, letters of recommendation, personal and professional experience, writing sample (required for Creative Writing and Publishing & Writing), and potential contributions to the proposed field of study.

What is the acceptance rate?

This varies from program to program and from year to year, as some of the programs become increasingly more competitive.

If I am accepted, is it possible to defer my enrollment?

Applicants to all programs, except Creative Writing and Publishing & Writing (who may not defer at all), are allowed to defer their enrollment for up to one year. Requests for deferral should be made in writing to the Office of Graduate Admission. Applicants who defer enrollment are required to pay the $200 non-refundable tuition deposit to reserve their place in the class. If the applicant does not enroll during the one-year period, he or she will be withdrawn from the college, and will have to re-apply to be readmitted.

Can I transfer credits to Emerson from another graduate school?

At the discretion of your Graduate Program Director, you may be allowed to transfer up to 8 credits from another graduate school or up to 12 credits from the Department of Professional Studies and Special Programs into your program.

How long will it take to complete the program?*

  • Communication Sciences & Disorders: 2 years, including 1 or 2 summer sessions
  • Creative Writing: 2 - 3 years
  • Global Marketing Communication & Advertising: 1 year, including summer session
  • Health Communication: 1.5 - 2 years
  • Integrated Marketing Communication: 1.5 - 2 years, including summer session
  • Journalism: 1.5 - 2 years
  • Communication Management: 1.5 years
  • Media Arts: 1.5 - 2 years
  • Publishing & Writing: 1.5 - 2 years
  • Theatre Education: 1.5 - 2 years

* These answers are based on full-time enrollment.

When does my program begin?

Fall and spring admission:

  • Communication Management
  • Health Communication
  • Integrated Marketing Communication
  • Media Arts

Fall admission only:

  • Communication Sciences & Disorders
  • Creative Writing
  • Global Marketing Communication & Advertising
  • Journalism
  • Publishing & Writing
  • Theatre Education 

How many graduate and undergraduate students are there at Emerson?

There are approximately 950 graduate students in 10 different programs. There are about 2800 undergraduates.

Is there housing for graduate students?

We do not have on-campus housing available for graduate students. However, Off-Campus Student Services provides a number of helpful resources for students searching for housing including apartment listings, realtor lists, neighborhood information, and a roommate matching service.

Is it possible to work while attending Emerson College?

Students in the Communication Sciences & Disorders and Global Marketing Communication & Advertising programs are only able to work on a limited part-time basis due to the nature of the program structure. Students in all other programs can work full- or part-time while completing their program.

How will I find an internship/job upon graduation?

The Office of Career Services offers a variety of resources for students and alumni. There are career and internship fairs, individual career advising, and career education workshops. Faculty and alumni contacts are also very helpful.

As an international student, what other materials do I need to submit with my application?

International students are required to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS. The minimum score for the TOEFL is 213 on the computer based test, 550 on the paper-based test, or 80 on the internet-based test. The minimum IELTS score is 6.5. In addition to the requirements for all applicants, international applicants must also submit:

  • $75 application fee
  • Final official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work, along with records from each university attended that indicate the number of lecture and laboratory hours devoted to each course and the grades received.
    • All transcripts and other credentials must be translated to English by an official translator and submitted along with the application. Official documents indicating degrees awarded with titles and dates conferred should also be included.
  • The International Student Form which provides information necessary to process the I-20.
  • Proof of necessary finances for study the in the United States

If I attended an American university in my home country or am fluent in English, do I still need to take the TOEFL or IELTS?

Applicants whose native language is not English must provide evidence of English proficiency by submitting official TOEFL or IELTS test results. (Please note that applicants from India and the Philippines are considered non-native English speakers and are required to take the TOEFL.) Emerson College's school code for the TOEFL is 3367; no department code is needed.  For more information about these tests, you can visit www.toefl.org or www.ielts.org.  Minimum TOEFL score: 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, and 80 internet-based; minimum IELTS: 6.5. 
Please note: TOEFL and/or IELTS is not required of students:

  • Whose native language is English
  • Who have a Bachelor's or Master's degree from an institution in a country where English is the native language (the U.S. and territories, Great Britain and territories, Australia, New Zealand, & Canada)

Students who attended a U.S.-sponsored undergraduate institution in a country other than the United States, Great Britain and its territories, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada are required to take TOEFL or IELTS.

If I have completed 15 years of education in India, am I admissible into a graduate program?

Generally speaking, students from India will need 3 years at the “college” level and one year at the university (post-baccalaureate) level to have the equivalency of a 4-year U.S. Bachelor's degree. A 3-year diploma from a community college is not equivalent.

Does Emerson offer financial assistance to international students?

International students are eligible for merit aid. They are not eligible for federal financial loans; however, they are – in some cases – eligible for alternative loans, such as MEFA loans, that are offered through private banks or companies.

What is financial certification?

The United States government requires that all international students provide proof of financial ability to pay full tuition and living expenses for one year. Applicants to Emerson College should submit a bank statement or letter from their bank or their sponsor's bank showing available funds of $32,000. Sources of support must be:

  • Original copies on bank letterhead (no photocopies or faxes)
  • Written in English
  • Indicated in U.S. Dollars
  • Signed and stamped by a bank official
  • Current – within 12 months of the proposed start date

(Please note that the funds must be liquid: real estate and forms of property are not acceptable forms of documentation.)

If the student has a financial sponsor (parent, relative, friend), then the student should submit an original letter of support from the sponsor in addition to the bank document. The name on the bank statement and the letter of support must match exactly.

Examples of acceptable forms of financial certification are available on our website.

What should my sponsor include on the letter of support?

”I, (name of sponsor and relationship to student), am financially able and willing to sponsor (name of applicant) for a minimum of U.S. $32,000 per year for graduate study at Emerson College.” Please make sure your sponsor signs and writes the date on the letter.

Do I have to submit the financial certification now, or can I wait until I know if I have been accepted?

The sooner a student submits the documentation, the sooner we can issue the I-20. It also allows for time to review the documentation and catch any errors. However, an international student's file will still be reviewed for admission regardless of the financial certification.

What else do I need to do for my I-20?

In addition to the financial certification, you must pay the $200 tuition deposit before we can issue the I-20. We also require your final Bachelor's level college/university transcript, which clearly shows that you have received the equivalent of a four-year bachelor's degree and the date of degree conferral.

The International Student Form also provides important information that helps us to issue a complete and accurate I-20.

What should I do once I receive my I-20?

You should contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consular Office to apply for your F-1 non-immigrant student visa. This process varies slightly from country to country. When applying for your visa, you will need to have already paid the $100 SEVIS fee. (More details about paying this fee are at http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/i901/index.htm).

You will need to bring an F-1 student visa application, the Form I-20, original financial documentation, your passport, letter of admission from Emerson College, and any other documents you feel are relevant to your non-immigrant visa application. You may also be required to pay additional fees when applying for your F-1 visa.