Families
Your Emersonian will thrive in a supportive and welcoming environment.
See them off with peace of mind.
One of Emerson’s top priorities is to provide a healthy, safe, and supportive learning environment for our students. We offer many services that promote students’ physical and mental health and well-being, as well as their academic and professional success.
Ready to join the Emerson community?
Congratulations on your loved one being selected for Emerson’s incoming class. We are thrilled to prepare them for their future as they experience all Emerson has to offer.
What Your Emersonian Needs to Succeed
We are proud to provide resources that foster growth, focus, and connection.
Support Networks
At Emerson, your student will make connections before the semester starts.
Orientation
Welcome to Emerson’s Orientation program—the cornerstone of our Week of Welcome! This dynamic series of events takes place approximately one week before each semester begins, designed specifically to help incoming students seamlessly transition into college life.
During the excitement of Move-In day and throughout specialized academic introductions, Orientation provides carefully crafted experiences that connect your student with the Emerson community and the vibrant city of Boston.
Throughout this critical transition period, our team is committed to providing you with everything needed for a successful start to your Emerson experience—both socially and academically. We look forward to welcoming you and helping you feel at home in your new community!
Benefits of Orientation
- Build meaningful relationships with fellow students
- Meet dedicated faculty and staff eager to support your journey
- Explore campus facilities and essential resources
- Understand Emerson’s unique culture and community values
- Get acquainted with academic expectations and curriculum
- Discover the rich variety of co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities
Engaging Parents and Families
We host a Parent and Family Orientation session during our Week of Welcome. Additionally, we host a Family and Friends Weekend later in the Fall semester, an event that gives family members the opportunity to take classes with Emerson faculty, attend theatrical performances, and participate in fun campus activities.
EmConnect
Emerson offers a number of helpful online platforms that help students build their professional network and gain crucial hands-on learning experience. Students use EmConnect, our online directory for registered student groups, to access information on 150+ extra- and co-curricular activities and organizations.
Office of International Student Affairs (OISA)
For those new to Boston and the United States, the Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) is one of the first organizations to welcome international students and their families to Emerson. And should your student decide to take advantage of our study-away programs in Hollywood or the Netherlands, OISA will be there to support them.
OISA Services
- Advising on matters in immigration status, U.S. employment authorization, and international travel
- Collaboration with campus partners to enhance community belonging, academic success, and career preparedness
- Coursework and opportunities for English Language Learning
Portals for Parents and Families
Stay connected with your student’s experience at Emerson by joining our Parent and Family Portal. You’ll receive newsletters and important announcements. We also have a private Facebook group, where you can connect with fellow parents and families of Emersonians.
Academic Support
We’re here to support your student’s academic success.
Lacerte Family Writing and Academic Resource Center (WARC)
The WARC’s mission is to develop confident and independent writers and learners by providing robust resources for intellectual growth and academic support. Our collective of peer tutors work with students of all levels on writing—whether it be technical, research, or creative—in addition to assisting with coursework in our liberal arts curriculum. Covered subjects include mathematics, psychology, philosophy, economics, literature, and whatever your student needs help with.
WARC Offerings
- 1-to-1 peer tutoring for help on assignments and projects
- Dedicated tutors who focus on work offered in specific courses
- Academic success consultants who have experience in developing strategies for test-taking, effective reading, and time management
- Conversation hours and consultations for English language learners
Iwasaki Library
Our Library is central to the Emerson global community as a valued facilitator, partner, and catalyst for research, learning, and creation on campus. Library staff equip 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. They support academic research and creative work at our institution by providing access to resources and a flexible, welcoming learning space.
Library Benefits
- Knowledgeable and courteous staff to assist with information access
- Private study rooms and common quiet areas for individual and group work
- Access to rich collections and databases that support student research and coursework
- Events and programming, including in-person and digital exhibits
Work, Play, Learn.
Welcoming spaces at the Iwasaki Library allow for us to hold gatherings throughout the year—like Relaxapalooza, a bi-annual event inviting students to the Library to unwind and de-stress during Finals Week.
Professional Development
Emersonians gain desirable skills not only through coursework, but also through internships and other industry opportunities.
Career Development Center
The Emerson Career Development Center (ECDC) helps students find internships during their time at Emerson and supports them in their job search after graduation.
The Center is staffed with dedicated advisors who will make sure your student is prepared for the working world, a perfect complement to the purpose-driven and experiential educational experience we offer. Then when it’s all done, our global network of 51,000+ alumni offers impactful internship, employment, and mentorship opportunities.
ECDC Services
- Hands-on resume, cover letter, and portfolio reviews
- Career coaching and interview preparation
- Handshake and Emerge, our online platforms where Emersonians can connect for job postings, industry opportunities, mentorship
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) information for international students
Health and Wellness
Emerson provides dedicated on-campus services and spaces for mental and physical health resources, community safety, and accessibility needs.
Wellness Center
Our Wellness Center provides inclusive, accessible, and comprehensive services, including counseling and mental health services, physical health services, wellness promotion, and community health engagement. We provide inclusive, accessible, and comprehensive services to Emerson students, and we strive to empower them to actively engage in their well-being and healthy decision-making.
How Emerson Supports Wellness
- Counseling services, including individual therapy, group therapy, and peer support groups
- Walk-in immunization clinics for cold, flu, and other respiratory illnesses
- Resources for LGBTQIA+ students, including gender-affirming care
- Illness diagnosis, treatments, and referrals, in addition to routine physical and athletic exams
Fitness Center
We understand that the physical and emotional well-being of our students impacts their success inside and outside of the classroom. Our new Fitness Center, opened in November 2024, sports brand-new cardio equipment, weights, and spaces for classes.
Offerings and Equipment
- State-of-the-art facility that spans 13,000 square feet across two floors
- Cardio and strength training machines, such as Life Fitness Aspire treadmills, Hammer Strength HD Airbikes, cable stations, and dumbbell areas
- Studio space for yoga, Pilates, and indoor cycling
- Gender-neutral and individual men’s/women’s locker rooms, with full showers and restrooms
Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
We strive to create an inclusive campus environment for students, allowing them to have full access to courses, programs, and activities during their time at Emerson. Our philosophy is one of independence and self-determination. Students with disabilities—just like all students—have control over their lives at Emerson and are responsible for making decisions about the choices available to them.
What SAS Handles
- Providing guidance on documentation requirements for accommodation requests
- Arranging academic accommodations, such as notetakers or exam scheduling
- Assisting with housing accommodations for accessible fixtures and other needs
