Emerson Master Classes is a dynamic initiative that creates meaningful, expert engagement among alumni, parents, friends, and others with the student body.

Building on opportunities that have previously existed, Emerson Master Classes is a new opportunity offers a formal series of coordinated and organized events. Alumni, partners, parents, and friends are encouraged to share their expertise with Emerson students and alumni at events at Emerson’s campuses in Boston, Los Angeles, and at Kasteel Well, as well as online.

A pilot of this program is scheduled to start in Spring 2025, with a full rollout in Fall 2025.

There are four types of involvement opportunities for those who are selected to participate:

Opportunities

There are four types of involvement opportunities for those who are selected to participate:

Classroom Visiting Lectures 

Facilitated and coordinated opportunities for an Emerson guest to lecture in the classroom of an existing course as part of the syllabus or curriculum.

Master Classes 

Facilitated and coordinated opportunities for an Emerson guest to lecture in a large classroom or in a small theater for a particular discipline.

Distinguished Master Classes 

Facilitated and coordinated opportunities for an accomplished and highly recognized Emerson guest to lecture in a large theater or other large setting in a cross-disciplinary subject matter appealing broadly to the Emerson community.

Distinguished Emersonian-in-Residence 

Facilitated and coordinated opportunity for an Emersonian to spend an extended period of time at one of the College’s campuses. This special residency would involve engagement in the classroom, with small groups, with large audiences, and even with performances, talk backs, or other special events.


Get involved!

The Master Classes Team encourages nominations from the community for those who wish to be considered for participation in this curated program. We are currently in a pilot/soft launch phase of the initiative and will be rolling out the program more broadly in Fall 2025. At that time, Master Classes Team will work to match suggestions from faculty and staff for lectures and themes with the nominations from alumni, Trustees, parents, and partners. The team will review all suggestions and nominations but cannot guarantee selection in the program.

Submit your ideas to nominate yourself or another Emersonian to be considered for one of the Emerson Master Classes opportunities, or to submit ideas and suggestions on lecture themes and format.