The Department of Marketing Communication in Emerson College’s School of Communication offers an accelerated master’s track for selected Emerson undergraduates to complete a Master of Arts (MA) in Strategic Marketing Communication in just one additional year after completing their undergraduate degree.
Benefits of the 4+1 Master’s Program
The 4+1 format is a fantastic opportunity for current Emerson students who are interested in pursuing a master’s-level qualification to jumpstart their careers while still obtaining a graduate degree.
- Accelerated study. Students who are accepted to the program will be allowed to take master’s (600-level) classes during their senior year. These classes will be double-weighted, counting toward both the bachelor’s and the master’s degrees. By taking these classes during senior year, students will complete up to 3 of the 9 required courses before the end of the bachelor’s degree. This accelerates the pace of the master’s degree, making it possible to complete both the BA and the MA within five years.
- Cost savings. Any 600-level credits that students take while they are still registered for their bachelor’s degree will be charged at the undergraduate tuition rate, saving lots of money on tuition! A maximum of 16 600-level credits can be double-counted and charged in this way. Assuming that the student’s status as a full-time student is maintained, their financial aid will not be affected while they are still enrolled as an undergraduate student.
- The Emerson Edge. The 4+1 format requires the same number of graduate credits as a normal master's degree, meaning students can graduate with their master’s sooner and bring a competitive edge to the communication industry.
Curriculum and Eligibility Requirements
All Emerson undergraduate majors are eligible to apply except those graduating with a BFA. Students should contact their advisor for specific details.
Students are eligible to apply for the 4+1 program in the first semester of their junior year.
The 4+1 will require students to take four graduate-level courses. Each course will be taken during their senior and one year post-undergraduate graduation.
A maximum of four graduate courses (16 credits) may be taken in the senior year. The four courses are:
| Course | Semester |
|---|---|
| MK601 Introduction to SMC (Seminar) | Fall Semester |
| MK610 Brand/Marketing Management | Fall Semester |
| MK636 Creative Thinking & Problem Solving | Spring Semester |
| MK669 Behavioral Economics | Spring Semester |
It is strongly advised that interested students meet with Graduate Program Director Brenna McCormick and Academic Advising by the start of their junior year in order to determine eligibility and/or plan to meet the prerequisite requirements of the program.
Application Requirements
Students apply during the first semester of their junior year. Application requirements include:
- Graduate Admission Application
- Transcript of grades
- Resume
- One letter of recommendation
- No GRE required
- Students applying for the 4+1 program should have a strong academic record. If accepted, students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average at the graduate level. In addition, courses in which a grade below B- is earned will not be credited toward any graduate degree. This includes courses taken at the graduate level while enrolled as an undergraduate student.
- Admission Essay: Emerson College's graduate programs form a vibrant and engaged community of creative artists, professionals, scholars, and clinicians who all believe in the power of language and communication to transform society. Your careful responses to the following prompts will help us determine if the program you are applying to is the right fit for you. Please answer each prompt as thoughtfully as possible.
- How does the focus and curriculum of the 4+1 Strategic Marketing Communication program align with your experience and goals? What particular aspects of your current and/or future work do you hope to develop while in graduate school? 500 words.
- Drawing on your personal, professional, creative, and/or academic experience, please share an example of a time that you overcame an individual or collective challenge and the approach you took to address that challenge. 250–500 words.
- The mission of Emerson College is the betterment of society through communication and the arts. With this in mind, what impact do you want your work to have? 500 words.
Have questions about the application requirements? Please feel free to contact Charlotte Coberley, the Graduate Admission representative for this program, at charlotte_coberley [at] emerson.edu (charlotte_coberley[at]emerson[dot]edu).
Application Deadlines
Fall 2024
November 1 (First semester Juniors apply now to begin the 4+1 program in Fall 2025)
Spring 2025
April 1 (First semester Juniors apply now to begin the 4+1 program in Spring 2026)
Upcoming Events
4+1 Communications Studies (MA) In-Person Information Session
October 3, 2024, 12:30 p.m. EDT
The Owens Multipurpose Room at 172 Tremont St.
Interested in learning how a 4+1 program at Emerson can help you get a leg-up in your communications career? Join Emerson Grad Admissions for an in-person, Communication Studies (MA) 4+1 Information Session! During this live and in-person session, you'll get the opportunity to meet and connect with your admissions liaison, the Graduate Program Director, and representatives from academic advising. Drop in and learn about our Political Communication, Sports Communication, and Public Relations 4+1 programs, their application process, and more! We can’t wait to see you there!
4+1 Graduate Programs Information Session
October 8, 2024, 11:00 a.m. EDT
Join Emerson Graduate Admission and Academic Advising for a virtual information session and learn more about our 4+1 degree programs! As a 4+1 student, you’ll have the opportunity to receive your discounted Master’s degree in just one year.
You’ll hear from representatives from all of Emerson’s 4+1 programs, including:
- 4+1 MA in Political Communication
- 4+1 MA in Sports Communication
- 4+1 MA in Public Relations
- 4+1 MA in Publishing and Writing
- 4+1 MA in Strategic Marketing Communication
You’ll be able to ask questions, hear about our application process, and learn how you can use these degrees to get a jump start on your future.
Please note that the 4+1 program is only open to current Emerson undergraduate students.