Academic Standing & Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Students are expected to meet minimum academic standards each semester, including GPA and course completion requirements. Those who fall below these thresholds may be placed on academic notice, with continued lack of progress leading to suspension or, in some cases, dismissal from the College.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is also required to maintain financial aid eligibility and is evaluated each term. Students who do not meet SAP standards may receive a warning period but risk losing financial aid if requirements are not met.
Advisors can help students understand academic expectations, navigate policies, and develop strategies to return to and maintain good standing.
Add/Drop Period
The add/drop period occurs at the start of each semester and allows students to adjust their schedules. During the first week, students may freely add or drop courses online if seats are available and prerequisites are met. During the second week, instructor permission is required to add courses, while drops can still be completed online. After this period, students must pursue course withdrawal rather than dropping.
Students may also request special registration permissions for unmet prerequisites, major restrictions, closed courses, or late registration through the appropriate faculty or department.
During high-demand periods, such as the add/drop period (first week of classes), advisors are available for full-day walk-in hours at emerson.edu/walkins to support schedule adjustments.
Course Withdrawals
Students may withdraw from a course after the add/drop period through a published deadline (typically up to 15 class days before the end of the semester). Withdrawal results in a “W” grade, which does not affect GPA but remains on the transcript and may impact academic standing and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
Course withdrawals do not result in a tuition refund and require submission of a Course Withdrawal Form with instructor confirmation of the last date of attendance.
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor before withdrawing to understand academic, financial, and progression implications and to determine whether this is the right decision.
Credit Overload
Undergraduate students may elect to enroll in more than the standard full-time course load (16 credits). To be eligible, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 and meet additional restrictions based on program, location, and term. First-semester students are not permitted to overload, and eligible continuing students may not overload until after the initial registration week. Overloads are capped (generally at 20 credits) and are billed on a per-credit basis.
Students are encouraged to consult with an advisor to determine whether a credit overload is appropriate and to understand the academic and financial implications.
Degree Audit & Academic Planning
Understand how to use your degree audit (DegreeWorks via dw.emerson.edu) to track progress toward graduation and plan future semesters. Your audit serves as a personalized checklist, outlining completed and remaining requirements across your major, liberal arts, and electives, as well as in-progress courses and any unmet conditions.
Use features like “What If” to explore different majors or minors and model potential academic pathways. Regularly reviewing your audit—and referencing it during an advising meeting—will help you make informed decisions, stay on track, and plan effectively for degree completion.
Education Abroad and Domestic Programs
The Education Abroad and Domestic Programs Office offers a wide range of global and domestic opportunities that allow students to advance their academic goals while expanding their cultural and professional perspectives.
Emerson-sponsored programs include Los Angeles (ELA), Kasteel Well (The Netherlands), Washington D.C., Valencia, and short-term Summer Global Pathways Programs. Many of these experiences combine coursework with hands-on learning, such as internships, faculty-led travel, or immersive cultural engagement.
Students may also pursue exchange or non-affiliated programs around the world, with guidance from the office to identify options that align with their academic and professional goals.
To explore program options, upcoming events, deadlines, and application details, visit abroad.emerson.edu. You can also review their website, which provides further information on financial aid, scholarships, and fellowship opportunities to help support your experience.
Graduation & Degree Conferral
Learn about degree requirements, the Intent to Graduate process, and key timelines for graduation and Commencement participation. Students must submit an Intent to Graduate form for Registrar review and approval to confirm their eligibility to complete degree requirements.
Emerson holds Commencement ceremonies once each year in May for students completing degrees in fall, spring, or summer, with participation tied to published deadlines. The degree conferral date—when your degree is officially awarded and posted to your transcript—may differ from the ceremony date, and delays in final grades or form submission can impact conferral and diploma processing.
Holds
Students with Holds on their account (e.g. Student Agreement, Health, Financial Aid, Student Account Balance) will be prevented from accessing the registration system. Prior to their assigned registration time, students should check if they have any holds by visiting register.emerson.edu, select Prepare for Registration, and resolve any outstanding items with the designated office.
Internships
Explore how to search for and apply to internships using resources like Handshake, where thousands of opportunities are posted and students can connect with employers and career advisors. The Career Development Center (CDC) provides guidance on resume building, interviewing, and navigating the internship search process.
Students seeking academic credit for an internship must meet eligibility requirements (junior standing/64+ credits; 2.7 GPA), complete an application, and receive approval through the CDC and relevant academic departments before the internship begins. Credit-bearing internships are paired with a course and require registration and completion of all academic requirements.
Students are encouraged to work closely with the CDC and their advisor to ensure internships align with academic goals and to successfully navigate the approval and registration process.
Leave of Absence (LOA) & Readmission
A Leave of Absence (LOA) allows students to take a temporary break from the College for up to two years without needing to reapply for admission upon return. Students must submit a formal Leave of Absence/Withdrawal Request through the Office of the Registrar, and the timing of the leave may impact academic records (e.g., “W” grades), tuition, and financial aid.
To return, students must submit a Request for Readmission by the appropriate deadline; those returning from a health leave must also provide medical clearance. Students are readmitted under the same academic standing as when they left. Advisors can help students understand the academic implications of taking a leave and planning for return, while financial considerations should be reviewed with Student Financial Services.
Liberal Arts Curriculum & Requirements
Explore Emerson’s liberal arts curriculum—offered through the Marlboro Institute—which complements major coursework by exposing students to a broad range of disciplines, including the social sciences, humanities, sciences, and the arts. This interdisciplinary approach emphasizes critical thinking, communication skills, and the application of knowledge to real-world contexts, which accounts for more than one-third of the overall undergraduate experience.
Students in the Honors Program engage in an enhanced liberal arts curriculum that integrates rigorous, interdisciplinary coursework with specialized study in their chosen field, culminating in advanced research or a capstone experience.
Majors & Minors
Explore undergraduate majors and minors using the Undergraduate Catalog and your degree audit (“What If” feature) to review requirements and pathways. Changing a major requires chair approval, and some programs (School of Film, Business of Creative Enterprises, and Interdisciplinary Studies) include additional application requirements. Students may pursue a double major (excluding School of Film or Business of Creative Enterprises) or add a minor (typically 16–20 credits) to complement their academic interests. We recommend meeting with an advisor to discuss options, timelines, approval processes, and the impact on your academic plan before making any changes.
ProArts Consortium
The Professional Arts Consortium (ProArts) is an association of six neighboring Boston institutions of higher education dedicated to the visual and performing arts. Members include: Berklee College of Music; Boston Architectural College, Emerson College; New England Conservatory; Massachusetts College of Art and Design; and School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University.
Second-semester undergraduates with a minimum 2.7 GPA are eligible to enroll in consortium courses (pending space availability and prerequisite completion) allowing them to expand their academic experience across Boston-area institutions. Additional details are available through the Office of the Registrar.
Registration
Access registration instructions, important dates, and your assigned registration time through the Registrar and academic calendar. Students register for courses online via register.emerson.edu and should prepare in advance by reviewing their degree audit and meeting with an advisor or faculty mentor. Guidance is available on adding and dropping courses, joining waitlists, and obtaining special permissions for prerequisites, major restrictions, or closed classes.
During high-demand periods, such as course registration, advisors are available for full-day walk-in hours at emerson.edu/walkins.
Registration Permissions, Waitlists & Overenrollments
Learn how to request special registration permissions for courses with prerequisites, major, program, or class-standing restrictions. Permissions are typically granted by course instructors or department chairs, depending on the type of restriction (e.g., prerequisites, major-only courses, over-enrollment, or late registration).
Once approved, permissions are applied to your student account and you will receive a confirmation email; you must then complete registration yourself, as courses are not automatically added to your schedule.
Students can also use waitlists for full courses and will be notified if a seat becomes available, with a limited window to register. In select cases, students may seek approval to overenroll in a closed course. Planning ahead and requesting permissions early—ideally before your registration time—can help ensure a smoother registration process.
Time Management & Academic Success Strategies
The Writing and Academic Resource Center (WARC) provides free, personalized support through one-on-one consultations, peer tutoring, and academic success coaching. Students can get help with writing, course content, English language development, and time management and study strategies, along with referrals to tutoring, writing support, and other campus resources—building confidence and strengthening their learning across disciplines.
Transfer Credits
Understand how transfer credit is evaluated and applied toward your degree. The Office of the Registrar reviews courses on a case-by-case basis for equivalency and applicability, with limits on the number of transferable credits and minimum grade requirements. Current students must submit a Transfer Credit Application for pre-approval of external coursework, and may need additional faculty approval for major or minor requirements. Decisions will indicate how credits transfer and whether they fulfill specific degree requirements.
Withdrawal from the College
Withdrawing from the College indicates a student’s decision not to return to Emerson. Students must work with the Office of the Registrar to complete the official withdrawal process and required forms. Withdrawal may have academic, financial, housing, and financial aid implications, including removal from current and future courses and adjustments based on the last date of attendance. Students living in campus housing are required to vacate upon withdrawal.