Mission and Purposes
Emerson College offers educational programs that prepare undergraduate and graduate men and women to assume positions of responsibility and leadership in communication and the arts and to pursue scholarship and work that brings innovation to these disciplines. Established in 1880 as a small, regional school of oratory, Emerson has evolved into a diverse, co-educational and multi-faceted degree-granting institution with a liberal arts rather than conservatory orientation. But its mission and focus remains largely the same as it was in 1880: to explore and push the boundaries of communication, art, and culture and, thereby, to contribute to the advancement of society.

Emerson College is committed to excellence in education for communication and the arts. Founded on the study of oratory and the performing arts, Emerson's distinctive undergraduate and graduate curricula have expanded. We continue to challenge students to think and express themselves with clarity, substance and insight, instilling the highest professional standards through rigorous academic inquiry and experiential learning. Its specialized major and external programs are based in and integrated with the liberal arts and interdisciplinary study, and are informed by a set of core values: freedom of expression, diversity of perspective, cultural awareness, integrity, civility, and the responsibility of ethical choice.

Our mission is to inspire students to create and communicate with depth, honesty, courage, and passion, both as professionals in their fields and as informed and articulate participants in society.