Admission Information

If you are committed to being a professional and leader in the publishing world and want to use your skills to help shape the industry and define its future, you may find Emerson's Publishing and Writing program to be a perfect fit. Regardless of their background, Publishing and Writing students are driven by the integrity that underlies how and where they choose to do their work. You can start by telling us why studying at Emerson is your next step.

Writing Sample Requirement

Emerson's unique Publishing and Writing program helps you learn the professional skills and earn the experience to succeed in the ever-vital, ever-changing publishing industry.

Qualifications include a strong academic record and a writing sample that reflects the quality of your work. To fulfill the writing sample requirement:

• submit published writing from school or local newspapers, magazines, and blogs, as well as unpublished nonfiction coursework, excluding academic research papers and theses. Poetry and fiction pieces, and screenplays and other dramatic scripts are not accepted.

or:

• answer one of the following essay prompts:

1. Tell us about a magazine, nonfiction book, or online publication you admire. What makes this work a publishing success?
2. Tell us about a magazine or book publisher (publishing company) you admire. What is it about its publications that constitutes "success"? 

A combination of these materials is acceptable, provided it doesn't exceed the 15-page maximum. All materials must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admission.

Graduate Application Requirements

MA Publishing and Writing applicants must also complete the graduate application requirements as directed by the Office of Graduate Admission.

MA Publishing and Writing: Graduate Application Checklist

All documents should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admission:

1. Start with a passion for the publishing industry.
2. Fill out the application for graduate admission, and pay the application fee.
3. Submit your writing sample as directed above.
4. Submit official transcripts from all undergraduate/graduate institutions attended, showing an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
5. Turn in three letters of recommendation. Letters should refer to creative and academic abilities.
6. Submit one essay describing your professional goals.
7. Turn in a professional résumé including your employment and educational history.
8. Submit GRE scores.
9. For international students: Turn in TOEFL or IELTS scores. Scores must be at least 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, or 80 Internet-based; minimum IELTS: 7.0.
10. Ensure you are willing to commit yourself to an intense program that full-time students usually complete in two years and part-time students usually complete in two and a half to three years.
11. After submitting all documents to the Office of Graduate Admission, you'll be notified of an admission decision about six to eight weeks after the application deadline.