Emerson College

Where can I find my transfer credit evaluation?
An Evaluation of Transfer Credits will be available online at the accepted student website (https://interactive.emerson.edu/admission/index.cfm) one to two weeks after the Admissions decision letter was mailed.  This website explains which courses will transfer, specifies the number of credits awarded, and indicates your class standing at Emerson.  Once you have sent in your final college and university transcripts to the Registrar's Office, the Evaluation of Transfer Credits will be updated to reflect any newly applied credit.

Transfer credits will only be evaluated if an official school transcript with final grades is received.  As you complete your classes, please mail your updated official transcripts as soon as possible so they can be evaluated.  If you have questions about mailing transcripts, or if Emerson has received a transcript, please contact the Admission Office at admission@emerson.edu.  If you have a question concerning your credit evaluation or class standing, contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@emerson.edu.

How are you selecting the classes that are recommended on the Registration Form?
The Academic Advising Center is recommending courses for your fall schedule based upon a number of factors, including: your transfer credit evaluation, AP credits, pending spring and/or summer transfer credits, requirements for your declared major, and remaining requirements within the General Education curriculum.

Why do some of my options list only one class?
There may be instances where you will not be provided with a choice of courses or course sections.  This would occur if you need the required course for your major, or if you need to fulfill the college writing requirement.  In this case, you should take the recommended course in order to stay on track with your major requirements, or to complete the required college writing curriculum.                                                                 

Can I take more courses in my major instead of taking General Education requirements?
No.  Each academic department at the college has outlined specific courses that must be taken in a sequential order for the majors. Please be assured that the Advising Center will place you in the appropriate courses for your declared major.

How many classes will I take?
All students at Emerson College must complete at least 128 credits to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. General Education requirements, major requirements and elective courses fulfill the 128 credits needed to graduate. The normal course load for students is 16 credits a semester, or four 4-credit courses.  Students within Performing Arts take between 16-18 credits made up of 4-credit, 2-credit and 1-credit courses.

When will I be able to see my schedule?
Once the Advising Center has completed the registration process, you will be able to view your schedule online. This will happen shortly before your arrival at Orientation.  You will receive a mailing in late August explaining when and how you can view your schedule online.

Will I be able to make changes to my schedule?
We hope you will be happy with the course schedule we build for you, especially since they will be courses that you need in order to successfully start your new curriculum here at Emerson.   However, we understand you may wish to make changes.   Transfer students will be able to make schedule changes online via our registration website up until the deadline for the unrestricted add/drop period. Instructions on how to make adjustments to your schedule will be mailed to you in late August.  Or students may make changes with the assistance of an academic advisor in the Academic Advising Center during the unrestricted add/drop period in September.

What score do I need to get on my AP exams to receive college credit at Emerson?
AP test scores of 4 or 5 will receive four credits in the areas of the exam.  Note: No more than 32 credits of Advanced Placement, CLEP, or other college-level examinations combined are accepted by Emerson College. Official test results from College Board must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office; AP credit cannot be granted from scores reported on your high school or college transcript.

What is a waiver?
Certain General Education requirements may be waived based upon particular examinations or experience. Students who qualify for a waiver are exempt from taking those courses/requirements. Note: you do not receive academic credit for a waiver; it simply exempts you from having to take a particular course at Emerson.  The requirements that can be waived are Writing (WR101 Expository Writing), Quantitative Reasoning (mathematics), and World Languages.

How do I know if I qualify for a waiver?
Writing waiver:  A Writing waiver is granted for a score of 700 or higher on the Critical Reading portion of the SAT.  (Scores earned for the Writing portion of the SAT do not qualify for a waiver.)   If you have received a Writing waiver, you will be waived from taking the first of the two required first-year writing requirements, WR101 Expository Writing.

Math waiver:  The Quantitative Reasoning General Education requirement is waived for students who achieve one of the following:

  • A score of 550 or higher on the math portion of the SAT; or
  • A score of 24 or higher on the ACT mathematics exam; or
  • Four years of high school math with a grade of C or higher in each year.


World Language waiver: The World Language General Education requirement is waived for students for whom one of the following applies:

  • Completion through the 3rd level of high school study in any one language; or
  • English is not the student’s first language.

The Math and World Language waivers will be applied by Admissions over the summer.  These waivers will not impact your first-semester course registration.   You can check in with your advisor in the fall semester to determine if you have received a waiver for math or world languages.

Note: If you know you will not receive a waiver for math or world language, and have not taken transfer courses to fulfill these requirements, you may contact the Academic Advising Center to inquire if a math or language course can be scheduled for your fall semester.

I am playing a varsity sport at Emerson.  How will my classes be scheduled?
Be sure to indicate on the Transfer Student Survey that you are a student athlete. The Advising Center is notified by the Athletics Department when practices and games are scheduled.  We will schedule your courses to the best of our ability in order to accommodate your athletic commitments.

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