Office of Academic Assessment

The following Emerson College Learning Goals were originally drafted by the Student Learning Committees in 2013-2014. They were reviewed and edited by the Department faculty, the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, the Faculty Council, and were endorsed by the Faculty Assembly in September of 2015.

Emerson College graduates create, communicate, collaborate, critically think, and civically engage.

Upon graduation Emerson students will be able to:

Create

• Experiment with creative processes, including traditional practices.
• Apply foundational theories and practices to their disciplines.

Communicate

• Demonstrate effective written, oral, and visual communication skills.
• Demonstrate competency in information, media, and digital literacies.

Collaborate

• Work with others across disciplines of study to produce meaningful outcomes.
• Integrate the liberal arts into the various fields of communication and the arts.

Critically Think

• Support conclusions based on research methods appropriate to their disciplines.
• Make decisions using quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Civically Engage

• Demonstrate a commitment to diverse perspectives and ethical practices.
• Engage with local and global communities.

All undergraduates complete Emerson's distinct Liberal Arts Curriculum, which includes both Foundations and Perspectives. Outcomes for courses that meet the Foundations and Perspectives requirements are linked below.

The Liberal Arts curriculum aims to provide students with a:

• First-year curriculum that supports the development of core communication (written and oral), information literacy, and critical and creative thinking skills (College Outcomes: Create; Communicate; Critically Think)
• Foundation in the major Liberal Arts traditions (i.e., arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, literature and language, and natural sciences and quantitative reasoning) (College Outcomes: Create; Communicate; Collaborate; Critically Think)
• Set core of competencies associated with ethical conduct, interdisciplinary analysis, and respect for diversity of experience and opinion (College Outcomes: Communicate; Collaborate; Critically Think; Civically Engage)
• Sequenced Liberal Arts curriculum that supports and connects to students’ educational experiences in communication and the arts (College Outcomes: Create; Communicate; Collaborate; Critically Think)

Source: 2020-2021 Undergraduate Course Catalog

In addition to the Emerson College Learning Outcomes, departments define the student learning outcomes for individuals in their majors and degree programs. Learning outcomes for Emerson's various majors and programs are included below.

Source for learning outcomes below: 2020-2021 Undergraduate Course Catalog

Students will:

1. Be able to engage with the world at multiple levels through comedy.
2. Develop an appreciation of all the various manifestations of comedy including genre, style, and applications.
3. Gain an appreciation of the history, theory, and ethics of comedy.
4. Find, develop, and hone their individual comedic voice.
5. Learn how to write and perform comedy collaboratively.
6. Gain an understanding of the ways comedy may be produced: in film, television, online, and on the stage.
7. Be able to write, perform, and produce comedy in one or more styles or genres

BS in Communication Disorders

Students will:

1. Demonstrate basic clinical and research writing skills.
2. Demonstrate a foundational understanding of the scientific bases of communication and its disorders.
3. Apply scientific and theoretical knowledge to clinical processes.
4. Engage actively with peers and faculty to attain meaningful outcomes.
5. Practice critical thinking and rational inquiry in the study of communication disorders.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the range of human diversity and its relationship to communication disorders.

BS in Political Communication

Students will:

1. Understand political theory and systems and how they affect diverse members of society at the local, national, and global levels.
2. Acquire advanced advocacy, critical thinking, crisis management, and negotiation skills.
3. Achieve practical mastery of public opinion research methods.
4. Acquire practical and immersive knowledge of models of political advocacy, electoral politics, public diplomacy, and civic engagement.

BS in Sports Communication

Students will:

1. Understand theoretical foundations and their practical application in the management, communication and business of sport.
2. Develop skills in leadership, management, problem solving, crisis communication, and interpersonal relationships.
3. Locate and employ resources and tools available for strategic decision making in the sports communication process.
4. Describe, discuss, and apply principles of strategic communication as related to sports in written, oral, and interpersonal modes of communication.

BS in Communication Studies

Students will: 

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the history of communication and its artifacts by analyzing social movements, issues, and perspectives.
2. Acquire skills in logic, reasoning, argumentation, and critical thinking.
3. Demonstrate information literacy through research skills in gathering and analyzing information.
4. Identify and synthesize the best forms of communication technology to apply to various communicative situations.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of global diversity and individuality.
6. Synthesize the ethical implications of human communication.
7. Create and deliver professional oral presentations.

BS in Public Relations

Students will:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the history and significance of public relations.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the influence of professionals and institutions in shaping public relations.
3. Understand the role of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other forms of diversity in public relations.
4. Communicate effectively and develop messages targeted to specific publics.
5. Develop public relations strategies and tactics to target specific publics and compete in the marketplace.
6. Conduct research and evaluate information in order to develop effective public relations plans.
7. Understand and leverage various techniques in executing public relations plans.
8. Think critically, creatively, and independently.

BS in Journalism

The Emerson Journalism curriculum is centered around four principles: Discovery, Adapt, Illuminate, and Respect.

The four principles are defined through the program’s Learning Objectives.

Students will be able to:

1. Apply knowledge of the ways of government and communities to produce journalism that uses public information and diverse community and government sources to examine culture and concerns.
2. Cultivate and utilize a diversity of people, information, and perspectives to provide insight into the journalism about communities and institutions.
3. Incorporate best practices and values of the profession to produce journalism that is independent, truthful, representative, accountable, and respectful of people as subjects and as audience.
4. Apply a variety of media to reporting and producing journalism that best serves the story and the audience. Write accurate and precise news stories synthesizing information using the most effective formats, style, and language.

BS in Marketing Communication

Students will:

1. Understand and discuss the fundamental connections between communication and society in contemporary culture.
2. Understand and explain the organizational structures of institutions and industries within the marketing communication landscape.
3. Collaborate effectively and respectfully in a team.
4. Write professionally, communicate effectively, and articulate original ideas in marketing communication.
5. Demonstrate competency in delivering written and oral presentations.
6. Develop and demonstrate creative and critical thinking skills to define and solve a marketing problem or identify and take advantage of a market opportunity.
7. Convert consumer insights into actionable decisions in order to develop marketing communication strategies and tactics.
8. Review academic literature, develop research questions, collect and analyze data, and make strategic recommendations.
9. Make evidence-based decisions to develop marketing strategies and tactics designed to meet an organization’s goals and objectives.
10. Create an integrated marketing communication campaign.
11. Apply marketing analytics to measure, analyze, and manage the performance of marketing communication initiatives.
12. Conduct research and write a research paper or report in the appropriate academic or professional style that draws upon relevant marketing and communication theory and practices.
13. Promote the understanding of diversity and inclusiveness among people in global society.
14. Apply the ethical principles that govern the marketing communication profession.

BA in Business of Creative Enterprises

Students will:

1. Acquire an understanding of the cultural, political, economic and regulatory context in which creative enterprises operate.
2. Develop and refine critical and creative thinking skills along with collaboration in the creative process.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the aesthetic world and create their personal relationship to it.
4. Learn to appreciate and practice inclusiveness as valuable for the success of creative enterprises.
5. Recognize the role of vision and innovation in driving the creative economy.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of business principles and practices, markets, and organizational models in creative enterprises. 
7. Demonstrate mastery of using data driven approaches to decision-making and problem solving.
8. Recognize and apply progressive ethical business practices within the creative enterprises.
9. Demonstrate effective and professional communication in business situations and lead with confidence.

All Performing Arts students will:

• Develop an experiential and theoretical understanding of basic theater skills in the performance, design, technical, production, and educational aspects of art.
• Learn how cultures affect the creative process and how, in turn, the creative process contributes to the evolution of cultures.
• Develop theoretical and historical understanding of the theater and the conventional standards by which we respond to the art form through scripts, knowledge of the physical theater and production techniques, and the aesthetics of the major historical periods of drama.
• Develop their individual and collaborative potentials and interests as they prepare to enter the fields of performing arts and theater education in both professional and applied theater and related fields [of film and television].

BFA in Theatre and Performance

Students will:

1. Analyze a body of dramatic literature.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of modes of critical/historical inquiry and a multiplicity of cultural and artistic perspectives.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the cultural and social impact of the arts and their role as a theater practitioner and as an active member of society.
4. Demonstrate an ability to collaborate in the act of making theater.
5. Demonstrate an ability to actively pursue an objective, and to apply the vocal and physical training while doing so.
6. Demonstrate professional discipline and effective work habits.
7. Demonstrate an ability to draw on a range of theater practices with an understanding of your unique voice as a theater artist.

BFA in Acting

Students will:

1. Analyze a body of dramatic literature.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of modes of critical/historical inquiry and a multiplicity of cultural and artistic perspectives.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the cultural and social impact of the arts and their role as a theater practitioner and as an active member of society.
4. Demonstrate an ability to collaborate in the act of making theater.
5. Demonstrate technical and artistic proficiency in acting, voice and speech, and movement.
6. Demonstrate professional discipline and effective work habits.
7. Demonstrate preparation to pursue professional acting opportunities.

BFA in Theatre

Students will:

1. Learn and be able to demonstrate a basic theater literacy, both academically and experientially.
2. Learn to think critically and analytically about the literature and function of a particular area of theater.
3. Demonstrate a skill appropriate to a particular focus such as directing, playwriting, dramaturgy, or other aspect of theater.

BFA in Theatre Design/Technology

Students will:

1. Demonstrate an ability to read and analyze a play from the perspective of a designer and technician of theater.
2. 'Learn to relate script analysis to a visual product, demonstrating an understanding of how to apply and communicate basic design elements, such as color, mass, and line.
3. Learn and demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of the distinguishing characteristics of Western architecture, décor, and fashion, as well as the basic methods of research needed to design.
4. Demonstrate the basic skills necessary to visually communicate design ideas through the learning of the fundamentals of each area of theater design and technology.
5. Demonstrate an ability to translate theory into practice through the appropriate produced projects.

BFA in Stage and Screen Design/Technology

Students will:

1. Demonstrate the ability to design across disciplines for stage, film, and television projects. This includes:
   1. the ability to read and analyze a script;
   2. knowledge of the principles of design; and
   3. possessing the basic skills necessary to visually communicate design ideas. 
2. Be able to work collaboratively with writers, directors, actors, and other creative artists to develop meaningful projects.
3. Understand and implement traditional/analog and digital/virtual design techniques and associated technology.
4. Learn how to work in different design environments and across all media.
5. Demonstrate an ability to work effectively in a variety of professional environments such as in a soundstage/TV studio, on the stage, and on location.
6. Demonstrate an ability to translate theory into practice through the appropriate produced projects, and will compile a portfolio of work that can be shown to prospective employers.
7. Demonstrate an appreciation of the history, traditions, and principles of stage, film, and television design, including a fundamental knowledge of the distinguishing characteristics of Western architecture, décor, and fashion, as well as the basic methods of research needed to design.

BFA in Stage and Production Management

Students will:

1. Demonstrate an ability to read and analyze a play from the perspective of a stage manager.
2. Learn about and understand the overall theatrical production process through the creation of a production script.
3. Learn about all areas of theatrical production in order to communicate effectively with the various artists and teams of a theatrical production, and be able to contribute to the collaborative process.
4. Learn the principles, practices, and artistic craft of stage management.
5. Learn how to serve as stage managers and assistant stage managers and will demonstrate their abilities on a professional theatrical production.

BFA in Musical Theatre

Students will:

1. Analyze a body of music and/or dramatic literature.
2. Identify and accomplish stage actions and character goals.
3. Demonstrate their ability to use their singing voice.
4. Demonstrate an ability to include the physical in their work on stage, including dancing.
5. Demonstrate an ability to collaborate in the act of making theater.
6. Demonstrate skills in professional comportment.

BFA in Theatre Education and Performance

Students will:

1. Learn to assess learning needs, develop appropriate educational goals and objectives, and design and implement drama/theater teaching strategies based on understandings of the theoretical and historical foundations of drama/theater education and the practices of applied drama and theater.
2. Develop their individual potentials and interests in performance, production, and theater education in applied theater and related fields as demonstrated in portfolios and teaching projects.
3. Demonstrate foundational ability to use their vocal instrument, include the physical in their work onstage, and identify and accomplish stage actions and character goals.

BFA in Theatre Education

Students will:

1. Learn to assess learning needs, develop appropriate educational goals and objectives, and design and implement drama/theater teaching strategies based on understandings of the theoretical and historical foundations of drama/theater education and the practices of applied drama and theater.
2. Develop their individual potentials and interests in production and theater education in applied theater and related fields as demonstrated in portfolios and teaching projects.

BA in Media Arts Production

Students will:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the history, theory, and practice of visual and media arts.
2. Demonstrate technical proficiency in media arts production.
3. Create media arts with originality and aesthetic coherence.
4. Demonstrate their ability to research and analyze issues in media arts.
5. Learn to apply ethical principles in the production and analysis of media arts.

BFA in Media Arts Production

Students will:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the history, theory, and practice of visual and media arts.
2. Demonstrate technical proficiency in media arts production.
3. Create media arts with originality and aesthetic depth.
4. Demonstrate their ability to research and analyze media arts.
5. Apply ethical principles in the production and analysis of media arts.
6. Create an advanced-level project in their own media specialization.

BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing

Students will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of literary history and of literary forms.
2. Read, think, and write critically.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of research skills.
4. Display creative writing skills in one or more of the literary genres.

Literature Concentration

Students will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of literary history and of literary forms.
2. Read, think, and write critically.
3. Demonstrate knowledge in research skills.
4. Apply their knowledge of literary and critical discourse through a culminating capstone project.

Publishing Concentration

Students will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of literary history and of literary forms.
2. Read, think, and write critically.
3. Demonstrate skills in writing, editing, design, production, and business as they relate to print and digital publishing environments.
4. Distinguish between global publishing models and understand their strengths and weaknesses in reaching diverse audiences.

BFA in Creative Writing

Students will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of literary history and of literary forms.
2. Read, think, and write critically.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of research skills.
4. Create a thesis in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or drama.

The Honors Program has the following student learning objectives:

1. Students will demonstrate critical writing skills about power, social action, and cultural diversity from an interdisciplinary perspective.
2. Students will analyze intersections between the science and philosophy disciplines.
3. Students will synthesize theory and their craft into a research-driven Honors thesis.

Emerson has a substantial number of minors students may complete, in addition to their major program of study. Minors with student learning outcomes listed in the Undergraduate Course Catalog are included below.

Music History & Culture Minor

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand music within the context of its own culture and in the larger story of world music.
2. Understand the meaning of culture, relationships between music and culture, and various processes of cultural change, including problems arising from ethnocentrism, sexism, racism as they affect the development of music.
3. Distinguish between and among various musical genres, forms, and styles.
4. Critically assess the ideas, forces, and values that provide the context for the music of a particular place and time.
5. Analyze significant primary music texts and works of art, ancient, pre-modern, and modern, as forms of cultural and creative expression.
6. Identify and understand through listening, writing and discussion, features of music from cultures other than their own, including consideration of religious, social, political, literary, and economic traditions.
7. Explore global/cultural diversity through the study of music.

Learning Outcomes for Emerson's graduate degree programs are included below.

Source for learning outcomes below: 2020-2021 Graduate Course Catalog

MS in Communication Disorders

Following are the Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for the Communication Disorders programs:

• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the professional scope of practice in speech language pathology that includes prevention, ethics, and supervision as defined by ASHA standards.
• Demonstrate understanding of linguistic and non-linguistic factors, including cultural-linguistic considerations, that may affect access to care and recovery. 
• Demonstrate knowledge of the concepts related to neuroanatomy, anatomy, and physiology as they relate to typical and disordered cognitive-linguistic, motor-speech, hearing, and swallowing functions.
• Synthesize and apply research and other evidence to clinical application via case studies and clinical practice by using critical, flexible thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Understand and describe the nature of a variety of disorders within the SLP scope of practice and their corresponding assessments and treatments across the lifespan.

MFA in Creative Writing

Following is the Student Learning Outcome (SLO) for the Creative Writing program:

• Students will develop and revise their creative writing, improve their critical thinking skills, and demonstrate knowledge of the literature of their chosen genre as they create a body of original work of publishable quality.

MA in Digital Marketing and Data Analytics (Online)

The student learning outcomes of the DMDA program balance the priorities of both digital marketing and data analytics. Students will be able to:

• Develop targeted, customer-centric digital marketing campaigns across a range of digital interfaces;
• Design marketing programs that account for the unique user experience needs of mobile consumers;
• Implement digital storytelling and content marketing strategies that connect consumers with brands across all major social media platforms;
• Use their knowledge of digital consumer behaviors and trends to design marketing programs that motivate consumers to engage and remain loyal to a brand;
• Develop consumer personas and segments that provide the framework to deploy targeted and personalized marketing treatments;
• Build predictive models that forecast individual consumer behaviors and enable proactive marketing communications;
• Use web and social media analytic tools to evaluate online interactions and identify new opportunities to generate consumer leads and build stronger customer relationships; and
• Incorporate best practice digital campaign testing and measurement approaches that accurately assess the ROI of marketing investments.

MFA in Film and Media Arts

Following are the Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for the Film and Media Art program:

• Students will develop a body of media artwork that demonstrates originality and intellectual and/or emotional sophistication.
• Students’ work will demonstrate a level of technical expertise appropriate for their level of experience.
• Students will demonstrate, through the work or their articulation of its context, an understanding of the theoretical and historical context in which their work exists, including, but not limited to, the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences when envisioning their work as artists and professionals.
• Students will demonstrate, through the work or their articulation of its context, an understanding and willingness to embrace the convergent reality of the media art field.

MA in Journalism

The following Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) drive the Journalism curriculum:

• Students will develop a commitment to journalism that serves and empowers the public, helping audiences understand the connections among local, national, and global issues.
• Students will understand the role of journalism in a democratic society, from its historical foundations to the revolutionary changes in digital media.
• Students will find, assess, and analyze different modes of information: from statistics and government reports to public regulations and legislation.
• Students will write stories with precision, clarity, and fairness.
• Students will master storytelling across a variety of platforms.
• Students will interact respectfully with a variety of diverse communities to contextualize their racial, cultural, linguistic, and economic makeup.

MA in Media Design

Following are the Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for the Media Design program:

• Students will articulate a sophisticated understanding of contemporary issues in media and design, communication, and technology that impact civic life, including internet infrastructure, data and algorithms, media distribution, privacy, and online participation and collaboration.
• Students will use a variety of participatory design approaches and methodologies, including human-centered design and participatory action research to co-produce creative works.
• Students will employ the appropriate strategies to effectively communicate and work with at-risk and underserved communities and groups.
• Students address, in classes and projects, the major scholarly debates regarding the interplay of new technologies, art, and civic and political life.
• Students will discuss, write about, and design projects around civic media and be able to situate local problems within a global context.

MA in Publishing and Writing

Following are the Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for the Publishing and Writing program:

• Students will develop and demonstrate publishing skills in writing, editing, production, marketing, sales, and distribution as they relate to publishing documents in print and digital environments.
• Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills and knowledge about publishing history, business models, professional ethics, and new technologies.

MA in Strategic Marketing Communication

Following are the Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for the Strategic Marketing Communication program:

• Students will learn to create cohesive communication plans for a business with positioning that resonates with their customers.
• Students will be equipped with a deep knowledge of evolving strategies and media that can be used together to tell the stories of organizations operating in a global marketplace.
• Students will learn to be marketing communication professionals who are not only great storytellers, but are also innovative problem solvers who can command today’s tools and technology and seamlessly adapt to those of tomorrow.
• Students will learn to conduct research and analyze data to identify marketing challenges and opportunities.
• Students will learn to develop marketing and communication plans that connect to measurable business objectives and integrate elements of digital advertising, social

MA in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre

MFA in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre

Following are the Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for the Theatre Education and Applied Theatre program:

• Students will assess learning needs, develop appropriate educational goals and objectives, and design and implement drama/theatre teaching strategies based on understandings of the theoretical and historical foundations of drama/theatre education and the practices of applied drama and theatre.
• Students will demonstrate skills for creating theatre in and with a variety of communities based on the understanding of the relationships between theatre and culture as informed by economics, history, sociology, cultural studies, politics, and performance theory.
• Students will develop their individual potential and interests in performance, production, theatre education, applied theatre, and related fields as demonstrated by portfolios, theses, or capstone projects.