School Info, Enrollment & Policies

The Berklee Online Transfer Team is committed to working with students to determine how their previous coursework will apply to their bachelor’s degree program requirements. Transfer credit services are available to both prospective and enrolled students.

Credit Types

The three types of transfer credit for bachelor’s degee students at Berklee Online are external, internal, and prior learning.

External transfer credits are credits from any institution outside of Berklee. This also includes AP test scores, CLEP exams, DSST exams, UExcel exams, A Level exams, Higher Level International Baccalaureate coursework, and coursework completed at a Berklee Global Academic Partnership school (formerly known as BIN). There is a 60 semester-credit limit for external transfer credit.

Internal transfer credits are credits completed within Berklee. This includes Berklee main campus, Berklee Valencia, or previously completed Berklee Online coursework. This does not count towards the 60 external transfer credit limit.

Prior Learning credit is designed for those students who feel they have already attained the educational equivalent of one or more of their remaining requirements through previously unrecognized knowledge and experience. Once enrolled in the bachelor’s degree program, students have the option of submitting a prior learning credit portfolio to demonstrate their proficiency. A maximum of 30 prior learning credits can be awarded. Similar to coursework completed at Berklee, prior learning credit does not count towards the 60 external transfer credit limit.

Official Transcripts

Students applying to a bachelor’s degree program must provide an official transcript from each of their prior institutions. A transcript is considered official only if it is sent directly from a college/university to Berklee Online in a sealed and stamped envelope or via a secure electronic transcript service such as Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse.

The following documents are not acceptable as official transcripts:

1. Transcripts that have previously been opened
2. Transcripts emailed or faxed by the student
3. Copies of degree audits downloaded by a student from their institution
4. Grade reports

No transfer credit can be awarded for those transcripts deemed unofficial.

International Transcripts

International applicants and those applicants who have studied outside the United States or Canada have the option between submitting their official academic records for evaluation by an accredited evaluation company or having these evaluated by the Credential Verification Team at Berklee Online. For additional information on this process, please see the International Credential Evaluation policy section.

For those students who elect to have their academic records evaluated by an accredited evaluation company, Berklee recommends the following provider of evaluation services:

Education Credential Evaluations, Inc. (ECE)
PO Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
USA
414-289-3400
eval@ece.org

Calendar System

Berklee Online operates on a semester-hour system. When transferring credit from an institution using a different credit system, the following conversions must be made.

Quarter-Hour Systems

• 3 quarter-hour credits outside of Berklee Online equal 2 semester-hour credits at Berklee Online.
• 4.5 quarter-hour credits outside of Berklee Online equal 3 semester-hour credits at Berklee Online.

Contact-Hour Systems

• 45 contact hours outside Berklee Online equal 3 semester-hour credits at Berklee Online

When necessary, like-courses on alternate systems may be combined and transferred as a single 3 semester-hour credit course.

Courses Eligible for Transfer

Berklee Online will consider undergraduate-level coursework for transfer toward any degree requirement, so long as the course is compatible with our curriculum and completed with a grade of “C” or better at a regionally accredited institution.

Special consideration will be given to schools accredited through National Association of Schools of Music and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges; however, coursework completed at these institutions can only be accepted in a limited capacity.

International Baccalaureate

Many courses taken through the International Baccalaureate program are eligible to be accepted at Berklee Online. These courses must be taken at the Higher Level (HL), with a minimum score of 4 earned. Information regarding International Baccalaureate can be found at www.ibo.org.

Advanced Level Exams (A-Level)

Advanced Level Exams (A-Level) and Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS-Level) exams are accepted, provided that the official score report is submitted to Berklee Online. The Transfer Team is responsible for evaluating these reports and will make the final determination on acceptance and transfer equivalency. A relevant AS Level exam is equivalent to 3 semester credits and an A Level exam is equivalent to 6 semester credits.

AP (Advanced Placement), CLEP, and DSST Exams

Berklee Online recognizes certain test credit such as AP (Advanced Placement), CLEP, and DSST and reserves the right to determine which tests are eligible to transfer and how they will apply toward the degree program.

A passing score on a AP test is equivalent to 3 semester credits. An official AP score report can be sent directly to Berklee Online using the code: 6774.

A passing score on a CLEP test is equivalent to 3-6 semester credits. An official transcript of CLEP scores can be sent directly to Berklee Online using the code: 6283.

A passing score on a DSST exam is equivalent to 3 semester credits. An official score report must be requested from Prometric to be sent to the following address:

Berklee Online
ATTN: Registrar
855 Boylston St, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02116

Other credit-granting exams will be considered for transfer on a case-by-case basis.

Narrative Evaluation

Coursework completed at an institution using narrative evaluations in lieu of grades is eligible to transfer. The Transfer Team will assess the evaluations included in the student’s official transcript and will award credit as deemed appropriate.

Students Transferring Berklee Credits

Students seeking to transfer Berklee credits to a bachelor’s degree program should be aware of additional factors impacting their credit awards.

Former Campus Students

• All students who previously studied at Berklee College of Music are asked to first complete the Degree Completion Inquiry form found here
  
• Those students with fewer than 90 credits at Berklee main campus may complete a bachelor’s degree online. Students considering this option can contact Senior Academic Advisor Mark Hopkins at degreecompletion@online.berklee.edu for more information.
• Students who previously attended the main campus must still apply to the Bachelor of Arts program.
• Berklee Online offers a Bachelor’s of Arts (BA), not a Bachelor’s of Music (BM).
• Any coursework completed for credit will be evaluated for transfer; however, coursework must be completed with a final grade of “D” or better in order to fulfill curriculum requirements. There is no cap to the amount of internal transfer credit that can be awarded, provided it aligns with the student’s Berklee Online bachelor’s degree program.
• All grades and attempted coursework that directly apply to a student’s Berklee Online bachelor’s degree program requirements will be reflected in their Official Transfer Evaluation.
• Any in progress Berklee College of Music coursework at the time of evaluation will not appear on a student’s record until the course has been completed, final grades have been entered, and the student has submitted a Transfer Credit Reevaluation request available on the Program Policies and Forms page.

Berklee Online Students

• Students who have previously completed non-degree Berklee Online coursework must still apply to the bachelor’s degree program.
• All completed coursework will transfer; however, coursework must be taken for credit and completed with a final grade of “D” or better in order to fulfill curriculum requirements. There is no cap to the amount of internal transfer credit that can be awarded, provided it aligns with the student’s degree program.
• All grades and attempted coursework will be reflected in the student’s Official Transfer Evaluation.
• Coursework taken for non-credit will be ineligible to fulfill degree program requirements. If seeking credit for this work, students are encouraged to explore the Prior Learning option.
• Berklee Online coursework will not be reflected in a student’s record until their Intent to Enroll form has been received and processed. If a student completes this form prior to receiving their Official Transfer Evaluation, their Berklee Online coursework will be included. If a student submits their Intent to Enroll form after they receive their evaluation, their Berklee Online coursework will not appear on their record until the end of week 2 of their starting semester.

Berklee Study Abroad Program

• Matriculated Berklee Online bachelor’s degree students are eligible to apply to the Valencia Study Abroad program if:
  
  
  
  • They are in good academic and financial standing in their Berklee Online degree program at the time of applying and remain in good standing each semester leading up to the start of the program.
  • They have completed one semester of Berklee coursework at the time of applying and have at least 30 total credits completed by the program start date.
  • They are at least 18 years old by the program start date.
  • They maintain full-time enrollment (12-16 credits) while abroad.
• The Study Abroad program is suggested for students between semester 3 and semester 6 of their academic program, to ensure that there will be suitable applicable courses available in Valencia. Students are encouraged to contact Berklee Online Study Abroad Advising at studyabroad@online.berklee.edu for additional information as to how their credits might affect their ability to study abroad.
• Once admitted to the Study Abroad program, students must submit the Valencia Study Abroad Course Advising Form available on the Program Policies and Forms page to ensure that the coursework they plan on taking will fulfill remaining degree requirements.
• All grades and attempted coursework will transfer; however, coursework must be completed with a final grade of “D” or better in order to be eligible to fulfill curriculum requirements.

Berklee Summer Program

• Coursework completed as part of a Berklee Summer program may be eligible for transfer if:
  
  
  
  • The coursework is at the undergraduate level.
  • Course credit will be issued upon completion.
  • The course will fulfill a remaining curriculum requirement.
  • The grade earned is comparable to a “D” or better.

Military Service Member Transfers

Berklee Online recognizes the value of military experience and will award transfer credit for military training, service, and education compatible with our curriculum. While a maximum of 60 semester credits of relevant military experience can be transferred, it most frequently aligns with general education requirements, of which a total of 42 semester credits can be awarded.

Military transfer students are encouraged to request for their official transcripts to be sent directly to Berklee Online alongside the record(s) of any other higher education institution(s) that they have previously attended.

• Army, Coast Guard, Navy, and Marines: Joint Services Transcript
  
• Airforce: Community College of the Air Force

Online delivery of official transcripts is preferred whenever possible and can be submitted directly from the issuing institution to Berklee Online through email (materials@online.berklee.edu) or via a secured electronic delivery method (such as Parchment or the JST account).

Mailed transcripts can be sent directly from the issuing institution to the following address:

Berklee Online
ATTN: Admissions
855 Boylston St, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02116

Transfer Credit Limitations

The following limitations are placed on credit transferred to the Berklee Online bachelor’s degree program:

• Berklee Online will accept a maximum of 60 semester-credits from regionally accredited external institutions.
• Berklee Online will accept a maximum of 30 credits earned through the Prior Learning Credit process.
• Berklee Online will accept as many applicable credits as possible completed through
  Berklee. These do not count toward the 60 external transfer credit maximum.
• Berklee Online requires all students to complete at least 60 semester-credits for a single major or 105 semester-credits for a double major at Berklee.

Prior Learning Credit

Students with knowledge or experience not reflected in traditional undergraduate level coursework are encouraged to seek credit for this through the prior learning option. Common examples of this include non-credit bearing certifications (e.g. Avid Pro Tools Certification), courses ineligible to transfer (e.g. private music lessons, labs, ensembles), job-related experience, life-long musical training, etc.

Students with transfer credit should be aware that prior learning cannot be issued for a Berklee Online course similar to one for which they already received transfer credit. For example, a student who transferred a beginner ear training course would be precluded from seeking prior learning credit for OEART-115: Basic Ear Training, even if the student may not have specifically received credit for Berklee’s Basic Ear Training course. Due to the uniqueness of the Berklee curriculum and the often limited course information available from other institutions, external credit is rarely directly equated to Berklee Online coursework. However, if the student feels strongly that a Berklee Online course aligns with one from their previous institution, it is recommended that the student submits a transfer credit appeal through the Transfer Credit Reevaluation Form, rather than seeking prior learning credit for this course. This will allow the student to provide additional documentation to verify the course’s comparability. Those students who wish to receive clarification in regards to which of their previous courses transferred are welcome to reach out to the Transfer Team at transfer@online.berklee.edu to receive a Transfer Credit Explanation Report.

Second Bachelor’s Degrees

Those students with a prior bachelor’s degree seeking to obtain a second one through the Berklee Online degree program, should be aware of additional factors impacting their eligibility and credit awards.

• Students may only pursue a second bachelor’s degree through Berklee Online in a degree program that is significantly different from their first. Alumni from the Berklee Online BPS program are not eligible to seek a BA in the same area of study.
• Students who previously completed a bachelor’s degree at Berklee must reapply to the program and provide all requisite application materials. They cannot begin their studies in their second bachelor’s degree program until they have officially graduated from their first bachelor’s program.Admission is not guaranteed.
• Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree from an external institution will be limited to 60 transfer credits. Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree from Berklee will be limited to receiving credit for only those courses that will fulfill requirements in their new program.

Because of the many factors involved in completing a second bachelor’s degree, students are strongly encouraged to reach out to their advisor and/or to the Financial Aid Office (financialaid@berklee.edu or 1.866.BERKLEE ext 4 (1.866.237.5533 ext 4) before initiating this process.

Music Coursework

Berklee Online recognizes the value of the music coursework completed at external
institutions and will consider these classes for transfer provided they meet certain criteria.

In order for these courses to be eligible, they must have clearly defined learning objectives and contain classroom-based instruction. Externally completed private music lessons, labs, and ensembles, which entail repertoire-based performance and one-on-one training are disqualified from transferring.

Berklee main campus and academic partnership ensembles and private music lessons are eligible to transfer depending on major.

Private Lessons

Students enrolled in the guitar or piano performance majors will begin their private lessons at level 1. During the first week of the semester, their instructor will assess their proficiency and determine if they should be placed in a different level. If the student has completed undergraduate-level private instruction at a regionally accredited institution, they may be eligible to receive transfer credit for the levels they place out of. If the student does not have credit bearing private instruction or their coursework does not meet the necessary criteria for transfer, the student will be awarded prior learning credit for the levels they place out of. Students in the voice performance major must complete all nine (9) level of private lessons at Berklee.

Music Theory and Composition Courses

Some majors require students to complete a Music Theory and Composition sequence. Unfortunately, traditional music theory and harmony courses are non-compatible with these courses. In rare cases, transfer credit for comparable coursework completed at external institutions will be considered for levels 1 and 2 (OCOMP-110 and OCOMP-111); however, levels 3 and 4 (OCOMP-210 and OCOMP-211) must be completed at Berklee.

Students may be requested to provide additional documentation for their external courses when seeking transfer credit for Music Theory and Composition levels 1 and/or 2.

Electives

Students may transfer general education courses in fulfillment of the general education requirement or general music courses in fulfillment of the elective requirement. External general education courses cannot be used to fulfill the elective requirement even if they have a music component (e.g. a Music History course is eligible to fulfill the history or arts/humanities requirement, but it is precluded from fulfilling the elective requirement).

Prerequisites

While transfer credit can be used to fulfill curriculum requirements, it is not eligible to fulfill prerequisites for a Berklee Online course unless the transferred course is determined to be a direct equivalent to the requisite course. For some Berklee Online courses, students will be required to take a placement exam. If the student does not receive the necessary score, they must complete the appropriate Berklee Online course to fulfill the prerequisite regardless if the course will fulfill a remaining program requirement.

Credit Deficits

In order to complete the bachelor’s degree with Berklee Online, students must fulfill all of their program requirements and earn a minimum of 120 credits for a single major or 165 credits for a double major. Occasionally, a course that is less than three (3) credits may be transferred to fulfill a three (3) credit Berklee Online requirement. In cases where there is no additional credit to balance this, it creates a credit deficiency, causing the student to be short of the required number of credits to graduate. Credit deficits must be made up either by completing additional Berklee Online coursework, by applying for prior learning credit, or by completing additional external credit in the same subject area as the credit deficiency. Any external course will first need to be approved by the Transfer Team by submitting the Provisional Credit Approval Form available on the Program Policies and Forms page

If a student enters the Berklee Online bachelor’s degree program with a credit deficit, it will be notated in red in the bottom right hand corner of the program summary box on the first page of the Official Transfer Evaluation that the student receives from the Transfer Team. This will not appear on student’s My Progress tab. Students are responsible for tracking and resolving credit deficiencies prior to graduating.

Transfer Credit Removal

Once transfer credit has been awarded, it becomes part of the student’s academic record. As such, it can only be removed under rare circumstances such as cases of an articulation error or instances in which a student has retaken the equivalent Berklee Online course for which they received transfer credit. If a student does not wish to seek transfer credit in their bachelor’s degree program, they must submit the Request to Decline Transfer Credit form prior to the Transfer Evaluation process taking place.

Courses Not Eligible for Transfer

• Berklee Online does not accept the following types of courses: intro to computers, engineering, physical education, and vocational training including but not limited to auto mechanics or nursing.
• Berklee Online does not accept writing courses completed at international institutions where instruction is not in English in fulfillment of the writing/composition requirement.
• Berklee Online does not accept high school level courses such as SUPA.
• Berklee Online does not accept Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).
• Berklee Online does not accept graduate-level courses in fulfillment of undergraduate-level requirements.
• Berklee Online does not accept remedial or developmental level courses.
• Berklee Online does not accept coursework with a grade of “C-” or below.
• Berklee Online does not accept courses taken through a 3rd party vendor/website such as Straighterline.
• Berklee Online does not accept courses that do not have defined learning objectives or classroom-based instruction, such as private lessons, labs, ensembles, or internships completed at external institutions. In rare cases, students in the Guitar Performance major may be approved for transfer credit by their private lesson instructor, provided their external coursework meets a certain set of criteria.
• Berklee Online does not consider any external courses as equivalent to OCOMP-210 Music Theory and Composition 3 and OCOMP-211 Music Theory and Composition 4.
• Berklee Online does not accept coursework repeated for credit.
• Berklee Online does not accept coursework that equals less than 3 semester credits to fulfill the core music requirements.
• Berklee Online does not award transfer credit for a specific course based on content spread across a series of external courses.
• Berklee Online does not award credit for coursework that does not fulfill a specific degree requirement.
  
• Berklee Online does not accept coursework taken on a pass/fail basis, unless it is clear that a pass equates to a grade of “C” or better.
• Berklee Online does not accept ungraded coursework, with the exception of Joint Services Transcripts and schools using narrative evaluations to measure performance.

Transfer Credit Process for Prospective, Admitted, and Matriculated Students

The Berklee Online Transfer Team assists students in determining how their completed undergraduate-level coursework will apply to the Berklee Online bachelor’s degree requirements. The process that students must follow when working with the Transfer Team depends on their stage.

Prospective Students

• Prospective students interested in receiving an estimate of eligible transfer credit to
  the Berklee Online bachelor’s degree program are welcome to request an unofficial evaluation by filling out the Unofficial Transfer Evaluation Request Form available on the Program Policies and Forms page.
• Students must submit unofficial copies of all of the transcripts they wish to have evaluated. These should be attached as .doc, .pdf, or .jpeg attachments. Please make sure that all documents are accessible, legible, and in English.
• Students will be sent an unofficial transfer evaluation to the email address associated with their account within 7-10 business days of the request being received.
• Students who have submitted their Berklee Online bachelor’s degree application are not eligible to request an unofficial transfer evaluation. If the student is admitted to the degree program, they will be sent an Official Transfer Evaluation within 7-10 business days of being notified of their acceptance.

Applicants

• Applicants to the Berklee Online bachelor’s degree program should submit official transcripts directly from all previous institutions attended with their application to the degree program. A transcript is considered official only if it is sent directly from a college/university to Berklee Online. Transcripts that have been opened, mailed or emailed from the student are not considered official and, therefore, are not acceptable for transfer credit.
• For those students admitted to the bachelor’s degree program, an electronic copy of their Official Transfer Evaluation will be sent to the email address associated with their account within 7-10 business days of being notified of their acceptance.
• Students who have submitted college-level transcripts and are awarded no transfer credit will be notified by the Transfer Team.
• Students who do not wish to seek transfer credit for their completed college-level coursework must inform the Transfer Team in writing prior to the credit being applied by emailing transfer@online.berklee.edu.
• Students offered provisional acceptance will not receive their evaluation until they have satisfied the terms of their admission.

Admitted

• Students admitted to the Berklee Online bachelors’ degree program who have completed additional
  coursework since their acceptance must submit a Transfer Credit Reevaluation Form available on the Program Policies and Forms page as well as an updated official copy of their transcript to Berklee Online.
• The course(s) must be completed with a grade of C, 73%, 2.0 or better.
• Students who feel they are eligible for additional credit than awarded can submit the transfer credit appeal through the Transfer Credit Reevaluation Form available on the Program Policies and Forms page. A syllabus must be provided for each course they wish to have reconsidered. Please note that the syllabus must be from the year the course was completed.

Matriculated

• Students currently enrolled in a Berklee Online bachelor’s degree program who are seeking to fulfill a
  remaining requirement by completing additional external credit must first get their
  coursework approved by submitting the Provisional Course Approval Form available on the Program Policies and Forms page. Please note that additional information such as a course syllabus may be requested.
• Upon review of the official course description and/or syllabus, the student will be
  notified whether the course can be accepted and which Berklee Online requirement it will fulfill.
• Students are encouraged to complete the Berklee Online Consortium Agreement paperwork to ensure the proper dispersal of financial aid.
• The course(s) must be passed with a grade of C, 73%, 2.0 or better. Once the coursework is completed, the student must submit the Transfer Credit Reevaluation Form available on the Program Policies and Forms page and send an official copy of the transcript to Berklee Online.

General Education Requirements

* Please note that these subject lists are not exhaustive.

Advanced Placement (AP) Examination Credit Course Summary

AP scores can be sent directly to Berklee Online using code 6774

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Credit Course Summary

CLEP scores can be sent directly to Berklee Online using code 6283

DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST) Credit Course Summary