Berklee Online is the online school of Berklee College of Music, delivering access to Berklee’s acclaimed curriculum from anywhere in the world. We are the world’s largest online music school—30,000+ musicians from more than 140 countries have taken our courses—but classes cap at just 20 students per section.
Our programs provide lifelong learning opportunities to people interested in music and working in the music industry. The courses range from beginner to advanced graduate level.
What kind of subjects are taught?
Berklee Online offers more than 200 courses in every musical interest area: Everything from instruction on specific instruments (guitar, piano, bass, drums, voice) to music production software (Ableton, Pro Tools, Logic, and more) to larger concepts in music business, songwriting, theory, and composing for film, TV, and games
Do online students receive the benefits of an on-campus Berklee education?
Absolutely! Just like the students studying on Berklee’s Boston campus, Berklee Online students receive instruction from the same world-renowned faculty, with the added benefit of having music industry professionals from around the world teaching as well. You’ll also receive guidance from Berklee-trained Academic Advisors, and have the opportunity to walk at the Commencement ceremony in Boston with your cohort of graduates who studied online and in-person.
Admissions
What is the process to apply for/enroll in a Berklee Online program or course?
Certificate programs and online courses are offered on an open enrollment basis. Simply complete the online enrollment form and provide payment prior to the course start date and you’re ready to go! Degree programs require an application and supporting documentation. See the Admission Requirements for more details.
Will I receive a Berklee ID and/or email address?
Berklee Online degree students are eligible to request a Berklee ID. Upon acceptance into the program, degree students are also given a berklee.edu email address.
Courses
Can I take non-credit courses in a certificate?
All courses in a certificate program must be taken for credit.
Can I waive some for-credit courses into a certificate?
Students must enroll in a certificate by paying the $175 certificate registration fee prior to completing the final course in the program. All for-credit courses that have been awarded a passing grade and that align with a certificate program may transfer into that program.
Can I upgrade from a lower-level certificate to a higher-level certificate?
Yes! Berklee Online offers two certificate options:
CHANGE CERTIFICATE: When a student wants to change their lower-level certificate to a higher-level certificate (or vice versa) prior to the completion of the program. There are no additional fees for this option other than the cost of additional courses, and you will only earn one certificate upon completion.
STARTING A NEW CERTIFICATE: When a student wants to earn more than one certificate by having the courses from their lower-level certificate waived into a higher-level certificate. In this case, an additional $175 registration fee is required.
Faculty
Who teaches Berklee Online courses?
Berklee faculty and seasoned professionals teach our courses. Our instructors are recognized experts in their respective fields—they’ve produced and engineered hundreds of artists and numerous award-winning projects, and several of their students have gone on to earn GRAMMY Award nominations.
Financial Aid
Am I eligible for financial aid?
Financial assistance is available for Berklee Online degree programs. This assistance may come from a variety of sources including federal awards, outside scholarships, and private loans.
Federal financial aid is not available for non-degree programs. Non-degree students typically finance their costs out-of-pocket or with a private loan. Review our payment options.
Graduation
What happens if I turn in my graduation application late? Do I still need to apply by December 1 even if I don’t want to walk in the Commencement ceremony?
Because we must coordinate with the Boston campus for Commencement, it is essential that students planning to walk in the ceremony submit their graduation application by 12:00 midnight ET on December 1. If you submit your application late, you will need to wait until the following year to walk.
We ask all students planning to graduate within the current academic year to apply for graduation by December 1, regardless of their plans to participate in Commencement. Late application for students who do not wish to walk will result in processing delays for your academic record and diploma, and your name may not be listed in the ceremony program.
What’s the difference between graduating and walking in Commencement?
Great question! Walking in Commencement and graduating are two separate things.
You can walk in Commencement when you are nine (9) credits or less away from completing your degree requirements by the end of the spring term. Please note: Berklee Online degree students are not required to walk in Commencement in Boston.
You graduate when you have met all of the following criteria:
Attained at least a 2.70 cumulative GPA in concentrate courses
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00
Fulfilled all program requirements AND completed a minimum of 120 credits for a single major or 165 for a dual major
Completed a minimum of 60 institutional credits for a single major or 105 institutional credits for a dual major
Fulfilled all financial obligations to the college
Note Walking across the stage in Commencement does not mean that you have graduated. You will not officially graduate and receive your diploma until you meet all of the eligibility requirements.
I just finished my last term at Berklee Online! What happens next? Is there anything I need to do?
Congratulations on finishing! If you have already filled out a graduation application, you will want to double-check the "Graduation Checklist" to ensure you have taken care of all of the various items associated with graduating. If you have not filled out a graduation application, you will need to do that as soon as possible. You will not be able to graduate until we have received and processed your graduation application.
When will I get my diploma?
You will receive your diploma within 6-8 weeks of completing your degree requirements. Please keep in mind that instructors have up to two (2) weeks to submit final grades after the term concludes.
Diplomas are mailed to the address you include on your graduation application. If your mailing address changes after you have submitted your graduation application, be sure to update us at graduation@online.berklee.edu.
Keep in mind that if you are walking in Commencement, you will not receive your official diploma at the ceremony.
Transfer Credits
Can I find out how many transfer credits I am eligible for before I apply to the degree program?
If you are interested in applying to the Bachelor of Arts degree program and would like an estimate of the amount of transfer credit you would receive, you can request an unofficial transfer evaluation by emailing a copy of your transcript(s) to the Berklee Online Transfer Team at transfer@online.berklee.edu. Be sure to include your name, major of interest, and any additional questions you may have. You can expect to receive your assessment within 7-10 business days.
I didn’t receive credit on my Official Evaluation for all of the courses that I thought I would. What should I do?
The earlier you contact us with questions or concerns regarding your evaluation, the easier it will be for us to address any issues. Therefore, it is very important when you first receive your official transfer evaluation that you review the information carefully.
If you notice a remaining requirement that you believe you’ve already fulfilled, first consult our document on Common Reasons Credit Does Not Transfer. It’s possible that the course you are thinking of didn’t meet our eligibility requirements.
If none of those exclusions apply, please fill out a Transfer Credit Equivalency Re-evaluation form for the courses you wish to have reconsidered.
Sometimes, we are not able to locate specific information for a course online and we are not able to determine an equivalency, but we are always happy to review additional material which will help us make that determination.
Do my Berklee Online, Berklee campus, or Prior Learning Credit coursework count towards the 60 transfer credit limit?
No, credits completed at Berklee or through the prior learning process do not count towards the 60 transfer credit limit. This maximum is for credit-bearing exams and undergraduate-level coursework completed externally.
What is a credit deficiency and why do I need to make up credit?
Credit deficiencies are caused by transferring a course that is less than three (3) credits to fulfill a three (3) credit Berklee Online requirement. Students with a credit deficiency will be short of the minimum number of credits required to graduate once they have completed their program requirements. In order to be eligible to graduate, you will need to make up the credits you are deficient in.
While the Transfer Team does their best to avoid giving students credit deficiencies, it is not always possible. You can make up the credits you are deficient in by completing additional Berklee Online coursework, by applying for prior learning credit, or by completing additional external coursework in the area in which you are deficient.
Note all external courses will first need to be approved by the Transfer Team.
Can transfer credit fulfill prerequisites?
It depends. Generally, transfer credit cannot be used to fulfill prerequisites unless we determine that the course you completed is a direct equivalent to one of the courses we offer at Berklee Online. Keep in mind that there are some courses which require you to pass a placement exam. For these you will need to achieve a passing grade on the test to fulfill the prerequisite, otherwise you will need to complete the appropriate Berklee Online course.
Can I transfer credits to Berklee Online after I have started the degree program?
Yes, you can. To determine if the coursework you already completed or are considering taking is eligible to fulfill your remaining degree requirements, contact the Transfer Team at transfer@online.berklee.edu.
I am a Berklee campus student. Can I transfer courses from Berklee Online to my campus-based program?
For additional questions about transferring courses from Berklee Online to Berklee's campus programs please contact the campus transcript evaluator at transfercredits@berklee.edu.
Are Berklee Online courses transferable to other institutions?
Berklee Online is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), the same association that accredits our main campus and other leading academic institutions such as Harvard University and MIT. Our courses are transferable to other institutions, but it's up to the receiving institution to decide the number and types of courses that may transfer. We recommend getting a course pre-approved by an institution before enrolling.
Tuition
How do Berklee Online’s costs compare to other education options?
Berklee Online’s programs have a tuition cost that is approximately 64 percent less than on-campus tuition at Berklee’s Boston campus. Moreover, a recent study revealed that the average annual tuition at for-profit colleges is more than twice as expensive as Berklee Online. Even average annual tuition at other accredited non-profit online universities is roughly $11,000 more expensive than tuition for a year with Berklee Online!
There is a one time $175 registration fee per certificate program. Students may either pay per course term (at the $1,545.00 per credit course cost) or pay in full to receive a 10 percent discount. The registration fee and all courses for the term you wish to begin in must be paid in full in order to begin.
Online undergraduate degree tuition is $59,160 for 120 credits for all majors except the guitar major. Tuition for the guitar major is $63,660. Students taking 10 courses per year can complete the degree in four years at a cost of $14,790 per year. (Note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.)
Online graduate degree tuition is $33,120 for 36 credits. The Master of Music in Music Production and Master of Arts in Music Business programs are designed to be completed in one year of study. Both programs are comprised of 12 three-credit courses that can be taken during four 12-week semesters.
What is included in the cost of a course?
The cost for an individual course includes the tuition fee. The cost of required books, hardware or software must be purchased separately, unless it is stated that these costs are included with your enrollment. Some courses may include additional fees for files or content.
Berklee Online offers international students from over 164 countries the opportunity to study the renowned Berklee College of Music curriculum all without having to apply for a visa or leave their home country. Our experienced International Credential Evaluation Team is here to help!
Graduate Course and Certificate Enrollment (level 500-600)
Proof of a credential comparable to a 4-year US Bachelor’s degree earned at an accredited/recognized institution is required to enroll in a graduate-level (level 500-600) course or certificate.
submit a copy of your academic record (transcript/grade report)
For any document not issued in English, please provide a literal, word-for-word translation, in a similar format to the original. Note: the translation does not need to be official and can be self-prepared.
Provide a credential from an accredited/recognized institution that is comparable to a 4-year US Bachelor’s degree. To see if your international credential qualifies you to apply to the master’s program and to see which academic records you will need to provide as part of the application, please submit the Initial International Credential Review Request.
For any document not issued in English, please provide a literal, word-for-word translation, in a similar format to the original. Note: the translation does not need to be official and can be self-prepared.
For additional information on other admissions requirements (such as letters of recommendations, etc), please visit the Graduate Admissions Requirements page.
An academic record or transcript is a document issued by your school, examination board, or ministry of education that includes the following information:
Your name
Your program
Years of study
Courses, exams, modules you completed
Scores/grades that you earned
Credits earned (if applicable)
I completed my credentials in Canada and want to apply to the master’s degree program. Do I need to go through the initial credential review and evaluation process?
No, the initial credential review and evaluation processes are intended for degree applicants who studied outside of the US or Canada. Just make sure that any official transcript you submit as part of the application process is in English or accompanied by a certified literal English translation.
Are you going to let me know if I need to provide additional documents?
Yes! We will let you know if additional documentation is needed.
What if my school has U.S. Accreditation?
If your school has U.S. accreditation, then you do not need to submit a credential evaluation for that institution. We will accept transcripts sent directly from schools that have the following accreditation:
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Higher Learning Commission
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
How can I get a credential evaluation report?
We will accept a course-by-course evaluation from a NACES approved credential evaluation agency, such as ECE. Please see a full list of NACES approved agencies here. You will work directly with the agency during the evaluation process.
Note: The credential evaluation process can take several weeks to complete, and we strongly urge you to begin the process as early as possible. Your application will not be complete until we have received credential evaluation reports for all of your academic credentials.
What type of report should I get?
Berklee Online requires a course-by-course evaluation and grade point average (GPA) for all academic institutions you have attended.
If you are currently attending a university, you will need a course-by-course report for all grades/marks received to date.
If you have completed your degree program, you will need a course-by-course report of your postsecondary/university studies.
If you have attended more than one university or college, you will need a course-by-course report for each university, college, or conservatory attended.
I attended a Berklee College of Music Global Academic Partnership Institution. What do I need to know if I am applying to Berklee Online?
If you attended an international Berklee College of Music Academic Partnership school or a Berklee Online one, you can submit an official transcript from this institution without going through the credential review or evaluation process. Please note that your transcript must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation. You will, however, need to submit a credential evaluation for any secondary or any additional postsecondary studies completed outside of the US or Canada.
An important note regarding transfer credit: the Berklee College of Music Academic Partnerships are between the Berklee main campus and the external institution and ultimately do not extend to Berklee Online. Due to the differences in our curriculum, the transferable courses, credit amounts, and equivalencies will vary; however, we will honor the original transfer credit agreement wherever possible and adapt it as necessary to better align with Berklee Online programs.
Am I considered an international student if I studied in Puerto Rico?
No, applicants from Puerto Rico are not considered international and can submit official copies of their transcripts without going through the credential review or evaluation processes. Just remember that if your transcript is not issued in English, you will need to provide a certified translation.
I only have one copy of my academic record, what should I do?
If you are applying to our master’s degree program, your best option is to either contact your ministry of education or your institution to see if you can get a certified true copy of your academic record or transcript.
What is an official record?
An official document is one provided by an issuing authority (Ministry of Education, institution, examination board, etc.) in a sealed envelope that has been stamped or signed across the back flap by the appropriate administrator. This should be sent directly by the issuing authority to Berklee Online. Should the issuing authority give you the sealed envelope with the appropriate document inside, you can send it to Berklee Online provided you have not opened the envelope or tampered with the seal. Do NOT send original, personal copies of your documents as these will NOT be returned.
Can official documents be sent electronically?
Yes! We will consider documents as official if they are sent directly to us by the issuing authority through email or via a secure electronic delivery service. Please note that records emailed to us by the student or forwarded from the issuing institution by the student are NOT considered official. Emailed transcripts can be sent to materials@online.berklee.edu and must come from an appropriate administrator using an email address affiliated with the institution. In those cases where a school or organization does not provide an official email address, please have your administrator provide a signed cover letter in English (on official letterhead, if possible) to accompany the email.
What kind of translation do you need?
All translations must be literal, word-for-word, complete, and in a similar format as the original. Self-prepared translations are only acceptable for the Credential Verification and Initial International Credential Review process. If you are applying to one of our degree programs, you will be required to submit a certified translation, which can be completed by your institution, an embassy, or a professional translation service.
What is the next step after getting my credential verified?
If you are enrolling in a graduate non-degree course or certificate, you will want to reach out to an advisor regarding the next step. If you are applying to one of our degree programs at Berklee Online, the next step would be to submit an application. As part of this process, you will need to provide official copies of your academic records and certified translations if the original documents were not issued in English.
How long does it take to get my credential verified?
The credential verification and initial credential review process takes approximately 7-10 business days, although additional time may be required.
