Bachelor of Professional Studies

Guitar Degree


Develop the skills to become a professional guitar player. Through private lessons with Berklee's renowned faculty and a rigorous program of study that spans contemporary music styles, you will develop your unique sound, improve your technique, increase your musicianship, and harness technology to create professional-sounding recordings.

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The guitar program begins with your home studio and gear, teaching you how to effectively leverage these tools to deliver high-quality results. You'll also strengthen your understanding of harmony, ear training, and improvisation. From there, you'll dive into the technical challenges of professional performance, including scales, reading, chords, tone, fingerstyle technique, arranging, performing in an ensemble context, and advanced improvisational techniques.

Through elective coursework, you can choose to immerse yourself in a specific style or study several different ones, such as blues, rock, jazz, R&B, and more. Additionally, you will learn the fundamentals of how today's music industry works. Each semester, you'll work one-on-one with a Berklee professor in private guitar lessons that require the same proficiencies as the campus-based program. Your experience will culminate with a 60-minute performance and a demo reel geared toward securing professional work that aligns with a variety of career goals, including freelance musician, session player, touring musician, educator, and more.

Credit Transfer / Degree Completion

Berklee Online will accept up to 60 academic credits earned from an accredited institution, or earned from our certificate programs or individual courses.More about degree completion 

Admission Requirement: Recorded Video Audition

For the Guitar major, students are required to submit a recorded video audition, in which the student performs a prepared piece (original or cover) on guitar. The performance should be an unedited take, approximately 3-5 minutes in length, in any style that demonstrates the student's instrumental proficiency and overall musicianship. The video should be uploaded to a website like YouTube, with a link provided for review by the Board of Admissions.

More about admissions requirements  Read Less

Overview Curriculum How to Apply Related Music Career Roles Apply Now Start or resume your application Request Info

Curriculum

(120 Credits)

How should I set up my schedule, based on the above requirements?

Check out this handy planning guide to help you understand which courses you should take during which semester.

View Sample Schedule

How to Apply

  1. Fill out the online application (15 minutes)
  2. Create a 500-750 word essay, or a 3-5 minute video essay
  3. Prepare a recorded audition
  4. Attach your official transcripts
  5. Ask for two letters of recommendation


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Online undergraduate degree tuition vs. campus tuition

Affordable Tuition

Online undergraduate degree tuition is $64,380 for 120 credits. To get started, this degree program includes a $75 (non-refundable) application and a one time comprehensive fee of $350.


Available Financial Aid


Already started your degree, or want to transfer credits to complete your degree?

We will accept up to 60 academic credits earned from an accredited institution, or earned from our certificate programs or individual courses. Learn more here.

Related Music Career Roles

Employers look for skills learned in this degree program, when hiring for the following music roles:

Church Musician

Concertmaster

Cover Band Musician

Cruise Ship Musician

General Business Musician (Freelance Musician)

Military Musician

Music Director (Church)

Music Director/Curator (Radio/Streaming Service)

Music Director (Orchestra)

Music Director (Performing Artist/Band)

Music Director (Television)

Nonprofit Artist

Orchestra Musician

Pit Orchestra Musician

Private Music Instructor

Recording Artist (or Group)

Session Musician

Television Band Member

Touring Musician
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Enroll by December 14 to Save up to $200 on Select "Reading, Writing, and Rhythm" Courses