Bachelor of Arts

Interdisciplinary Music Studies (Create Your Own Major) Degree

Apply for April 3, 2023 semester start • Degree application deadline February 6
• Get a decision within 2 weeks

Create your own major to better align with your interests and career path.

The music industry is undergoing enormous change, and as a result, musicians increasingly need knowledge of, and skills in, a number of different areas in order to succeed in their career. The Interdisciplinary Music Studies major provides you with considerable flexibility in choosing coursework across a number of disciplines to align with your personal career goals. With the help of an academic advisor, you create a personalized education plan, which includes three courses of your choosing in both music business and technology (two critical areas driving change in the music industry), in addition to a series of core music and liberal arts courses. You then choose additional courses in music production, composition, arranging, songwriting, performance, or other areas to strengthen your skill set specific to the career you are seeking. The program culminates with a capstone experience in which you complete an in-depth project that demonstrates your readiness for professional work or advancement in the music industry.

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Upon completion of the Interdisciplinary Music Studies major, you will be able to:

  • Analyze the structure of the music industry and opportunities for creating new business models amidst change
  • Evaluate new music technologies as they relate to the principles and practices of creating, distributing, and promoting music
  • Synthesize acquired knowledge into an intellectual frame of reference in your chosen area of concentration
  • Evaluate quality using both musical and technical criteria, and apply those criteria to your own work and to the work of others
  • Lead a creative project from conception to completion, demonstrating mastery in your chosen area of concentration
  • Develop a career advancement plan that articulates clear steps for securing and maintaining professional work in the music industry
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Overview Curriculum How to Apply Tuition & Financial Aid Related Music Career Roles Apply Now Degree application deadline Feb 6,
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Curriculum

Updated September 8, 2021

(120 Credits)

  • Elective Courses (39 Credits)

  • Complete 13 courses that align with your individual education plan. At least 6 of those courses must be at the three-hundred level or above. Choose from courses in OMBUS, OMPRD, OCOMP, OGUIT, OBASS, OPIAN, OVOIC, OPERC, OCWPR, OHARM, OEART, OSONG, OCDAN, OCMUS, OCTHR, OLINT, OMUTH, or OPERF. (39 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

Apply for April 3, 2023 semester start • Degree application deadline February 6
• Get a decision within 2 weeks
  1. Fill out the online application (15 minutes)
  2. Create a 500-750 word essay, or a 3-5 minute video essay
  3. Attach your official transcripts
  4. Ask for two letters of recommendation

Read full undergraduate admissions requirement details .



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Online undergraduate degree tuition vs. campus tuition

Affordable Tuition

Online undergraduate degree tuition is $60,600 for 120 credits (includes associated fees). To get started, this degree program includes a non-refundable $75 application fee.

Read full tuition and associated program fee details for this, and all other undergraduate programs here.



Available Financial Aid

Ready to Return to Berklee or Transfer in Credits from Another Institution to Complete Your Degree?

Students transferring in from an accredited institution can carry over up to 60 credits, and students with previous Berklee experience may be able to transfer even more.

Learn about our different transfer options:

Related Music Career Roles

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

Accompanist

Adaptive Arts Teacher

Arranger

Backup Singer

Bandleader

Cantor

Church Musician

Concertmaster

Conductor

Cover Band Musician

Cruise Ship Musician

Early Childhood Arts Educator

General Business Musician (Freelance Musician)

Instrument Repair Technician

Military Musician

Movement Coach

Music Director (Church)

Music Director (Orchestra)

Music Director (Performing Artist/Band)

Music Director (Television)

Music Director (Theater and Opera)

Music Director/Curator (Radio/Streaming Service)

Music Professor

Music Teacher PK-12

Nonprofit Artist

Opera Singer

Orchestra Musician

Orchestrator (Concert and Stage)

Piano Tuner

Pit Orchestra Musician

Private Music Instructor

Program Director (Performing Arts Education)

Recording Artist (or Group)

Repetiteur

Session Conductor

Session Musician

Soloist

Teaching Artist

Television Band Member

Touring Musician

Transcriber

Vocal Coach
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