Undergraduate Degree Program

Bachelor of Arts

Music Production Degree

Apply by June 2 for June 30 semester start:
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Gain an expert-level education in creating and producing music directly from Berklee's accomplished faculty. Throughout this program, you will learn to multitrack record, overdub, edit, and mix music in a variety of styles using complex digital audio systems. This program will give you the analytical and professional skills needed for a variety of music production-focused careers including music producer, recording engineer, mix engineer, mastering engineer, live sound engineer, sound technician, and more.

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

Operate the ins and outs of a digital audio workstation with efficiency and proficiency using the standards of an audio professional
Produce, mix, and master a recording using a keen musical ear developed through intensive music theory, harmony, and ear training
Lead a recording session with the technological and musical authority to bring out the best sound and performances in your collaborators
Achieve commercial-level recording quality in a variety of recording and production environments, whether it’s in a high-tech studio or a remote setting with minimal gear
Draw upon a repertoire of creative production techniques and practices that will stand the test of time amid technological advances and emerging styles
Develop your unique style as a producer while also having the flexibility to work on any project or genre
Demonstrate audio engineering expertise that utilizes state of the art technology and puts to use a comprehensive knowledge of mechanics and acoustics
Incorporate acquired knowledge into an intellectual frame of reference to apply to all aspects of music production

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Overview Curriculum How to Apply Tuition & Financial Aid Related Music Career Roles Apply Now Apply by July 21 for September 29 semester start Request Info

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Curriculum

(120 Credits)

Concentrate Courses (45 Credits)
Complete one of the following (3 credits):
OMPRD-180Pro Tools 101 or OMPRD-221Pro Tools 110
Complete the following (36 credits):
OMPRD-162Critical Listening 1
OMPRD-160Music Production Analysis
OMPRD-210Audio Fundamentals for Recording
OMPRD-228Writer, Engineer, Producer in the Home Studio
OMPRD-320Art of Mixing
OMPRD-355Microphone Techniques
OMPRD-365Vocal Production
OMPRD-375Creative Music Production Skills
OMPRD-430Pop Music Mixing Techniques
OMPRD-480Sylvia Massy: Creative Approaches to Recording and Producing Music
OMPRD-442Audio Mastering Techniques
OMPRD-498 Music Production Capstone
Complete one harmony course from the following (3 credits):
OHARM-100Music for Beginners or OHARM-101Music Theory 101 or OHARM-104Music Theory Fundamentals or OHARM-105Music Application and Theory or OHARM-110Getting Inside Harmony 1 or OHARM-201Music Theory 201: Harmony and Function or OHARM-211Getting Inside Harmony 2 or OHARM-212Harmony 2 or OHARM-301Music Theory 301: Advanced Melody, Harmony, Rhythm or OHARM-412Reharmonization Techniques or OCOMP-110Music Theory and Composition 1 or OCOMP-111Music Theory and Composition 2 or OCOMP-210Music Theory and Composition 3 or OCOMP-211Music Theory and Composition 4
Choose one ear-training course from the following (3 credits):
OEART-115Basic Ear Training or OEART-119Ear Training 1 or OEART-120Ear Training 2 or OEART-215Ear Training for Live Performance or OEART-320Harmonic Ear Training: Recognizing Chord Progressions

Elective Courses (33 Credits)
Complete any 11 courses, except Liberal Arts courses coded with OLART, OLSOC, OLMSC, or OAFST in a given student's area of interest and professional development (e.g., music business, songwriting, arranging, orchestration, etc.) One course must be coded with OMBUS. (33 credits).

Liberal Arts Courses (42 Credits) +
Complete one Composition/Writing (OLART) course from the following (3 credits):
OLART-111 College Writing or OLART-201 Creative Writing: Literature Studies for Musicians or OLART-215 Creative Writing: Poetry or OLART-216 Creative Writing: Finding Your Voice
Complete one History (OLART) course from the following (3 credits):
OLART-170 Rock History or OLART-220 History of Film Music or OLART-231 Art History of the Western European Tradition or OLART-233 Music History of the Western World 1: Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque or OLART-234 Music History of the Western World 2: Classical, Romantic, and Modern
Complete any four additional Arts/Humanities (OLART, OMPRD, OCDAN, OCTHR, OAFST) courses from the following (12 credits):
OLART-100 Developing Your Artistry
OMPRD-110 Music Video Production
OAFST-110 Black Creative Expression: An Introduction to Africana Studies
OLART-111 College Writing
OLART-160 Digital Cinematography Fundamentals
OLART-170 Rock History
OLART-201 Creative Writing: Literature Studies for Musicians
OLART-205 Game Design Principles
OLART-215 Creative Writing: Poetry
OLART-216 Creative Writing: Finding Your Voice
OLART-220 History of Film Music
OLART-231 Art History of the Western European Tradition
OLART-233 Music History of the Western World 1: Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque
OLART-234 Music History of the Western World 2: Classical, Romantic, and Modern
OLART-400 Career and Job Success in the Music Industry
OMPRD-250 Music Video Editing with Final Cut Pro
OMPRD-251 Creative Video Editing with Adobe Premiere
OCDAN-103 Iconic Dance and Urban Movement
OCTHR-103 Script Analysis for Theater
Complete four Social Sciences (OLSOC) courses from the following (12 credits):
OLSOC-100 Wellness for Artists: Music, Movement, and Mindfulness
OLSOC-150 The Language of Film and TV
OLSOC-180 Project Management for Musicians
OLSOC-200 Business Communications
OLSOC-210 Music, Self, and Society
OLSOC-226 New Media Economics: Music, Mobile, Gaming, and Online Markets
OLSOC-307 Music Cognition
Complete three Math and Physical / Natural sciences (OLMSC or OMBUS) courses from the following (9 credits):
OLMSC-101Music Production 101
OLMSC-130Applied Mathematics for Musicians
OLMSC-150Computer Programming Fundamentals
OLMSC-200A Scientific Approach to Nutrition and Health for Performing Artists
OLMSC-250Music and Neuroscience
OLMSC-260Sampling and Audio Production
OMBUS-475Music Business Finance
Complete the following (3 credits):
OLMSC-215Acoustics

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

Apply by July 21 for September 29 semester start

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Create an account in our application portal, and complete / submit your online application. You'll need:

A 500-750-word essay, or a 3-5-minute video essay

The email addresses / contact information of two recommenders who will provide your letters of recommendation

Start / Resume Your Application

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Read the full details of undergraduate admission requirements here.

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Online undergraduate degree tuition vs. campus tuition

Affordable Tuition

Online undergraduate degree tuition is $62,150 ($63,350 Sept onward) for 120 credits (includes associated fees).

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: