Undergraduate Degree Program

Bachelor of Arts

Music Production Degree

Apply for January 9, 2023 semester start • Get a decision within 2 weeks

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

Read Less

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Curriculum

Updated September 8, 2021

(120 Credits)

Concentrate Courses (45 Credits)
Complete two of the following (6 credits):
OMPRD-180Pro Tools 101
OMPRD-221Pro Tools 110
OMPRD-380Mixing and Mastering with Pro Tools
Complete the following (27 credits):
OMPRD-160Music Production Analysis
OMPRD-162Critical Listening 1
OLMSC-215Acoustics
OMPRD-210Audio Fundamentals for Recording
OMPRD-355Microphone Techniques
OMPRD-365Vocal Production
OMPRD-420Art of Mixing
OMPRD-475Creative Music Production Skills
OMPRD-498 Music Production Capstone
Complete one harmony course from the following (3 credits):
OHARM-100Music Foundations or OHARM-101Music Theory 101 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
Choose one keyboard course from the following (3 credits):
OPIAN-100Berklee Keyboard Method or OPIAN-150Keyboard for the Electronic Musician or OPIAN-210Intermediate Keyboard or OPIAN-220Blues and Rock Keyboard Techniques or OPIAN-230Pop/Rock Keyboard or OPIAN-240Piano Scales 101 or OPIAN-315Jazz Piano
Choose one additional course from the above or from the following (3 credits):
OCMUS-105Time and Rhythm 1 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 or OCOMP-250Counterpoint or OCWPR-130Arranging 1: Rhythm Section or OCWPR-231Arranging: Small Ensemble and Horns or OCWPR-250Arranging and Producing Contemporary Music Styles or OCWPR-332Arranging: Advanced Horn Writing or OCWPR-333Arranging: Woodwinds and Strings or OCWPR-334Contemporary Vocal Arranging or OCWPR-335Jazz Arranging

Elective Courses (33 Credits)
Choose five from the following (15 credits):
OMPRD-202Sound Design for the Electronic Musician
OMPRD-205Music Writing and Production with the iPad
OMPRD-208Learn to DJ with Traktor
OMPRD-227Recording and Producing in the Home Studio
OMPRD-250Music Video Editing with Final Cut Pro
OMPRD-262Advanced Audio Ear Training for Mix Engineers
OMPRD-273Producing Music with Logic
OMPRD-275Producing Music with Reason
OMPRD-278Ableton Live Fundamentals
OMPRD-279Producing Music with Cubase
OMPRD-281Performing with Ableton Live
OMPRD-282Ableton Live Techniques: Sampling
OMPRD-287Live Sound: Mixing and Recording
OMPRD-295Introduction to Game Audio
OMPRD-341Introduction to Procedural Music Software with Max
OMPRD-342Audio Mastering Techniques
OMPRD-345Game Audio Production with Wwise
OMPRD-379Ableton Live Techniques: Synthesis and DSP
OMPRD-380Mixing and Mastering with Pro Tools
OMPRD-382Mixing and Mastering for the Electronic Musician
OMPRD-383Ableton Live Techniques: Non-Linear Creative Strategies and Composition
OMPRD-385Remixing
OMPRD-386Programming and Producing Drum Beats
OMPRD-389Audio Post Production for Film and TV
OMPRD-402Creative Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for Music and Visuals
OMPRD-425Advanced Mixing and Mastering with Pro Tools
OMPRD-480Sylvia Massy: Creative Approaches to Recording and Producing Music
Complete any six courses, except Liberal Arts courses coded with OLART, OLSOC, or OLMSC, in a given student's area of interest and professional development (e.g., music business, songwriting, arranging, orchestration, etc.) (18 credits).

Liberal Arts Courses (42 Credits) +
Complete one Composition/Writing (OLART) course from the following (3 credits):
OLART-111 Introduction to 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) courses from the following (12 credits):
OLART-100 Developing Your Artistry
OLART-111 Introduction to College Writing
OLART-160 Introduction to Digital Cinematography
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
OCDAN-103 Introduction to Iconic Dance and Urban Movement
OCTHR-103 Script Analysis for Theater
Complete four Social Sciences (OLSOC) courses from the following (12 credits):
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 four Math and Physical / Natural sciences (OLMSC or OMBUS) courses from the following (12 credits):
OLMSC-101Music Production 101
OLMSC-130Applied Mathematics for Musicians
OLMSC-150Introduction to Computer Programming for Musicians
OLMSC-260Sampling and Audio Production
OMBUS-475Music Business Finance

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

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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

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