Undergraduate Degree Program

Bachelor of Arts

Music Production Degree

There's still time to apply for September 26, 2022 semester start • Degree application deadline extended
• 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

Overview Curriculum How to Apply Tuition & Financial Aid Related Music Career Roles Apply Now Application deadline for
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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 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
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

Next semester starts September 26, 2022 • Degree application deadline extended!
• Get a decision within 2 weeks

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

Read full undergraduate admissions requirement details here.

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Online undergraduate degree tuition vs. campus tuition

Affordable Tuition

Online undergraduate degree tuition is $59,880 (current) / $60,600 (Sept. 2022 onward) 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: