Undergraduate Degree Program
Bachelor of Arts
Music Production Degree
• $75 application fee waived through November 12
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
Curriculum
(120 Credits)
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Concentrate Courses (45 Credits)
Complete one of the following (3 credits):
- OMPRD-180Pro Tools 101 or OMPRD-221Pro Tools 110
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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
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Elective Courses (33 Credits)
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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).
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Liberal Arts Courses (42 Credits) +
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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-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 ScheduleHow to Apply
• Get a decision within 1 week
• $75 application fee waived until Nov 12
- 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 $62,150 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: