Bachelor of Arts

Songwriting and Producing Music Degree

Apply by June 2 for September 29 semester start:
 • Get a decision within 1 week
• Apply in as little as 15 minutes

Music creators today are increasingly expected to have a versatile skill set that often combines songwriting and music production. The Songwriting and Producing Music major is designed to help you thrive in this multi-dimensional environment by strengthening your songwriting skills while developing your ability to record and mix professional-sounding music from your home studio using Pro Tools, Live, or Logic. 

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The program begins with a set of core music courses that provide a foundation in theory, ear training, and keyboard, essential information that will enable you to collaborate with other musicians. From there, you will explore the role of the producer, how to get the best sounds from your DAW, and techniques for recording drums, bass, guitar, piano, vocals, and other instruments. 

The Songwriting and Producing Music major includes in-depth focus on recording and producing the vocal, with an emphasis on capturing the proper emotion of a performance, in addition to the art of mixing to enhance the quality of your recordings. At the same time, you will learn techniques for strengthening the harmonic underpinnings of your songs and making your melodies more expressive. You will work in collaborative songwriting contexts across a variety of musical styles. 

The program features specific coursework designed to prepare you for work in creating music for advertising, film, and television and culminates with a capstone project in which you’ll create a portfolio that showcases your best work. Through elective coursework and a specialization that is akin to a minor, you will have a great deal of flexibility in choosing additional areas of focus that will enhance your skills, including additional music production and songwriting courses and courses in business, composition, arranging, and more.

Upon completion of the Songwriting and Producing Music major, you will be able to:

  • Set up, record, and produce professional-sounding recordings in your home studio
  • Use harmonic techniques such as modulation, cadence, and power progressions to craft hit songs
  • Construct strong, expressive melodies that your audiences will remember
  • Create vocal tracks that maximize emotional impact, while staying true to the artist and the song
  • Incorporate both a technical and artistic approach to mixing in order to deliver professional-level final mixdowns
  • Apply effective composition techniques for scoring a picture, creating original jingles, library track packages, and television themes according to industry standards
  • Write and produce songs that are “media friendly,” effectively communicating time, location, and dramatic tone in order for your music to be placed into visual media
  • Walk into a professional-level setting and creatively/effectively collaborate with other songwriters in the industry to create an impactful song
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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)

  • Elective Courses (33 Credits)

  • Complete any eleven courses, except Liberal Arts courses coded with OLART, OLSOC, OLMSC, or OAFST in a given student's area of interest and professional development (33 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 by July 21 for September 29 semester start

Your time is valuable, and our online application makes applying as straightforward as possible.
  1. 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
  2. Nice! After submission, be sure to order your official transcripts.

Read the full details of undergraduate admission requirements .



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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:

Related Music Career Roles

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

Lyricist

Performing Songwriter

Songwriter-Producer

Staff Writer

Top-Line Songwriter
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