Berklee

Majors, Minors, and Programs
Young musicians come to Berklee from every corner of the earth to study music, and as a result, Berklee is a uniquely
international college. Of all U.S. colleges and universities, Berklee has the largest percentage of undergraduate students
from outside the U.S.: 22.8 percent, representing more than 75 countries.
But diversity is about more than background. Students at Berklee are exposed to a range of instruments, musical styles, and
career options, so they can explore possibilities and find their own paths. Toward that end, Berklee offers student musicians
courses of study toward a fully accredited four-year baccalaureate degree or professional diploma in the 12 majors below.
Composition
Study tonal harmony, counterpoint and fugue, tonal composition, twentieth-century
compositional techniques, instrumentation, and orchestration. MORE
Contemporary Writing and Production
Study composition, arranging, scoring, and production techniques and approaches, and apply
those skills and concepts by writing for and overseeing the production of a wide variety of
instrumental, vocal, acoustic, and electronic combinations, ranging from small workshop
groups to a studio orchestra in live performance situations and recording studio
environments. MORE
Electronic Production and Design
Master a wide range of contemporary synthesis and production tools and systems, while
absorbing their theory and principles. This learning occurs in state-of-the-art labs with top
industry professionals. MORE
Film Scoring
Develop a foundation of creative musical skills, including composition, counterpoint,
orchestration, conducting, and computer/synthesis skills; learn the technical basis and
mechanics of preparing synchronous music for use with visual media. MORE
Jazz Composition
Develop the creative application of the basic musical elements of melody, harmony, and
rhythm in the contexts and practices associated with jazz music. MORE
Music Business/Management
Learn the skills, concepts, and methodologies necessary to manage the legal, financial, artistic,
and ethical issues that face the contemporary music business professional. MORE
Music Education
Develop skills, concepts, and methodologies in the following areas: music theory and
composition, musicianship, history, arranging, orchestration, improvisation, conducting,
teaching with technology, solo performance techniques, vocal and instrumental techniques and
pedagogy, and the relationship of music to other fields of knowledge. MORE
Music Production and Engineering
Learn about the creation and production of recordings of music and how to successfully
complete recording projects that are typical of those found in contemporary professional
recording and production environments. MORE
Music Therapy
Learn skills necessary to practice as a professional music therapist. These include a
foundation in music theory, history, composition, arranging, keyboard, guitar, voice,
improvisation, and conducting, as well as clinical skills including principles of therapy,
exceptionality, and the therapeutic relationship. MORE
Performance
Learn skills, concepts, and methodology sufficient to demonstrate a level of proficiency on a
principal instrument typical of that generally required in professional performance. This is
achieved through private lessons, which include proficiency-based final exams, instrumental or
vocal labs, and performance studies classes. Related departments: Bass, Brass, Ear Training,
Ensembles, Guitar, Percussion, Piano, Strings, Voice, and Woodwinds. MORE
Professional Music
Enter into an advising relationship with departmental staff resulting in the designation of an
area of concentration for major study and an individual educational plan for course work
leading to mastery in that area. MORE
Songwriting
Develop skills in melody, harmony, and arranging as well as creative approaches to musical
composition, lyric writing, and an individual writing style. MORE
Dual Majors
Students may combine many of Berklee's 12 majors, depending on the nature of the program. The dual major program
requires a five-year course of study and is available to both degree and diploma candidates.

Minor Programs of Study

Starting in the fall 2010 semester, currently enrolled students are now able to complete a minor
program of study in addition to their declared major. The purpose of a minor course of study is
to provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to gain a breadth and depth of
understanding in a focused area of study. Minors at the college are specifically planned to
expand a student's ability to undertake specialized courses of study outside of their declared
major.
Minors consist of a minimum of 10-12 credits and represent a focused specialization.
Minors include a progression of courses that represent significant study, immersion, and
intellectual knowledge of a subject area upon completion.
Course work completed under the guidelines of a minor may be used to fulfill other degree
requirements as appropriate.
Declaration of a minor does not allow a student to bypass specified prerequisites.
Students may complete only one minor course of study for inclusion on their official transcript.
Students must maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.70 in the courses within their
declared minor in order to receive credit for the minor course of study and indication of the
minor on their official transcript.
Students currently on academic probation may not declare their intent for a minor course of
study.
Declaration of a minor is initiated with the stated department chair of that minor.

Acoustics and Electronics
American Roots Music
Audio Design for Video Games
Conducting
Drama
English
History
Instrument Repair
Music and Society
Performance Studies in Latin Music
Philosophy
Psychology
Theory of Jazz and Popular Song
Video Game Scoring
Visual Culture and New Media Studies
Writing for TV and New Media

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Majors, Minors, and Programs

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