| Frequently Asked Questions
When and how should I declare my major?
It is recommended that a student declare his or her major during the third semester. A student may declare earlier, but Berklee encourages students to wait until they have had time to explore as much as they can about potential majors.
Students declare their major by filling out a Declaration of Major form at the major department.
What is the difference between Liberal Arts and General Electives?
Liberal Arts are courses such as English, Western Civilization, History of Art, Social and Physical Sciences, and are only required of students in the degree program. Liberal Arts classes are each 3 credits and have a course number starting with the letter "G".
General electives are courses that are not required for your major or program to graduate. They can have any credit value and can be earned from any course offered at Berklee. For example: an MP&E major would like to take Introduction to Film Scoring. This class is not required of the major, so it would count as a General Elective class.
What is the difference between the degree and diploma programs?
Both program are four years long. Students in the diploma program may take a maximum of 13 credits and are not required to take liberal arts classes. Students in the degree may take a maximum of 16 credits and are required to take liberal arts classes.
Can I change my principal instrument once I've begun at Berklee?
Any student can request to change their instrument. They need to begin the process with an advisor in the C&AC, unless the student is in his or her first semester. In this case, he or she would go to the Admissions office. Students must complete all required proficiencies on the new instrument, and will be held financially responsible for extra private instruction credits.
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