Academic Policies

Academic Year

The academic year at Berklee consists of two 15-week semesters, fall and spring, and one 12-week summer term. Students enrolling in fall and/or spring semesters must attend full-time, but may elect to attend part-time during the summer term. For more information, see Full-Time and Part-Time Attendance.

Catalog Year Policy

Berklee College of Music features a dynamic curriculum that balances traditional music education with the very newest in contemporary music studies. As such, the major curricula are constantly evolving as new courses are developed and added. Catalog year determines the set of academic requirements (both liberal arts and major) that must be fulfilled for graduation. Students must fulfill the academic requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of their matriculation as a degree- or diploma-seeking student at Berklee in order to graduate.

Registration

There are two general registration events scheduled each year for students to select courses for the following term. These occur toward the end of the fall and spring terms. A registration manual is published in the fall and spring terms with registration and course schedule information. Students should start with the registration manual; however, my.berklee.net is the place where most registration information and activity takes place.

It is strongly advised and, in fact, each student's responsibility to seek academic advising through the Counseling and Advising Center, departmental advisors, and/or peer advisors before attempting to register for courses. Students with outstanding financial obligations must make prior arrangements with the Office of the Bursar in order to register.

The college may make changes to a student's registration schedule in situations including but not limited to the following: (1) if a course is cancelled, or (2) if the student becomes ineligible to enroll in a course due to failing a requisite course or is no longer in a major required for the course.

Check-In

Check-in is held a few days before the start of classes each semester. Information about check-in is posted on my.berklee.net and in the registration manual. Check-in begins with full payment of the tuition bill and all fees by the established payment deadline. Loans, financial aid, and scholarship funds that can be verified by the Office of the Bursar will count toward full payment. A late fee of $250 will be assessed to students who do not settle their bill by the payment deadline. After settling their bills, students should check in online using my.berklee.net. (At present, all international students and all entering students must check in in person with the Counseling and Advising Center or the designated international check-in location.) The deadline for check-in is 5:00 p.m. on the Friday of check-in week. Once checked in, students may view and make changes to their schedules online.

Late Check-In

There is a $250 fee for checking in after the deadline. (This fee also applies to students who ask to have their schedules held past the check-in deadline.) Students who do not check in by the deadline, and whose schedules have not been put on hold, will be deregistered from all their courses following the check-in deadline. Those schedules may be rebuilt depending on seat availability at the time of late check-in.

Full-Time and Part-Time Attendance

The college's resources are designed to serve its full-time enrollment and do not allow for the unrestricted enrollment of part-time students. All students are considered full-time and charged the full-time diploma or degree tuition fee regardless of how many credits they are registered for, unless a student meets the criteria and is authorized to be part-time. Part-time status must be authorized by the college.

Part-time status is defined as enrollment in less than 12 credits with authorization by the college. It is the student's responsibility to request authorization for part-time status. Beginning summer 2010, requests for part-time authorization must be received on or before the Friday of the first week of classes to be effective for the same semester. Part-time study is charged on a per-credit basis. Students receiving financial aid or scholarship funds who are requesting part-time status must consult with the Office of Financial Aid or the Office of Scholarships and Student Employment, respectively, to determine how part-time status will affect their awards.

Note: Part-time status may be granted for domestic students under the following special circumstances:

• A student who has completed at least one full-time semester at Berklee may study part time during the summer semester. (Authorization is required for all students by the Counseling and Advising Center or the Vice President for Enrollment.)
• A student who has fewer than 12 credits required for graduation remaining. (Authorization is required for all students by the Counseling and Advising Center or the Vice President for Enrollment.)
• A student who has fewer than 24 credits required for graduation remaining, including sequential courses which require the student to enroll for at least one semester beyond the semester for which part-time status is being requested. (Authorization is required for all students by the Counseling and Advising Center or the Vice President for Enrollment.)
• Students enrolled only in internship courses approved by the college. Internships approved by the Office of Experiential Learning generate academic credit and involve a substantial workload commitment, comparable to full-time study. Internships may or may not include compensation. It is the responsibility of international students to contact an international student advisor to apply for work authorization. Practicums offered through
• the Music Therapy and Music Education departments are not within the purview of the Office of Experiential Learning. Authorization is required for all students by the Office of Experiential Learning.
• Students enrolled only in Music Education Practice Teaching/Seminar. Practicums supervised by the Music Education Department involve a substantial workload commitment, comparable to full-time study. A minimum of 450 clock hours practice teaching and weekly seminars are required. Authorization is required for all students by the Music Education Department.
• Students enrolled only in the Music Therapy Internship supervised by the Music Therapy Department. This post-course work experience extends through two semesters and involves 1,040 hours of full-time music therapy experience at a clinical site approved by the American Music Therapy Association. Students enrolled in the first semester of the internship are considered to be active Berklee students throughout the completion of the internship in the second semester.
• A student with a documented physical, learning, or psychiatric disability for which the college determines that part-time enrollment is a reasonable accommodation. In the case of learning disabilities, documentation must be submitted to disability services staff in the Counseling and Advising Center. The definition of disability is outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. (Authorization is required for all students by the Counseling and Advising Center.)
• Berklee graduates.

Part-Time Attendance Policy for F-1 Visa Holders

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) requires schools to electronically report the number of credits F-1 students enroll in each semester. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations require students in F-1 nonimmigrant status to attend college on a full-time basis and define full-time as at least 12 required credit hours per semester. Only the following exceptions are allowed:

• During an annual vacation semester: Students who meet DHS vacation semester guidelines and Berklee's part-time criteria may enroll in fewer than 12 credits during a DHS-approved vacation semester with authorization from the Counseling and Advising Center.
• To complete course of study in current term: Students may be permitted to enroll in fewer than 12 credit hours during their final semester of study before graduation if they have fewer than 12 credits and no prerequisite sequences remaining and will satisfy all (credit and non-credit) graduation requirements during that semester.
• Documented illness or medical condition: A student may be allowed to enroll in fewer than 12 credit hours if sufficient medical documentation from a licensed doctor (defined by DHS as a doctor of osteopathy, doctor of medicine, or licensed clinical psychologist) is submitted to the Counseling and Advising Center. This basis for part-time authorization must be reestablished each semester that part-time is granted. Documentation requirements and more information may be obtained at the Counseling and Advising Center.

Students must obtain authorization from the Counseling and Advising Center prior to enrolling in fewer than 12 credit hours. If students fall below 12 credits without prior approval, under SEVIS requirements this is considered a "reportable event," and the college is required to report it to the DHS within 21 days. If the reason for less than full-time attendance is not among those listed above, the college is required to report the student's F-1 status as "terminated."

SEVIS reporting requirements necessitate that international students enroll in at least 12 credit hours every semester. Students in their first or second semester of study in the United States may be permitted to complete fewer than 12 credits if they are having initial difficulties with the English language or reading requirements, or unfamiliarity with American teaching methods. Students must receive a recommendation from their teacher(s) and authorization from their international advisor prior to going below 12 credits and must resume full-time attendance at the next available semester. When a student does not have 12 required credits remaining but cannot complete their program in the current semester due to prerequisites, he/she will need to enroll in classes not required for their program in order to maintain F-1 status. Students are responsible for their academic decisions. Therefore, Berklee strongly encourages students to plan their course work with an academic and international student advisor each semester to develop an immediate and a long-term study plan that will maximize their meeting DHS enrollment requirements during their course of study at Berklee.

Any international student wanting fewer than 12 credits must see an international student advisor in the Counseling and Advising Center. Failure to maintain full-time status has serious implications, such as inability to have an I-20 signed, loss of work permission, and/or being required to leave the U.S. It is the student's responsibility to maintain status.

Students authorized for part-time status by the published deadline will be charged on a per-credit basis.

Summer Use of Resources

The college allows students who are registered for the upcoming fall semester to use "open" resources during the summer. These include the Stan Getz Library, the Learning Support Services, and the Career Development Center.

Facilities Only

The college provides a facilities-only option for use of practice rooms, ensemble rooms, mailboxes, and lockers during the summer term. During the spring and fall terms, when there is high demand for these facilities, this option is available only to students who need to complete outstanding graduation requirements that do not require course attendance.

Students using this privilege will be charged a facilities fee. The late fee and comprehensive fee are not applicable. If a student opts not to complete check-in after registering for facilities-only status, fees will be dropped. Students enrolled in the facilities-only program are not considered officially enrolled in the college.

Eligibility for specific semesters is determined by the following guidelines:

Summer Term
1. Any student who is registered as a full-time or part-time student for the following fall term.
2. Any student who graduated at the end of the previous spring term.
3. Any student qualifying for fall or spring facilities-only use.

Fall or Spring Term
Only potential graduates who have graduation requirements outstanding that do not include course attendance such as:

1. instrumental proficiency exams
2. final projects
3. recitals
4. credits that will not require class attendance
 a. make-up on incomplete grades
 b. grade changes
 c. credit by exam
 d. transfer credit

Students using the facilities-only program for completion of outstanding graduation requirements will be authorized for one term only.

International students cannot use facilities-only status to count as an enrolled semester for purposes of F-1 status for SEVIS regulations.

Schedule Adjustments (Add/Drop)

After first registering for courses for a given term, students may go back to make adjustments to their course schedule as appropriate. There is a brief period before the start of check-in when this option closes down. Students add or drop classes using my.berklee.net. Students are advised to check their schedule and charges on my.berklee.net after adding or dropping courses.

Effective summer 2010, the add/drop period at the beginning of each term will be the first five days of the semester. After the initial five days of classes, students will not be permitted to drop a course from their schedule. In those semesters that begin on a Tuesday, the add/drop period extends through the following Monday.

Effective summer 2010, and in conjunction with the implementation of the five-day add/drop period, the Late Add period will be the second week of classes.

Students may petition to add a course to their schedule after the five-day Add/Drop period. A petition for a late add must be approved by the instructor of the course and the course chair. Any questions about registration, check-in, or schedule adjustments may be directed to the Office of the Registrar.

There is no Late Drop Period. After the initial five days of classes, students will not be permitted to drop a course from their schedule.

Students may withdraw from classes through the ninth week of classes in the fall or spring, and through the eighth week in the summer term by submitting an advance grade of "W" form (see Withdrawal from Classes).

Any questions about registration, check-in, or schedule adjustments may be directed to the appropriate course chair or the Office of the Registrar.

Attendance

Attendance is required in all classes, private instruction, instrumental labs, and ensembles, beginning with the first scheduled meeting. Absences must be addressed directly with the course instructor to determine impact on student progress and/or overall grade. The faculty member may also provide more specific information on attendance policies. Classes, labs, and ensembles are scheduled to start promptly on the hour and to end ten minutes before the hour. Late arrival is both unprofessional and disruptive.

Berklee recognizes that its students will be presented with professional opportunities, such as job interviews, auditions for professional positions or graduate school, and exceptional performance opportunities (including those sponsored by Berklee). Students hoping to take advantage of such opportunities are not excused from course assignments or deadlines. Such students are required to discuss with their course instructors, in advance, the ramifications of any related absences.

Students may initiate withdrawal from a class by submitting a Student-Initiated Withdrawal from a Class form at the Office of the Registrar. (See Withdrawal from Classes for details.) Once the withdrawal deadline has passed, all registered students will receive a course grade based on the stated grading criteria.

Missed Course Material

Students who are absent from any class meeting are responsible for making up the missed material and course work themselves. The instructor is not required to repeat material that a student has missed.

Absence

Notification of student absences should be directed to the faculty member via voicemail or email prior to the absence. Students, friends, or family members may notify the college of absences by calling:

Professional Education: 617 747-2664
(includes Liberal Arts)
Music Technology: 617 747-2408
Professional Performance: 617 747-2025
Professional Writing: 617 747-8629/8630

Ensembles

Students are expected to attend all meetings of their ensembles. Instructors must be notified in advance if an unavoidable absence is foreseen. In addition, the student must arrange for a suitable replacement to fill his/her role in the ensemble. Failure to send a substitute player will result in a grade of "F" for the ensemble. The grade of "F" will stand as a final grade except in cases of extraordinary circumstance as determined by the department chair.

Private Instrumental Instruction

As with ensembles, every effort must be made to notify private lesson instructors of absence prior to the scheduled lesson time. Failure to do so may result in the loss of scheduled time for the remainder of the term and/or a grade of "F."

College-Organized Performing Groups

If a student is asked to participate in extra rehearsals of college-organized ensembles, the student must first obtain permission from the instructor of any conflicting classes, ensembles, or private lessons. In such instances, provisions under Attendance shall prevail.

Absence Due to Religious Beliefs

Students who are unable, because of their religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examinations, studies, or work requirements on a particular day shall be excused from such and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up examinations, study, or work requirements which they may have missed; provided, however, that such make-up examination or work shall not create an unreasonable burden upon the college. No fees of any kind shall be charged. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result with any students because of their availing themselves of the provisions of this rule.

Return to the College after Absence

A student who is hospitalized for psychological reasons during the course of the semester or during any school break must provide to the director of counseling services in the Counseling and Advising Center a copy of the hospital discharge summary and a letter from a treating licensed medical or mental health care provider stating that the student is psychologically stable and ready to return to the residence halls, classrooms, and common areas on campus. In some cases, a similar letter may also be required of students who medically withdraw from the college but are not hospitalized or who are suspended from the college for serious behavioral incidents. All such letters should verify that the student requesting readmittance poses no direct threat to himself or herself or to others and that the student is otherwise qualified to return to school. The readmittance review team (RRT) will review the student's request for readmittance and make a recommendation to the Office for the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students regarding the student's ability to function safely within the residence halls, classrooms, and common areas on campus. The RRT's primary goal is to ensure the student's safe and successful return to the residential and academic programs at Berklee College of Music. To that end, the RRT seeks to support students upon their reinstatement and gladly offers assistance in identifying a treatment plan for the student, if one is needed and if one is not already in place.

The Office for the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students has the authority to grant or deny the student's request for reinstatement. All such decisions are final and are not subject to appeal. The Office for the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students may condition a student's reinstatement upon a showing that (1) the student is not a direct threat to himself or herself or to others and (2) the student is otherwise qualified to return to school. Failure to make such a showing will result in the denial of the student's request for readmittance.

Withdrawal from Classes

The add/drop deadline is five days after the start of classes. After this deadline, students cannot drop a course from their schedule; however, they may withdraw from a class by completing a Student-Initiated Withdrawal from a Class form at the Office of the Registrar. They will receive a grade of "W" for that class. They continue to be financially responsible for that class and are not eligible for a tuition refund or replacement course. Please be aware that withdrawing from a class may affect students' scholarship, financial aid, and/or international student visa status. If they receive financial aid or veterans' benefits, they may reduce their eligibility for aid by withdrawing. If they are an international student, they may jeopardize F-1 visa status.

The withdrawal form must be completed before the end of the week following midterm week. The student then receives a grade of "W" for the classes from which he/she withdraws. The student may not withdraw from a class and initiate a grade of "W" after the end of the week following midterm week.

Withdrawing from a class is the responsibility of the student. The instructor will not withdraw a student from the class for any reason (including absence) or submit the form for the student. It is the student's responsibility to withdraw from the course. In case of doubt about registration status and options, ask the instructor, department chair, the Office of the Registrar, and/or the Counseling and Advising Center.

Withdrawal from the College

Students who wish to withdraw from the college for any nonmedical reason must complete a Withdraw from the College form, which they can obtain at the Office of the Registrar. Students withdrawing before the end of the fourth week of either the fall or spring semester are entitled to a credit of part of their tuition. After the fourth week, no credit will be made. Students withdrawing by the end of the third week of classes in the summer semester are entitled to a credit of their tuition on the basis of assessing 25 percent of the semester's tuition per week of attendance. After the third week, no credit will be made. No deduction is made for temporary absence, nor is any credit granted if students are suspended, dismissed, or leave the college without formally withdrawing. In some instances, financial aid awards may be prorated upon withdrawal from the college. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

If a student's withdrawal is based upon a properly documented medical condition, the student may be eligible to pursue tuition refund through A.W.G. Dewar, Inc. All students purchase tuition insurance through A.W.G. Dewar, Inc. as part of their comprehensive fee each semester of enrollment. Students should schedule an appointment with the associate dean of student life by calling 617 747-2310 to initiate a withdrawal for medical reasons.

International students in F-1 status should consult their international advisor in the Counseling and Advising Center prior to submitting a Withdrawal from the College form as it will affect immigration status.

Withdrawal from the College and Financial Aid

Students who receive Title IV federal financial aid and who fully withdraw from Berklee on or before the 60 percent point in the term (in calendar days) are entitled to keep only the portion of Title IV federal student aid that he or she has earned to that point. If a student who is receiving federal financial aid withdraws after the 60 percent point of the term, he or she is considered to have earned all of their federal student aid for that semester.

Federal law requires that a student must earn his or her federal student aid or the funds must be returned to the federal financial aid programs. If any federal aid was disbursed directly to the student, the student is responsible for returning unearned funds to the federal financial aid programs in a timely manner. Failure to do so may result in the student being ineligible for future federal student aid.

Title IV federal financial aid includes Federal Pell Grants, Federal SEOG, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Direct Stafford Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized), and Federal Direct PLUS Loans. Federal Work-Study is excluded.

For those who officially withdraw from the college, the withdrawal date is the date the student completed the college's withdrawal process. If the student does not officially withdraw, the date is either the midpoint of the semester or a date determined by documented academically related activity.

Students not receiving any federal financial aid who withdraw before the end of the fourth week of either the fall or spring semester or the end of the third week of the 12-week summer semester are entitled to a partial credit of tuition and residence hall/board charges under the college's standard refund policy. Refunds are made on the basis of assessing 20 percent of the semester's tuition per week (or portion thereof) of attendance for fall/spring, and 25 percent for summer. After the fourth week of the fall or spring semester, and after the third week of the summer semester, no refund of tuition or fees will be made.

Additional information about the return of Title IV federal student aid and withdrawal is available from the Office of Financial Aid.

Refunds to the student and/or to the federal financial aid programs by the student or the college will be made within 30 days of the date that the college determines the student has withdrawn.

The chart on this page will help explain how refunds are calculated. Refer to the column that applies to a student's withdrawal/federal student-aid status at Berklee. The college will calculate a student's refund (return of Title IV aid) under the policy which applies to a student's status and withdrawal.

Note that when a student fully withdraws, any adjusted Berklee charges that have not been paid are still owed to the college.

Refund Percentage Chart

Fall and Spring Semesters

Summer Semester

* These percentages are weekly guidelines; actual refunds are based on calendar days. This represents the amount of student aid that is unearned at the point of withdrawal and may be returned to the federal student aid programs.

Tuition Insurance

Low-cost tuition insurance is provided to all enrolled students through A.W.G. Dewar, Inc. If illness or injury causes students to withdraw from a semester, they are insured for 100 percent of tuition and, if living in a Berklee residence, for housing costs. Students who withdraw for mental health reasons are reimbursed for 75 percent of tuition and Berklee residence expenses. In both circumstances, a licensed U.S. physician must verify to A.W.G. Dewar, Inc. that the student's medical condition prevents semester completion. Berklee policy regarding withdrawing from the college and financial aid may affect the refund amount. Berklee scholarship funds and financial aid awards are automatically repaid to the college first. Berklee's standard tuition refund policy covering the first four weeks of the fall and spring semesters, and the first three weeks of the summer semester (below) is applied first. Berklee pays one portion of the refund. The remaining amount is paid by A.W.G. Dewar, Inc. Details of this plan appear on the Berklee College of Music website.

Withdrawal from Special Programs

Special, short-term programs, such as ESL, Guitar Sessions, etc., have separate withdrawal policies that are articulated in the application and registration materials for each program.

Semester Level by Earned Credit

Student semester levels are determined by the program of study (degree or diploma) and the total number of credits a student has earned. It is not determined by the number of semesters a student has been enrolled. See the chart on detailing semester levels with credits earned.

Program Credit Limit

The most efficient way to graduate in the earliest possible time period is to register each term for the maximum credits allowed in the diploma program (13) or degree program (16).  Students registering for and passing at least 12 credits per term (diploma) and 15 credits per term (degree) will still reach the minumum credits required for graduation (96 for diploma and 120 for degree) in eight semesters (see Graduation Requirements).

Credits Earned

Maximum Extra Credits per Term

Students may register for up to four extra credits each term and will be charged per credit for each extra credit. Diploma students may register for 17 credits and degree students may register for 20 credits.

First-semester entering students and transfer students generally may not exceed the registration credit limit of their programs. Students wishing to register for more than four extra credits who have demonstrated high academic achievement and/or high musical proficiency should seek approval from the academic advising coordinator in the Counseling and Advising Center.

Change of Program

Students enter the college in either the diploma or degree program. Following their initial enrollment at Berklee, students wishing to change their program need to apply at the Counseling and Advising Center.

There are no specific requirements to change from the degree to the diploma program other than meeting established deadlines. Students wishing to change from the diploma to the degree program must meet with an academic advisor and must be in good academic standing after completing at least one semester at Berklee. Effective summer 2010, applications for change of program (degree or diploma) must be received by the Friday before the first week of classes in order for the change, if approved, to be effective for that semester. Applications received after this date will be effective, if approved, for the following semester. International students in F1 visa status must be issued a new Form I-20 with the updated program. In most instances, new financial documentation will be required prior to the Form I-20 and Change of Program being processed by the Counseling and Advising Center. For more information, contact the Counseling and Advising Center.

Declaration/Change of Major

College policy requires that all students declare a major field of study by their third semester credit standing. If students have not declared a major and are currently in their second semester credit standing or higher, they will need to declare prior to their registration window.

Students enter Berklee without an official major and may declare a major to take effect in their third semester. To begin the process of declaring a major, students should visit the departmental office of the major in which they are interested. Performance majors should begin with their instrumental department. There, students will complete a Declaration of Major form to be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.

Students may not graduate without declaring a major. Effective summer 2010, applications for declaration/change of major must be received on or before the Friday before the first week of classes in order for change, if approved, to be effective for that semester. Applications received after this date will be effective, if approved, for the following semester.

Electronic Production and Design/Music Production and Engineering

In order to ensure the proper amount of hands-on experience, the electronic production and design (EP/D) and music production and engineering (MP&E) majors currently limit enrollment. Students interested in EP/D and MP&E must apply for admission to the majors' departments before final approval of the declaration of major can be given. Special deadlines for applying for admission into EP/D and MP&E will be posted. Information regarding this process can be obtained from the EP/D and MP&E departments.

Music Education/Music Therapy

Admission to the music education and music therapy majors is restricted to degree candidates and requires departmental approval.

Students interested in the music therapy major must apply for admission to the major at the Music Therapy Department before final approval of the declaration of major can be given. An application and instructions for the music therapy interview and audition can be obtained from the Music Therapy Department or online at berklee.edu/majors/music_therapy.html.

Students interested in the music education major should visit the Music Education Department to obtain information about admission to the major.

Music Business/Management

Music business/management is restricted to degree candidates; diploma enrollment requires departmental approval.

Performance

Students may declare the performance major by their third semester of credit standing, but it is highly recommended that they do so during their second semester of study. Students who intend to declare the performance major must visit their instrumental/voice department chair and request an Intent to Declare Performance Major form. It is strongly recommended that students planning to declare the performance major have grades of B or higher in private instruction, ear training, and ensemble/lab.

Professional Music

Admission to the professional music major requires a departmental advising meeting and a contract of agreed-upon course work to be outlined by the department chair or designee.

Berklee Laptop Purchase Program (BLPP)

The BLPP includes an Apple Macintosh laptop computer, an external MIDI keyboard controller, an audio interface, and licensing to essential software applications in use at Berklee. Much of the software included in the package is pre-installed and configured for the Berklee environment. These laptops can connect to Berklee's extensive campus wireless network, allowing users easy access to technology resources throughout the college.

The computer comes with a three-year warranty from Apple that includes worldwide service and support from Apple Computer. In addition, support is available from Berklee's Office of Academic Technology via the Student Computer Support Center. The warranty ensures that Apple-authorized technicians will perform repairs, and parts and labor will be covered for three years. The plan includes global repair coverage, which can be very important for traveling abroad. Please note: Items not covered under warranty include, but are not limited to:

• Physical damage (breakage, cracks)
• Liquid spills
• Cosmetic damage (scratches, dents)
• Damage or failure due to abuse, neglect, or inappropriate use
• Extreme physical or electrical stress
• Consumables, such as batteries and power supplies, unless due to defect
• Loss or misplacement of the computer
• Theft

Berklee strongly recommends that students protect and care for their computer as they would any other valuable resource.  Repairs not covered under warranty can be very expensive. Berklee also strongly advises students to investigate alternate means (personal insurance or other insurance) to protect them in the event their computer is damaged or stolen. If breakage or other damage occurs (regardless of fault), the student is liable for the cost of any and all repairs or replacement. Safeware Inc. offers laptop insurance to Berklee students that can be purchased at safeware.com/berklee.

Student Computer Support Center

The Student Computer Support Center (SCSC) at Berklee provides support to students for their BLPP laptops, all supported software packages, Berklee internet services, and all Berklee-provided technology resources. The SCSC is part of Berklee's Office of Academic Technology. Hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The center is closed on weekends and college holidays.

Students can contact the SCSC by:

• Visiting it in person at 186 Mass. Ave., lower level
• Sending an email to 8800@berklee.edu
• Calling extension 8800 (617 747-8800)

Computer Requirements for Berklee Students

Berklee requires all entering students to own an Apple laptop computer that meets the college's minimum specifications. To facilitate this requirement, the college has made exclusive arrangements to purchase large numbers of computers from Apple Computer and software from various software companies. This bulk purchase of computer hardware and software provides a comprehensive system at an exclusive discount price that is well below the best market price for this package. Visit berklee.edu/computers for more information on this program.

Summer Session Students

Students who attend only the Twelve-Week Full-Credit Summer Program are not required to purchase a BLPP laptop. However, summer session students should be aware that some classes require a computer and that enrollment in those classes may be denied, or classes may be quite difficult to complete, without an Apple laptop that meets the college's minimum requirements.

Change of Principal Instrument

The college requires all students to declare a principal instrument upon application to the college. In order to graduate, students must meet the graduation requirements on a single principal instrument. Performance majors registered as having dual instrument status will be required to meet graduation requirements on their dual instruments.

Students should be aware that changing from one instrumental department to another may jeopardize scholarship status, extend progress toward graduation, and significantly affect future semester changes. Scholarship recipients must consult with the Office of Scholarships and Student Employment before changing their principal instrument, as it may affect future scholarship eligibility.

A student may request a change of principal instrument(s) by completing a Change of Principal Instrument request form and being granted approval by the chair of the new instrumental department. Forms can be found at the individual instrument departments or the Performance Division office, both of which can also provide information and advising on the possible implications of such a change.

Effective summer 2010, applications for change of principal instrument must be received by the Friday before the first week of classes in order for the change, if approved, to be effective for that semester. Applications received after this date will be effective, if approved, for the following semester.

The best time for a student to change instruments is prior to registration. Questions pertaining to this change should be directed to the instrumental departments involved.

Private Instrumental Instruction (Lessons)

Instrumental instruction prepares students to satisfy the requirements of their instrumental department. All majors require at least four semesters of instrumental instruction on a single principal instrument, with the following majors having additional requirements:

• Professional music and music education: six semesters
• Performance: eight semesters

Enrollment in private instruction is controlled in the following manner: students can enroll in one private instruction course per term within full-time tuition, up through the maximum private instruction requirements of their major. Courses in which non-passing grades are earned ("W," "F," "IF") count toward the maximum allowed within tuition. Students will be charged for any additional PI taken above the maximum number of semesters required for their major on a per-credit basis. Private instruction taken when students are enrolled on a part-time basis is charged on a per-credit basis and does not count toward the maximum lessons allowed within full-time tuition.

Grading System and Academic Standing

Academic standing and eligibility for a degree or diploma are determined by the quality of course work. To determine academic standing, the college uses a point system, each qualitative grade having an equivalent numerical value.

Grading System

Note: The college does not rank its students.

Calculating the Grade Point Average

Quality points are computed by multiplying the course credit by the numerical value of a qualitative grade assigned. A semester Grade Point Average (GPA) is obtained by dividing the number of quality points earned in that semester by the number of credits attempted and graded in that semester. The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CumGPA) is obtained by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of credits attempted and graded.

For students who repeat courses, with the exception of ensembles and labs (and private lessons taken before the 1992 fall semester), the lower grade/credit will not be calculated into the cumulative grade point average. However, all courses and grades remain a part of the student's permanent record and will continue to appear on transcripts.

Grade Reports

Grades are withheld from students owing money to the college. Students needing a printed copy of their grades can print an unofficial copy from their my.berklee.net accounts or request official transcripts to be sent by the Office of the Registrar.

Questions regarding grades received should be directed to the individual instructor.

Grade Change Policy

All grades, except for the grades of "I" or "NA," filed with the Office of the Registrar are regarded as final (see Incomplete Grade Policy for changing a grade of "I"). Students who disagree with a given grade should take the matter up immediately with the course instructor. The final grades "IF" and "W" cannot be changed. Students should be aware that the possibility of changing a grade diminishes with the passage of time due to faculty changes and the discarding of individual class records.

Repeat Course Policy

Students may enroll in a course for a second or subsequent time. Only the highest grade will be computed into the CGPA and concentrate CGPA (see Calculating the Grade Point Average). The repetition of a course will not eliminate the previous grade from the student's record, nor may additional credit toward graduation be earned by repeating a course. Please note that ensembles and certain instrumental labs may be repeated for credit towards graduation up to the maximum allowed in each major. (Contact the appropriate instrumental department for clarification.)

Credit by Exam

Students seeking to obtain Credit by Exam (CBX) for a course should apply to the course chair who is the final source of determination. The following limitations and stipulations apply:

1. CBX will not be available for courses in which both proficiency and participation are the criteria for credit.

2. Courses passed by CBX are not counted as part of a semester's course load.

3. A minimum grade of "B" must be earned in exam and/or project assignments for CBX to be awarded.

4. Courses for which a student received a grade of "F" or "I" are not eligible for CBX; in these cases, the policies governing Grade Change apply.

5. All current schedule changes (including those involving CBX) must be completed by the published deadline (end of the check-in period).

6. In order to graduate, enrollment and participation is required in a minimum of 60 credits (degree), 48 credits (diploma), or 24 credits (two-year certificate).

Review of Academic Records

At the end of each term the Office of the Registrar conducts a review of student records to determine each student's academic standing, including graduation honors, dean's list, satisfactory progress, academic probation, academic suspension, and academic dismissal. The following policies governing academic standing are applicable as stated to all students.

Dean's List

Students averaging honor grades for any given semester are placed on the dean's list. Specific criteria for inclusion on the list are as follows:

1. Credit-load requirements:
   • Students must earn at least 12 credits in the semester in question and achieve a grade point average of 3.40 or above; or
   • Students granted permission for part-time study must earn 8-11 credits and achieve a grade point average of 3.60; or
   • Students with documented special needs must achieve a grade point average of 3.40 and earn 8 or more credits.
2. No grade in the semester in question may be lower than "C."
3. The dean's list is calculated based on all the grades received by the registrar by the deadline at the end of the second week of classes in the following semester. Students should be aware that they must submit any work satisfying a grade change to their instructors for review well in advance of the deadline for the dean's list.

Academic Success and Progress

The definition of satisfactory academic success and progress includes minimum standards for cumulative grade point average (CumGPA) and a calculation of completion rate (credit hours completed divided by credit hours attempted). Students with a CumGPA below 2.00 at the completion of a semester or who fall below the minimum credits to be earned according to the chart below will be placed on academic probation for the following semester.

In order to be removed from probation, a minimum CumGPA of 2.00 must be earned by the end of the next semester of enrollment, and the required number of credits need to be attained, as outlined in the chart, below. Students on probation are expected to meet with an academic advisor in the Counseling and Advising center to discuss their academic status and strategies for improvement. Students receiving financial aid and/or scholarship may lose their eligibility if placed on probation.

Students who fail to progress satisfactorily after being placed on probation may be suspended for one semester (not including the summer semester). Following academic suspension, the student will remain on probation until the requisite CumGPA of 2.00 has been earned.

Failure to satisfy the terms of probation after readmission following academic suspension may result in permanent dismissal from the college.

If students are placed on academic probation for a given semester and then subsequent grade changes that improve students' CumGPAs and/or concentrate CumGPAs (CCumGPAs) are received by the Office of the Registrar by the end of the second week of the following semester, those students will be removed from probation status. Grade changes submitted after the second week of classes in the subsequent semester do not change students' probation status.

The chart on this page shows the minimum number of credits to be earned for the number of semesters attended. (Students who have approved part-time status due to accommodation for a documented disability will still be required to make satisfactory academic progress, but the required number of credits to be earned by the end of each semester will be set by the college at the time of the approval for part-time status.) Falling below these minimums, regardless of CumGPA, is unsatisfactory progress.

Major Field Academic Review

Students are required to maintain a CumGPA of at least 2.70 in the concentrate courses within their chosen major and optional minor field. If the CCumGPA falls below 2.70, the student will be placed on academic probation for the major and must meet with a departmental advisor to discuss his/her academic status and strategies for improvement. Two consecutive semesters of earning a CCumGPA below 2.70 will result in students being removed from their majors and/or minor concentrate courses.

The CCumGPA is derived from the grades earned in the concentrate requirements and approved concentrate electives of a declared major/minor field. If more approved specified electives than the prescribed number are taken, the CCumGPA uses the approved specified electives with the highest earned grades. Those approved specified electives that are in excess of the prescribed number are instead counted as general electives and therefore are not calculated in the CCumGPA.

Financial Aid and Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress in their chosen program of study in order to be awarded and continue to receive scholarships, grants, and loans, and to maintain their employment through Berklee College of Music. For federal funds and Berklee grant funds, a student's CumGPA must be at least 2.00 on a 4.00 scale; for Berklee scholarships, the CumGPA must be at least 2.50.

If a student fails to make satisfactory academic progress, he or she is notified of that fact by the Office of Financial Aid and/or the Office of Scholarships and Student Employment after grades have been posted at the end of the semester. The first notice is considered a warning notice. If the student fails to improve his or her standing as required by the end of the next academic term, the student's awards are cancelled. In the case of unusual circumstances, the student may appeal the denial of aid to the Office of Enrollment.

International Student F-1 Visa Status and Satisfactory Academic Progress

International students must maintain a 2.0 CumGPA and full-time enrollment for two semesters each year to maintain status. Students must sign up for and complete a minimum of 12 required credits for two semesters before being eligible for a vacation semester (except for spring entering students).

Incomplete Grade Policy

Under certain circumstances, students may request a grade of Incomplete ("I") from the instructor of their course in the final two weeks of the semester. The decision to grant the request rests entirely with the instructor of the course. Students must be passing the course, have satisfactory attendance, and be capable of completing the remaining course work by the start of the following semester. This option is not available for ensembles.

Grades of "I" are not calculated into the GPA. However, students do not receive credit for those courses, nor do those courses count as a prerequisite for another course until the "I" is changed to a passing grade.

Incomplete grades must be resolved by the end of the student's next semester of enrollment or, if the student is not enrolled, within one calendar year. Incompletes not resolved within this time period automatically change to a grade of Incomplete Failure ("IF"). The "IF" is averaged into all grade point averages as an "F." The grade of "IF" cannot be changed.

Late Make-Up Exam Fee

A fee of $15 must be paid for all late make-up midterm examinations. A fee of $25 must be paid for all late make-up final projects and final examinations. These fees must be paid at the Office of the Bursar, and the receipts must be presented to the instructor at the time of the make-up exam or when the late project is submitted.

Deficiencies in Program of Study

In the majority of cases, courses not completed with a passing grade during the academic year may be made up before the beginning of the next academic year in the summer semester. It is strongly recommended that students take advantage of this opportunity.

Deficiencies may also occur as a result of a student's change of major, instrument, or program. Deficiencies in music subjects must be made up by repeating the course at Berklee (see Repeat Course Policy).

Deficiencies in Liberal Arts subjects may be repeated at Berklee when next offered or, upon approval from the Office of the Registrar, may be made up at another institution. The student must receive an equivalent grade of "C" or better from the approved institution and have a transcript of that grade sent to the Office of the Registrar.

Graduation Requirements

At least four semesters of full-time study must normally be spent at Berklee to qualify for the diploma or degree. Further, all candidates seeking to graduate in a specific major field must attain at least a 2.70 CCumGPA in that major and must complete a required project in the chosen area of concentration, as described and approved by the department chair. In addition, an overall GPA of 2.00 must be attained to graduate. For music education majors, this includes completion of all observation and student teaching requirements. For music therapy majors, this includes completion of all course work and a six-month, full-time, post–course work internship.

In addition to successful completion of all required courses, proficiencies, projects, recitals, etc., students must complete a minimum number of credits to qualify for graduation.

Program	Minimum Number of Credits
Diploma	96
Degree	120
Music Education	132*
Music Therapy	122
Dual Majors
Diploma	126
Degree	150
Dual degree including Music Education	162*
Dual degree including Music Therapy	152

* with new requirement for state certification

Graduation requirement sheets for each major are available at my.berklee.net. Assistance in educational planning is available in the Counseling and Advising Center and from departmental advisors.

Honor Graduates

Students who at the time of graduation have attained the following CumGPAs have earned honor status and will have their diplomas and records inscribed with the appropriate honors.

Residency Requirements

All students, including candidates transferring from another school, are normally required to complete four semesters of full-time attendance and a minimum of 60 credits for the degree and 48 credits for the diploma at Berklee in order to graduate from the college. Credit by exam, advanced placement credit, CLEP credit, and transfer credit do not count toward the residency requirement, even if earned while attending Berklee.

Title II of the Higher Education Act (HEA)--Music Educator Recruitment, Preparation, Support, and Licensing

In October 1998, Congress enacted Title II of the Higher Education Act (HEA). Title II authorizes new federal grant programs that support the efforts of states, institutions of higher education, and their school district partners to improve the recruitment, preparation, and support of new teachers. Title II also includes new accountability measures in the form of reporting requirements for institutions and states on teacher preparation and licensing. Section 207 of Title II requires the annual preparation and submission of three reports on teacher preparation and licensing: one from institutions to states, one from states to the United States Secretary of Education, and one from the Secretary of Congress to the public.

The college received an aggregate pass rate of 94 percent for the 2005–2006 academic year. The Berklee Music Education program requires passing scores on both the MTEL Communications Skills and Music examinations as admission to the teaching practicum experience. Therefore, no student may complete the program without having achieved passing scores. The report also contains information on Berklee's teacher preparation program for the Music Initial Teaching License, including the number of students in the program, the number of students who participated in teaching practicum, and student-to-teacher ratios for supervision in practicums.

The administration and faculty at Berklee College of Music are committed to preparing exemplary classroom music teachers. While a student's success on the MTEL is only one part of becoming a classroom teacher, it is an important part, and the college supports students in every way possible to help them be successful.

Office of Institutional Research and Assessment

The mission of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment is to provide evidenced-based support for achieving the college's strategic plan and informing strategic direction. Toward that end, the office conducts research projects and builds an evolving body of quantitative and qualitative information that is integrated and applied to strategic goals, strategic planning, and decision-making.

The office oversees the collection of data and creation of reports for the college, including Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Common Data Set, Peer Comparison, and Course Evalution. It is also involved in research and assessment activities for other Berklee initiatives, such as Curriculum Review Initiative, Program Review, Faculty Development, and accreditation. In the spirit of conducting scholarly research, the office also undertakes ad hoc projects in Academic Affairs that support the mission of Academic Affairs.

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