Harvard/Berklee Dual Degree Program
In July 2016, Berklee announced a dual bachelor's/master's program with Harvard. Upon completion of the program, you'll earn a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) at Harvard College and a Master of Music (M.M.) or a Master of Arts (M.A.) at Berklee. The program is designed for exceptional musicians interested in a diverse range of artistic careers as well as an elite liberal arts education.
During the first three years of the program, you will focus on the A.B. curriculum in the concentration of your choice at Harvard and take private instruction at Berklee. You will also take ensembles at either institution. Each semester, you must pass the appropriate instrumental proficiency assessment at Berklee. At the end of the third year, you will also complete an audition and interview to confirm your readiness to begin the Master of Music or Master of Arts program at Berklee. In the fourth year, you will complete all requirements for the A.B. degree at Harvard.
During the summers throughout your first four years, you may choose to complete additional appropriate course work to prepare for Berklee’s M.A. or M.M. programs. You may do so at Berklee’s campuses in Boston or Valencia, Spain, or online.
In the fourth year, you'll complete all requirements for the A.B. degree at Harvard. In your fifth year of study*, you'll complete all requirements for the M.M. or M.A. degree from Berklee.
Berklee's M.M. and M.A. programs include those in scoring for film, television, and video games; global entertainment and music business; music production, technology, and innovation; and contemporary performance.
For more information about this program, contact the Graduate Studies Department at graduatestudies@berklee.edu.
*The fifth year of study includes a short (six- or seven-week) summer semester.
To participate in the program, you must apply to both Harvard and Berklee, indicating on your Berklee application your interest in the Harvard/Berklee dual degree option. You must complete all of the required components of both applications, including an audition and interview with Berklee prior to acceptance.
Alternatively, Harvard students, during your first year of study, may apply to the dual degree program. To do so, you must complete a Berklee application, including an audition and interview with Berklee prior to acceptance.
Costs
Costs consist of four years of Harvard tuition and fees for the A.B. program, and one year of Berklee tuition and fees for the M.A. or M.M. program. For private lessons, ensembles, and necessary preparatory courses at Berklee during fall and spring semesters in the first four years, students are charged $8,000 annually.* Students who choose to participate in summer semesters at Berklee in Boston or Valencia, Spain, or online, pay the regular summer session tuition and fees.
*Depending on the master's program selected, students may be required to meet Berklee's laptop and software requirements.
Upon completion of this program, you will:
- synthesize liberal arts and musical knowledge;
- synthesize contemporary harmonic and stylistic practices;
- create and improvise music in a liberal arts context;
- develop your own identity as an artist and/or music professional; and
- develop a sustainable career plan.