Accreditation
Berklee (inclusive of Berklee College of Music, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Berklee Online, and Berklee's campus in Valencia, Spain) is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education* (NECHE) and authorized by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. Inquiries regarding the accreditation status by the Commission and authorization by the state of Massachusetts should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact:
*As of August 1, 2018, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education is listed on the Department of Education's list of recognized accrediting agencies as the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Institutional Research and Assessment maintains Berklee's accreditation. Berklee completed its 10-year self-study and reaccreditation visit in 2013. In its official letter to the college summarizing the results of the 10-year self-study and evaluation process, NEASC commended Berklee for “the remarkable progress made by the institution since its last comprehensive evaluation.”
The letter specifically praised Berklee for:
- implementing “a mandatory audition and interview as part of the admissions process”;
- tripling “applications over the past decade”;
- increasing selectivity and reaching enrollment goals;
- increasing the percentage of ALANA (African American, Latino, Asian American, and Native American) students by 100 percent;
- increasing the number of female students by 20 percent;
- increasing student financial aid from $10 million to $36 million and creating the Presidential Scholar program;
- developing a music theory and technology program for visually impaired students;
- ensuring that “institutional assessment and systematic review are in place in all areas of the institution”;
- exceeding the “first capital campaign goal by raising $54.5 million and constructing its first ‘purpose-built’ 16-story facility”; and
- expanding the online program and offering new degrees through Berklee Online.
In addition, NEASC commended Berklee’s “robust financial resources and excellent physical and IT resources.”
NEASC also confirmed accreditation for the Master of Music and Master of Art degrees and praised the graduate and study abroad programs offered at Berklee’s campus in Valencia, Spain. It was impressed by “the fact that all 74 students” in the first class of the graduate program graduated in July 2013, and they praised the way that the Valencia campus is integrated into Berklee.
Our most recent official confirmations of accreditation are as follows:
- 2018 NEASC Fifth Year Interim Report Approval
- 2017 NEASC Proof of Accreditation
- 2016 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Merger Approval
- 2016 NEASC Approval of Master's Degrees in Boston
- 2015 NEASC Approval of Master's Degrees in Valencia
Berklee submitted additional reports to NEASC as follows:
2018:
2017:
- 2017 Substantive Change Request: Online Master's Degrees
- 2017 Substantive Change Evaluation: Merger with Boston Conservatory
2016:
- 2016 Substantive Change Request: Master's Degree Programs, Boston Campus
- 2016 Substantive Change Request: Merger with The Boston Conservatory
2013:
- 2013 Berklee Self-Study for Reaccreditation
- President Roger H. Brown's official letter to the community regarding our 2013 reaccreditation effort
Additional Accreditation
Berklee's music therapy programs are approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), which is affiliated with the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
- Approval for Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy
- Approval for Master of Arts in Music Therapy
- Application report for Master of Arts in Music Therapy (NASM)
- Supplemental application report for Master of Arts in Music Therapy (AMTA)
Annual NASM Accreditation Data Survey