Berklee College of Music students must meet the following requirements to qualify for graduation:
- Attain at least a 2.70 cumulative GPA in major courses.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
- Complete the principal instrument proficiency level, as specified by major.*
- Complete a required final project in the chosen area of concentration, as described and approved by the department chair (as applicable).
- Complete a minimum of four semesters of full-time attendance (also applies to candidates transferring from another school).
- For music education majors, complete all observation and student teaching requirements.
- For music therapy majors, complete all course work and a six-month, full-time, post-coursework internship.
*Students must earn all required instrumental credit on a single principal instrument. Credit earned in instrumental instruction on a non-principal instrument may be applied toward instrument lab (ILxx) requirements. Students with principal instruments in the bass, brass, string, percussion, or woodwind families may use private instruction credit on more than one instrument within their respective family toward this requirement.
Honors
At the time of graduation, students who have attained a cumulative GPA within the following limits will have their diplomas and records inscribed with the corresponding honors.
| Honor | Cumulative GPA |
| Summa cum laude | 3.85–4.00 |
| Magna cum laude | 3.70–3.84 |
| Cum laude | 3.50–3.69 |
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 (48 credits for diploma students) at Berklee College of Music in order to graduate. Credit by exam (CBX), advanced placement credit, CLEP credit, and transfer credit do not count as residency requirement credits, even if earned while at Berklee College of Music.
Advisory Status
Berklee College of Music students are moved from Active Status to Advisory Status in their major when their major GPA falls below the minimum requirement of 2.70, based on final grades earned in their major-only courses at the end of the fall and spring semesters. (Advisory Status is not assigned following the summer semester.)
Students cannot graduate while in Advisory Status in their major. To stay on track and progress toward degree completion, they must return to Active Status in their major. Learn more about Advisory Status and how to return to Active Status.
