Graduate Programs

Berklee's team of educators are leaders in the field of music education for students with disabilities. For 10 years, we have offered arts education programs for people with disabilities, ages 3–93. Through teaching in these programs, graduate students gain valuable hands-on experience.

The Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education offers two first-of-their-kind graduate programs in music education and autism. Visit the program pages below to learn more and to apply.

The Master of Music in Music Education (Autism Concentration) is a 33-credit program for individuals who wish to gain specialized knowledge, skills, and experience in teaching music to students with autism and other disabilities.

The Graduate Certificate in Music Education and Autism program is a 15-credit sequence of courses in music education, disabilities, and autism. This program is designed for individuals who wish to study in this area at the graduate level, but do not wish to earn a master's degree.

Both programs feature:

  • Innovative training
  • Cutting-edge research activities
  • A community of educators and scholars committed to providing quality music education to all students
  • Intense focus on specialized courses with topics in teaching students with disabilities and autism-related studies, including Special Education Foundations and Practices; Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders; Research to Practice in Music Education and Autism; and Autism, Music, and Behavioral Teaching Methods. See the full list of courses.

The programs are designed to accommodate a working teacher’s schedule by offering evening courses in the fall and spring semesters, as well as two full-time summer sessions. Academic year course work can be completed at a distance using web-conferencing and student directed study formats.