MP&E Major Application FAQ

Applications to the MP&E major are accepted twice annually during the first five weeks of the fall and spring semesters. If you are a Berklee student, you can apply to the MP&E major in the fall for a spring semester start and in the spring for a summer or fall semester start.

You must be accepted to and enrolled at Berklee before being considered for admission to the MP&E major. Prior to applying, potential applicants must have one semester of Berklee Boston grades or a minimum of 12 transfer credits. 

Students enrolled in Berklee Global Partner schools may apply to the MP&E major remotely from their home institution during their final semester of study prior to matriculating at the Boston campus. Berklee Global Partner applicants are required to submit an official academic transcript from their home institution along with their application and required personal video.

If you are transferring 12 or more credits to Berklee from another (non-Berklee Global Partner) institution, you may apply during your first semester at Berklee. Final decisions on all first-semester transfer students applying to the MP&E major will not occur until final grades from your first Berklee semester have been posted. 

Please contact Barbara Thomas, MP&E program associate, at brthomas@berklee.edu for additional advising.

Criteria for admission include demonstrated musicianship, academic accomplishment, maturity and acuity, written and oral communication skills, and a demonstrated willingness to collaborate. 

If you are a currently enrolled Berklee student, you can apply to the MP&E major here.

Applications are accepted beginning on the first day of classes and are open until the fifth week of classes (Friday at 5:00 p.m. EST) during the fall and spring semesters.

The application process includes:

Submission of a written online application consisting of a series of short-answer essays; and a five-minute-maximum video responding to selected prompts.

As part of the application process, applicants must submit a five-minute-maximum personal video responding to the following prompts:

1. Of all of the majors offered at Berklee with "production" in the title (MP&E, IRP, CWP and EPD), why is MP&E the right major for you?

2. What are you most hoping to gain from MP&E that will best serve your future goals?

3. Briefly describe a particular recording that you are passionate about and why you think it is effective.

Responses should be authentic and in your own words, not read from a script. We are not looking for a professionally produced video, just a candid representation of you and your enthusiasm for the major and the craft of music production and engineering. Please do not exceed the five-minute-maximum video length.

A student portfolio of original work is not required. However, you do have the opportunity within the application to upload supplemental audio recordings or videos for additional consideration. Please detail your specific role and participation in any project submitted. You may also submit an optional letter of recommendation. 

Notification of MP&E selection decisions will be sent through Berklee student email on the first Monday of the registration period. Final MP&E selection decisions on all first-semester transfer students are held until final grades from their first semester have been posted.

Sixty spots are awarded each fall and spring semester, and 24 students are accepted for the summer semester. The rate of acceptance is dependent on the number of applicants each season, and typically runs between 30 and 45 percent. 

Hands-on recording studio experience is a central component of the MP&E curriculum. In order to deliver the highest standards of education, it is essential that reasonable ratios of enrollment to facilities and faculty be maintained.

Yes. If you intend to pursue the MP&E major, you are encouraged to consult the academic major grids and enroll in LMSC-209 (preferred) or LMSC-208 to satisfy your acoustics requirement. Please note that both acoustics courses require a math prerequisite; this is satisfied by completing a math course, transfer credit, or by passing the math proficiency exam (login required), which is offered each semester.

If you are interested in the MP&E program, you may also consider enrolling in MP-110 Introduction to Music Production and Engineering for a broad overview of the field and the recording industry. Students may also  consider taking MP-113 Accelerated Pro Tools to gain facility in this digital audio workstation, which is the dominant DAW used in MP&E. Also, students can take MP-114 Critical Listening Lab for Musicians and MP-115 Production Analysis Lab for Musicians. Both are online courses. Students who take MP-114 and MP-115, receive a passing grade, and apply to the major will receive credit in lieu of taking MP-214 and MP-215, which are requirements for all incoming students to the major.

Please note that this includes only courses registered through Berklee directly. Online courses taken through Berklee Online will not be credited toward this major. Contact the MP&E office if you have further questions about this.

After notification of acceptance and completion of your Declaration of Major paperwork in the MP&E office, you must add the following first-semester MP&E courses to your schedule: MP-211, MP-214, MP-215, MP-225, as well as LMSC-209 (preferred) or LMSC-208 if you have not already taken acoustics. Note that double majors should consult their double major grid in order to verify their particular course sequence.

Note: Students who have previously taken MP-114 and/or MP-115 and received a grade of B- or better will receive major credit in lieu of taking MP-214 and/or MP-215 respectively. EPD/MPE dual majors may elect to take EP-225 rather than MP-225, and substitute an additional upper-semester two-credit MP&E elective instead. 

Yes. In addition to owning the Berklee laptop package, students enrolling in the MP&E major must purchase the items detailed on the Technology for Music Production and Engineering Students page. Note that all required hardware and software must be purchased and installed prior to the first day of class.

Yes. Students can reapply without penalty or prejudice. Reapplicants are free to contact Barbara Thomas, MP&E program associate, at brthomas@berklee.edu to schedule an advising appointment. 

Yes. If you have been accepted and are not able to begin the major in the semester for which you were accepted, you must contact Barbara Thomas, MP&E program associate, at brthomas@berklee.edu immediately. Otherwise, your spot in the major will not be guaranteed. 

No.