Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies Program

The Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies program is a four-year undergraduate program that allows students to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) or Bachelor of Science (S.B.) at Harvard University while engaging in coursework at Berklee College of Music. This program benefits musically and intellectually talented students who wish to pursue a contemporary music education at Berklee and a rigorous liberal arts education at Harvard. Programs of study at each institution are complementary; Harvard undergraduates may choose the degree path that best matches their interests and aspirations. Harvard’s Department of Music offers courses in music history, theory, and cultural studies, along with courses in composition, improvisation, and performance. Berklee offers extensive performance and composition opportunities while also providing courses in production, screen scoring, songwriting, electronic sound design, music education, music therapy, and music business.

At Harvard, students in the Joint Studies program may pursue the undergraduate concentration of their choice, including options for double concentrations, joint concentrations, or secondaries. Students may elect to participate in courses and programs offered by the Harvard Department of Music, including the option for a concentration or secondary in music. Students at Harvard can also participate in Harvard’s performing ensembles or other creative outlets.

At Berklee, students are able to enroll in most courses for which they meet the prerequisites. Students will work closely with Berklee’s advisors to choose courses that fit their individual interests. Students will generally begin by taking private instruction, participating in an ensemble, and/or taking introductory courses that prepare them for more advanced offerings within Berklee’s curriculum. Students who complete at least 16 credits at Berklee will receive a certificate of completion for the Joint Studies program.

Entrance Requirements

Application and Admissions

Application to the Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies program is a shared process managed separately by the admissions programs at each institution. Prospective students must apply separately to both Harvard and Berklee’s undergraduate programs and must be accepted independently at each institution before they can be considered for the Joint Studies program.

Once accepted at both schools, Berklee is responsible for making the final decision on admittance to the Joint Studies program. Only a small cohort of students are accepted into the Joint Studies program every year.

Harvard University and Berklee College of Music make their final acceptance decisions independently of one another and do not collaborate on their admissions processes. Each school will share its admissions decision separately with applicants.

How to Apply

Applying to Harvard; students should follow the application process as described by the Harvard Admissions Department. The Harvard Department of Music does not participate in the admissions process and does not influence final admission decisions. Please refer to Harvard Admissions for all admissions questions and processes.

Applying to Berklee; students should follow the application and audition process as described by the Berklee Admissions Department.

Applicants must check the Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies check box on each school’s application to be considered for the program.

Due to the unique and competitive nature of the Joint Studies program, admittance is limited to a small cohort of students. This program is not available to students previously admitted to either Harvard or Berklee, or to students currently enrolled in either institution. This program is not available to undergraduate students transferring to either Harvard or Berklee. Students who have applied to the Joint Studies program, but who have been accepted to one school only, may not re-apply to the Joint Studies program for additional consideration. Students who have applied to the Joint Studies program who have been accepted at both schools, but who have not been accepted into the Joint Studies program, may not re-apply to the Joint Studies program for additional consideration.

Application Deadlines and Timeline

Prospective students must apply separately to both Harvard and Berklee to be considered for the Joint Studies program.

Harvard University:

Restrictive early action candidates must apply by November 1 and will receive notification by mid-December.
Regular decision candidates must apply by January 1 and will receive notification by the end of March.

Berklee College of Music:

Early action candidates must apply by November 1.
Regular decision candidates must apply by January 15.
Berklee requires an audition and interview from all candidates.

Consideration for the Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies program requires successful acceptance at both Harvard and Berklee. Once accepted at both schools, Berklee is then responsible for making the final decision on admittance to the Joint Studies program. Final decisions will be made by Berklee in April and communicated to all admitted student

Program Tuition

Because participation in the Joint Studies program requires successful acceptance to both Harvard and Berklee, program costs and tuition are managed independently at each institution. Please contact each schools' admissions and financial aid offices with any questions.

At Harvard, students are responsible for all tuition and fees for Harvard’s four-year undergraduate programs. Harvard tuition may be reduced on a per-course basis for each course taken at Berklee that is transferred for Harvard degree credit. Harvard students should consult the Harvard College Student Handbook for more information. To learn more about the cost of attending Harvard as an undergraduate, including details regarding financial aid, please visit Harvard College Financial Aid.

At Berklee, the cost of courses is determined by the number of credits taken at the per-credit rate ($1,840 per credit for the 2024-2025 academic year). There is also a maximum cap set at 3.5 times the per-credit rate ($6,440 for the 2024-2025 year). Berklee will reduce the cost for all students receiving financial aid by the same percentage applied by Harvard. Example: A student taking four credits on no financial aid would pay $6,440 for the semester. A student taking three credits on 50% aid would pay $2,760 ($1,840 x 3 x .50)

Orientation and Housing

Students in the Joint Studies program participate as full undergraduate students at Harvard College, including residence on the Harvard campus. Student orientation, housing, advising, and first-year onboarding will take place as per all incoming first-year Harvard students. More information is available through Harvard’s First-Year Experience.

Berklee will organize a separate orientation for Joint Studies students that will take place after Harvard move-in. Joint Studies students will be required to audition with the Berklee faculty of their respective instrument and the ensemble department, which will help the faculty and advisors place each student with an appropriate private instructor and in an appropriate ensemble. Joint Studies students are required to take Berklee’s Entering Student Placement Exam (ESPA), which will test prior knowledge of and ability in ear training, harmony, arranging, and music technology. As with the audition, the ESPA helps advisors place students in the most appropriate courses. A study guide and recommended reading list are available for those who wish to prepare. More information will be available for admitted students in the summer before matriculation.

Curriculum and Courses

The curriculum for the Joint Studies program is chosen by students independently at both Harvard and Berklee, and therefore highly customizable. Students in the Joint Studies program must manage their schedules carefully, with guidance from advisors at both institutions. Depending on the specific programs of study chosen by the student at each school, course schedules and class times may conflict. Successful navigation will be achieved through flexibility and coordination with program advisors.

At Harvard, students taking part in the Joint Studies program may pursue the undergraduate concentration of their choice. Students will work closely with Harvard advisors as they declare concentrations and strategize on courses and schedules. Students wishing to pursue interests in the Harvard Department of Music may do so, including a concentration or secondary in music.

At Berklee, students take one to six Berklee credits per semester. The total number will be determined in close consultation with their Berklee advisor and will depend on their total course load at Harvard and whether they elect to transfer any Berklee credit to Harvard (see below). Students can take most Berklee courses for which they meet the prerequisites, with offerings in performance, composition, songwriting, screen scoring, music production, electronic design, and music business. There are no specific requirements for students to complete at Berklee. Students are free to create their own path in consultation with their advisor.

Students participating in the Joint Studies program may transfer 16 Berklee credits (four courses) to Harvard, with a maximum of 8 credits towards a concentration in Music. To submit courses for approval, students must complete Harvard’s Proposal Form for Dual Programs of Study out of Residence. This petition must be signed by the student’s Berklee advisor, the Harvard Department of Music Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS,) and the student’s Harvard Resident Dean. Students must provide a course description and syllabus for each proposed course. Courses for transfer credit will be approved at the discretion of the Harvard Department of Music DUS.