Your First Year at Berklee

As a Bachelor of Music student, you’ll complete courses that develop your musical proficiency in the following areas:

• Arranging
• Conducting
• Ear Training
• Harmony
• Tonal Harmony and Counterpoint
• Music Technology
• Performance

Before we can build your first-semester schedule, you will complete an entering student proficiency assessment (ESPA) and placement audition to be placed in the appropriate core classes for your current level, including your ensemble.

The placement audition is different from the audition you completed for your admission to Berklee—rather than assessing you for entry into the college, we are solely listening to fit you into ensembles or courses that will be the most engaging. If you are more advanced in certain areas, you may be placed into higher-level courses, or earn credit for those you test out of. These placement auditions are designed to assess every entering student's knowledge base in each of these core curriculum fields, and are graded (not pass/fail). To learn more, visit berklee.edu/core-music-curriculum.

Designed to create the thought leaders and innovators of tomorrow, the Bachelor of Arts in music industry leadership and innovation courses explore business and innovation strategies for the global music market. There are 120 credits total required for this degree, which includes:

• Music Industry Leadership and Innovation Core (19 credits)
• Music Industry Core (21 credits)
• Practicum (3 credits)
• Specialization (9 credits; choose from the following):
  • Marketing and Product Development
  • Licensing and Administration
  • Emerging Technologies
• Liberal Arts (42 credits)
• General Electives (26 credits; does not include any performance classes or music core)

Berklee liberal arts courses diversify your professional abilities by developing your communication, critical thinking, entrepreneurial, and problem-solving skills. Many standard topics are reimagined through the lens of music, like learning math through the study of acoustics, or exploring history by studying the influence of music in different eras.

Alongside your new peers, you’ll participate in a first-semester Liberal Arts Engaging Seminar (known as a LENS course) that helps you navigate your Berklee education, build a foundation as a student, artist, or entrepreneur, and foster your creative community. Learn more about our liberal arts and sciences curriculum at berklee.edu/liberal-arts.

This course aims to build your foundational writing skills and teach you how to effectively communicate your point of view by understanding techniques such as organization, form, and style.

All Bachelor of Music students begin undeclared, so your first year is a great time to explore all facets of the music industry. With 15 different majors, it can be hard to choose just one (or two), so we host a Berklee Majors and Minors Fair to help you better understand your options. 

Explore the possibilities at berklee.edu/majors.

Bachelor of Arts applicants get accepted into the music industry leadership and innovation degree program, which does not require a declaration of major. In the Bachelor of Arts in music industry leadership and Innovation, students take courses covering major sectors of the music industry—artist management, music publishing, record label operations, live music, legal, and marketing—as well as innovation mindsets and methodologies. 

Choose from the following specializations and hone your expertise: 

• Marketing and Product Development
• Licensing and Administration
• Emerging Technologies

To learn more, visit the Bachelor of Arts program page.

Berklee student jobs mirror what you’ll find in the industry, offering roles in performance, education, administration, production, and technology. Learn more about student employment.

This annual event connects students with prominent artists and industry leaders, grows their professional network, and broadens the scope of their career possibilities. In the past, Pharrell Williams has dropped in to offer advice; Donald Glover joined us for a keynote interview; execs from Snapchat and Red Bull have hosted networking events; and music publishing pros from Disney Music have screened songs.

Learn more about Career Jam.

You can apply for internships in studios, concert halls, Fortune 500 companies, and more throughout the world. Attend an internship seminar in your first year to get a head start on planning. Learn more about internships. 

The talent relations ambassador program, launched as part of the Hire Berklee Talent campaign, is composed of student A&R scouts who identify, develop, and track talent within the Berklee community for specific performance, recording, writing, and producing opportunities. Learn more about the Talent Relations Ambassador Program.

Starting your first semester, you can meet others who share your interests and make lifelong connections by joining student-run clubs and businesses. Discover life on campus.

We are committed to ensuring that all students have the resources they need to thrive, and the Berklee Bridge—a personalized network of advisors and services—was created to do just that. The Bridge will support your academic success, artistic vision, personal well-being, and career goals by connecting you with the right specialists to help you navigate every aspect of your Berklee journey.

Your student success advisor will provide personalized, proactive, and holistic support, connecting you to the resources you need to succeed. Learn more.