Songwriting Bachelor's Degree 2016F

Valid for catalog year fall 2016–summer 2017 only. For students who entered Berklee prior to fall 2016, search major grids for past catalog years.

Study Abroad: All students are encouraged to consider a semester abroad on the Valencia, Spain, campus. It is recommended that songwriting majors study in Valencia during their third, fourth, fifth, or sixth semester. For specific program information, please see the chair of your major or contact the study abroad office at studyabroad@berklee.edu. 

  •  
    Core
  •  
    Major
  •  
    Liberal Arts
  •  
    Electives

Semester 1

Course # Title Credits
PIXX-111 Private Instruction 1 2
ENXX-xxx Ensemble 1
PW-111 Music Application and Theory 4
ET-111 Ear Training 1 2
MTEC-111 Introduction to Music Technology 2
LHUM-100 Artistry, Creativity, Inquiry 2
LENG-111 Writing and Communication 3
Total Credits 16

Semester 2

Course # Title Credits
PIXX-112 Private Instruction 2 2
ENXX-xxx Ensemble 1
AR-111 Arranging 1 2
ET-112 Ear Training 2 2
HR-112 Harmony 2 2
LENG-201 Literature 3
LHIS-xxx History 3
ISKB-211 Basic Keyboard 1 1
Total Credits 16

Semester 3 (suggested semester to study abroad)

Course # Title Credits
PIXX-211 Private Instruction 3 1
ENXX-xxx Ensemble 1
ILXX-xxx Instrumental Lab 1
ET-211/231 Ear Training 3 OR Solfege 1 2
HR-211 Harmony 3 2
CM-211 Tonal Harmony and Composition 1 2
ISKB-212 or SW-P236/238 Basic Keyboard 2 or Guitar Techniques for Songwriters or Keyboard Techniques for Songwriters 1
SW-211 Songwriting 1 2
SW-221 Lyric Writing 1 2
SW-XXX One of SW-161/P181/P191/261/281/291/P360/362 2
Total Credits 16

Semester 4 (suggested semester to study abroad)

Course # Title Credits
PIXX-212 Private Instruction 4 1
ENXX-xxx Ensemble 1
ILXX-xxx Instrumental Lab 1
ET-212/232 Ear Training 4 OR Solfege 2 2
HR-212 Harmony 4 2
CP-210 The Art of Counterpoint 3
SW-212 Songwriting 2 2
SW-222 Lyric Writing 2 2
SW-XXX One of SW-161/P181/P191/261/281/291/P360/362 2
Total Credits 16

Semester 5 (suggested semester to study abroad)

Course # Title Credits
CM-212 Tonal Harmony and Composition 2 2
COND-211/216 Conducting 1 OR Conducting 1 with Live Keyboard Ensemble 1
LMSC-xxx Mathematics/Natural Sciences 3
MHIS-(P)20X Western European Classical Music 2
SW-231 Arranging for Songwriters 2
SW-398 Directed Study in Songwriting 2
XX-xxx General Electives 3
Total Credits 15

Semester 6 (suggested semester to study abroad)

Course # Title Credits
COND-212/217 Conducting 2 OR Conducting 2 with Live Keyboard Ensemble 1
LHUM-400 Professional Development Seminar 2
LSOC-xxx Social Sciences 3
MHIS-22X/241 African American Music History and Culture - MHIS 22X/241 2
LAHS-xxx Art History 3
SW-241 Survey of Popular Song Styles 2
SW-xxx Approved Specified Elective 2
Total Credits 15

Semester 7

Course # Title Credits
MHIS-xxx Music History Elective - Any MHIS-300+ course 2
LXXX-xxx Music and Society (from approved list) 3
LXXX-xxx Liberal Arts Elective 3
SW-311/321/371 Advanced Songwriting or Advanced Lyric Writing or Singer/Songwriter Workshop 2
SW-xxx Approved Specified Elective 2
XX-xxx General Electives 2
Total Credits 14

Semester 8

Course # Title Credits
LXXX-xxx Liberal Arts Elective 3
SW-335 The Business of Songwriting 2
SW-P497 Senior Seminar in Songwriting 2
XX-xxx General Electives 5
Total Credits 12

Study abroad at our Valencia, Spain, campus. It is recommended that songwriting majors study in Valencia during their third, fourth, fifth, or sixth semester. For specific program information, please see the chair of your major or contact the study abroad office.