Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enroll in a course or certificate program?

Enrolling in a course or certificate program is easy and can be done completely online. Please check the How to Enroll section of this website for more information. You can also contact a Student Advisor at 1-866-BERKLEE (237-5533) or 1-617-747-2146 if outside the US for help with enrolling.

How do I take a course online?

Each week, your instructor will post a new lesson. You can log on and work on the material anytime throughout that week. It should take approximately five to eight hours per week to complete the lessons and assignments, more or less time may be required based on a student's level of experience.

Is online learning for me?

Click here to learn more about attending our classes online.

Who are the instructors?

Our instructors are Berklee College of Music faculty and widely-recognized experts in their field.

How long are the courses?

Berkleemusic courses are 12-weeks long.

How long are the certificate programs? How long will it take to complete a certificate program?

Specialist Certificate Programs contain 3 courses and can be completed in less than one year.

Professional Certificate Programs contain 4, 5 or 6 courses and can be completed in as little as 12 to 18 months.

Masters Certificate Programs contain 8, 9 or 12 courses and can be completed within 2 to 3 years.

How many courses can I take at a time?

You may take as many courses as you would like. We urge students to consider how much time they have to dedicate to the required work before enrolling in multiple courses in a single term. If you are interested in taking more than two courses in a term, we recommend you contact you student advisor to discuss your schedule.

Can I repeat a course I have already taken?

Students may enroll in and receive a grade for a course taken for a second or subsequent time. Only the highest grade will be computed in the cumulative GPA. The repetition of a course will not eliminate the previous grade from the student's record, nor will any additional credit toward a certificate be earned by repeating a course. Additional tuition and fees will apply.

I have taken a non-credit or CEU course with Berkleemusic in the past, can I apply it towards a certificate program?

No. All courses in the certificate program must be taken for credit. Students who have completed one or more of the courses in a certificate program as non-credit should contact the Continuing Education Registrar at registrar@berkleemusic.com to discuss options for completing the program.

I have taken a credit-bearing Berkleemusic course, can I use it toward a certificate program?

If a student has successfully completed only credit-bearing courses with Berkleemusic, the student can apply for a waiver of the course requirement in the certificate program. If a waiver is approved, the student will not be required to retake the course. The cost of the waived course will be deducted from the total price of the certificate program. A request to waive a requirement must be done prior to enrolling in the first course in the certificate program. Courses in progress cannot be waived into a program until a passing grade has been issued. Non-credit and CEU courses cannot be waived into a certificate program.

Please note: 2 credit courses cannot be waived in as an elective in a certificate program. If you have questions regarding waiving in a 2 credit course, please contact the Continuing Education Registrar at registrar@berkleemusic.com.

The following waiver limitations apply:

Specialist Certificate Program- Two courses may be waived

Professional Certificate Program- Three courses may be waived

Master Certificate Program- Four courses may be waived

To apply for a waiver, send a request in writing to the Continuing Education Registrar and include your name, the certificate program you are enrolling in, the course you would like to have waived and the term you originally took the course. Requests for a waiver can be emailed to registrar@berkleemusic.com

I have completed a Berkleemusic.com certificate program, can I use it toward a certificate program of higher value?

If a student has successfully completed a certificate program and wishes to apply the courses within to a higher-level program they can do so. Berkleemusic will waive the completed courses, which are in the new program towards the certificate. In this case the student will retain the original certificate and be awarded the second certificate once he/she completes the program. Please note 2-credit courses cannot be waived into a program as an elective. If you have questions regarding waiving in a 2 credit course, please contact the Continuing Education Registrar at registrar@berkleemusic.com.

I have completed both a certificate program and individual courses. Can these be waived into a new certificate program?

If a student has successfully completed a certificate program in addition to individual courses or have completed multiple certificate programs, they can waive in both the individual courses as well as the courses from the original program (s) into a higher level program with the following waiver limitations:

Professional Certificate Program- Four courses in total may be waived

Master Certificate Program- Six courses in total may be waived

I am taking a credit-bearing course now that is in my program. Can I waive this into the certificate program?

Courses in progress cannot be waived into a program until a passing grade has been earned. Once a passing grade is posted, students should contact the Continuing Education Registrar at registrar@berkleemusic.com to request this course be waived into their program. The student can waive one course in the Specialist Certificate Program, two courses in the Professional Certificate Program and three courses in the Master Certificate Program.

If I am currently enrolled in a certificate program. Can I transfer to a different certificate program?

If a student finds that the certificate program they are enrolled in is not the right one for them, the student can transfer to a different certificate program. To do so, send an email to registrar@berkleemusic.com for approval. Students may transfer any successfully completed courses that are required in the new certificate program. The tuition difference, if applicable, must be paid prior to taking the first course in the new certificate program. This applies to students who have selected to pay the full amount of their program up front in order to receive a 10% tuition reduction.

What if I want to withdraw from a course or certificate program? Will I be refunded my tuition? Can I transfer my enrollment to another term?

For information about transfers, withdrawals and refunds see Academic policies.

What happens if my course is cancelled?

While we make every effort to run all of our courses, sometimes it is necessary to cancel a course. If this happens, you will be sent an email letting you know your course has been cancelled. You will be given the option to transfer into a different course for the current term or transfer to the same course in an upcoming term. Additional tuition may be due if a different course is chosen.

Can I transfer Non-Berkleemusic credits into a certificate program?

Credits taken at another institution cannot be transferred into any of the certificate programs currently offered at Berkleemusic.

I have taken Pro Tools 101 and/or Pro Tools 110 at a Digidesign-approved training facility. Can I waive this into my certificate program?

Yes, students who have successfully completed Pro Tools 101 and/or Pro Tools 110 at an approved Digidesign training center can request to have the course waived. To do so, students must send a copy of their completion certificate along with a written request to have the course waived.

Requests to waive Pro Tools 101 and/or Pro Tools 110 can be faxed to 617-747-2149 or mailed to:

Berklee Media
1140 Boylston Street
MS-855
Boston, MA 02215
Attn: Continuing Education Registrar

Can I transfer Berkleemusic online extension school credits towards an undergraduate degree at Berklee College of Music?

Many Berkleemusic courses are transferable int Berklee College of Music for credit. Please visit the Transfer Credit section of our site for more information.

Do you offer Financial Aid?

Yes. We are currently offering financial aid in the form of personal education loans through various institutions. Please see the Financial Aid page for more information.

Can I apply for Federal Financial Aid?

At this time we are unable to accept federal financial aid (FAFSA) for our online programs. We do, however, have several loan programs we can recommend to assist you in paying for our courses or programs. For more information on our loan programs, please visit our Financial Aid page.

Can I use tuition assistance to pay for a Berkleemusic course?

Tuition assistance is for individuals working for an employer that provides this as a benefit as well as for students in all branches of the armed forces. Please check with your employer or your commanding officer concerning your eligibility for this type of financial assistance.

How do I use tuition assistance to pay for a Berkleemusic course?

For an individual course, enroll by clicking the Enroll Now button on the course description page. On the payment page, select tuition assistance as your method of payment. Your enrollment will be placed in a pending state. You will receive an order confirmation via email.

For certificate programs, if your tuition assistance covers both tuition and fees, send the paperwork along with your selected program and the first course you wish to take to the Continuing Education Registrar. If you are enrolling in a certificate program and your tuition assistance does not cover the registration and technology fee, enroll in the program you are interested in by clicking the Getting Started button on the certificate description page. In this case, you will need to pay this fee to complete the enrollment process. Once you have completed the transaction, you will receive an order confirmation via email.

Tuition assistance forms can be faxed to 617-747-2149 or mailed to:

Berklee Media
1140 Boylston Street
MS-855
Boston, MA 02215
Attn: Continuing Education Registrar

These forms must be received by the end of the enrollment period of the upcoming term. If approved, the amount the employer or military is paying will be applied to the tuition and fees due. The student must pay the balance prior to the start of the course. Once paid, the student will receive an email stating enrollment has been approved and the student is officially enrolled in the course.

Questions should be sent to the Continuing Education Registrar at registrar@berkleemusic.com. We are also available to help you by telephone at 1-866-BERKLEE or 1-617-747-2146 if outside the US, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., US Eastern Standard Time.

Can international students take Berkleemusic courses?

Yes! We have international students from over 80 countries taking our online courses.

How many students are in a section?

The maximum class size is 20 students per section.

Where do I go to find the course I enrolled in?

Simply login to Berkleemusic and go to your "My Home" page. Links to the courses you are enrolled in will be located at the top left of your screen under the "My Courses" heading. We also recommend that you visit the orientation page for more information on getting started learning online with Berkleemusic.

Will I be able to access my course after it has finished?

You will be able to access courses you are enrolled in for one year after they end, Please note that once a course officially ends, you will have an additional 30 days, or one month, to post inside the course. Keep in mind that your instructor will not review your posts or respond to messages in the course during this 30-day period unless you have made arrangements for an extension. After that 30-day period, you will continue to have "view only" access to the course for an additional 11 months. During this time, you will not be able to interact with the instructor or post any messages/discussions, but you can continue to go through the course material. After this one-year period we are unable to allow students further access to the course. If you have any questions, please contact customer service via email at service@berkleemusic.com.

Do I need to know how to read music to take a course?

It depends on the course. Prerequisites are indicated in the course description and requirements page.

If you are still unsure, you can contact our Student Advisors at advisors@berkleemusic.com or at 1-866-BERKLEE or 1-617-747-2146 if outside the US, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., US Eastern Standard Time.

Do I need a high-school diploma or equivalent to enroll in a certificate program or take a course for credit?

No. Actually, some of our best students are in high school, including some schools that are part of our Partnership Learning Program. Please contact us at advisors@berkleemusic.com. We'd be happy to help you find a course that is right for you.

Who do I contact if I am having technical trouble with the course?

You may reach Customer Service by email at service@berkleemusic.com, and via telephone at 1-866-BERKLEE or 1-617-747-2146 if outside the US, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. US Eastern Standard Time. We will assist you with any problems you have and will do our best to provide a response to your question or inquiry within one business day.

Do I get a certificate of completion when I finish each course?

When you complete an individual course, you will be sent a letter of completion. When you complete a course for credit, you will also be issued a grade. This grade will appear on your permanent Berkleemusic transcript. Transcripts are available upon request here. Certificates will be issued to students who have successfully completed all of their certificate program's requirements and are in good financial standing with Berkleemusic.

When will I receive my certificate once I have completed a program?

Certificates for students who have successfully completed all of the requirements for a program will be mailed out 4-6 weeks after the term ends. If it has been longer than 6 weeks, you can contact registrar@berkleemusic.com to inquire about the status of your certificate.

What name will be listed on the certificate and where will it be sent?

The name on your certificate will be the same as the name on your account. It is important that you use your proper name when enrolling so your academic records reflect the correct information. Your certificate will be mailed out via USPS to the address we have on file. If you have recently changed your address, please make sure to update this in your student profile as soon as possible to ensure your certificate is mailed to the appropriate address.

How long after the course ends will I receive my grade in the course?

Instructors are to post grades two weeks after the term has ended.

Where can I view my final grade in my course?

You can view your grade by clicking on the "My Academic Record" link from your "My Home" page. Please note that your grade will only be viewable if you have completed the confidential evaluation at the end of the course.

Are textbooks included in tuition costs?

No, the required textbooks for online courses are not included in tuition and fees. You may order them from our online store at www.berkleemusic.com/store.

Do I need to pay the registration and technology fee for every course I take?

Unless you are in a certificate program, there is a $49.95 registration and technology fee for each Berkleemusic course. Certificate programs have a one-time registration and technology fee of $150 due at the time of enrollment into the certificate program.

Do you offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs)?

Yes, Berklee College of Music grants CEUs for Berkleemusic online music courses. Please check the course enrollment page for the number of CEUs offered for each course. Upon successful completion of the course, your CEUs will be registered with the American Council on Education (ACE). Once ACE receives notification of your Berkleemusic course CEUs, they will send a confirmation letter to the address on file. The confirmation letter from ACE will also include information on how to receive an official ACE transcript. You will be charged a fee of $25 per course. To learn more information on CEUs please click here.

What is the difference between college credit and CEUs?

Courses taken for college credit can be transferred to other colleges or universities. Courses taken for CEUs cannot be transferred to other colleges or universities. CEUs are used to fulfill professional development and educational licensing requirements.

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