Certificate Programs

We know what it takes to be a great musician and can help you achieve it-- get that great gig, operate that successful studio, produce that record, write that song, arrange that hit tune. If you are truly passionate about pursuing music, these multi-course certificate programs will provide you with solid qualifications and marketable skills for success.

If you need advice about how to choose the course of study that's right for you, please contact our highly qualified student advisors. Our advisors can help you pick a program that meets your goals, interests, and schedule. We are available to help you by telephone Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., US Eastern Standard Time at 1-866-BERKLEE (1-866-237-5533).

Master Certificate

Become a better musician, and provide a firm investment into your future personal or professional goals with these premium Master Certificate Programs. These dedicated, 2 to 2 ½ year programs give you part-time access to Berklee, will immerse you in the theories, methods and concepts behind your chosen area of study, and present you with the essential knowledge you'll need to perfect your craft.

Professional Certificate

Gain in-depth knowledge and a thorough background in your area of interest by enrolling in one of these 5-6 course programs. By studying for 12-15 months with the faculty and curriculum of Berklee College of Music, you will develop a deep awareness, expand your expertise in your chosen field and add great credentials to your resume with these Professional Certificate Programs.

Specialist Certificate

Focus your studies with these intensive 3 or 4-course programs. Our Specialist Certificate Programs provide you with the opportunity to concentrate your efforts in a specific area of study over a short 6-month period of time at a relatively inexpensive cost.

Q: How long are the certificate programs? Is there a maximum amount of time I have to complete a certificate program?

A: Specialist Certificate Programs contain 3-4 courses and need to be completed within three or four consecutive terms.

Professional Certificate Programs contain 5-6 courses and need to be completed within five or six consecutive terms.

Masters Certificate Programs contain 8, 9 or 12 courses and need to be completed within 8, 9 or 12 consecutive terms.

Q: I have taken a non-credit or CEU course with Berkleemusic in the past. Can I apply it towards a certificate program?

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

Q: I have taken a for-credit course with Berkleemusic in the past. Can I apply it towards a certificate program?

A: If a student has successfully completed a credit-bearing course 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 posted. The student can waive one course in the Specialist Certificate Program, two courses in the Professional Certificate Program and three courses in the Masters Certificate Program. Non-credit and CEU courses cannot be waived into a certificate program.

The following waiver limitations apply:

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.

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

A: 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.

Enrolling in more than one certificate program

Students can enroll and participate in more than one certificate. If there are courses, which are required in both programs, students will not be required to take the course twice. However, the student will be required to substitute a course in the same area of study and with the same amount of academic credits (weeks). For example, if Pro Tools 101 is in both certificate programs, the student would complete Pro Tools 101 in the first program and also a different production course such as Producing with Pro Tools in the second program. The substitute course will need to be approved by both the Continuing Education Registrar and the Dean of Continuing Education. Required courses in one program cannot be used as electives in the second program. Courses chosen as an elective in one program cannot be used as an elective in the second program.

How to enroll in more than one certificate program

To enroll in more than one certificate program, visit www.berkleemusic.com and click on one of the certificate programs you are interested in pursuing and follow the steps outlined. After you have completed your initial enrollment, send an email to the Continuing Education Registrar at registrar@berkleemusic.com. The email must include the following information:

Student's Name
Additional Certificate Program of choice
Courses wished to be substituted in place of any duplicates

The Continuing Education Registrar will review your choices and respond with either an approval of the courses or suggestions for more appropriate choices. Your home page will show the certificate you originally enrolled in but your schedule will include courses for both programs. Once your courses have been approved, you can then make any required tuition payments. If you have chosen to pay in full, tuition for both programs will be due prior to starting your first course. If you have chosen to pay per term, tuition for the upcoming term will be due prior to the start of that term.