Overview
The Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies program is a 4-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.
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.
Harvard’s admission decisions are made solely by Harvard’s central admissions office. The Harvard Department of Music does not participate in the admissions process and does not influence final admission decisions.
Harvard does not require an audition, including for students interested in pursuing music at Harvard. Students wishing to supplement their Harvard application with appropriate artistic experience should do so using the formats offered through the admissions process.
Please refer to Harvard Admissions for more information.
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 students.
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 4-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 ($1,780 per credit for the 2023-2024 academic year). There is also a maximum cap set at 3.5 times the per-credit rate ($6,230 for the 2023-2024 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 $6,230 for the semester. A student taking three credits on 50% aid would pay $2,670 ($1,780 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 provides 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, Programs of Study, and Advising
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, Joint Studies 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.
Traveling Between Campuses
Transportation between campuses is not provided as part of the Joint Studies program. While the Harvard and Berklee campuses are relatively close to each other, students should allow for transit time between Cambridge and Boston when planning courses and schedules. The Harvard and Berklee campuses are approximately 2.5 miles apart, on opposite sides of the Charles River. Travel time between campuses is approximately 50 minutes walking, 20 minutes by car or bicycle, or 30 minutes by bus. The most convenient transportation options are the free Harvard M2 shuttle and the MBTA Bus #1. Students should review the MBTA transit schedule for additional travel information.
While Joint Studies students are not eligible for reduced MBTA fares, Harvard student ID cards can be used to access MBTA services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I am accepted at one school, but not the other?
If a prospective student is accepted to one school only, they are ineligible for the Joint Studies program.
If a student is accepted to Harvard, but not Berklee, they may attend Harvard as an undergraduate and pursue the undergraduate program of their choice. Students are encouraged to consider programs of study in the Harvard Department of Music. Undergraduates at Harvard have access to all Department of Music courses and programs, including a concentration or secondary in Music, and including all performing ensembles and creative outlets.
If a student is accepted to Berklee, but not Harvard, they may enroll as a full-time Berklee undergraduate, pursuing one of Berklee’s Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Arts programs.
What happens if I am accepted at both Harvard and Berklee, but not admitted to the Joint Studies program?
Only a small cohort of students are accepted into the Joint Studies program every year. It is possible for a prospective student to be admitted at both Harvard and Berklee, but not be admitted to the Joint Studies program. If this occurs. the student can then choose to attend as an undergraduate at either Harvard or Berklee. Once a student has committed to attending one institution, programs of study will not be available at the other.
Can I re-apply to the Joint Studies program if I have only been accepted to one school?
Only a small cohort of students are accepted into the Joint Studies program every year. Students who have applied to the Joint Studies program but have only been accepted to one school may not re-apply for additional consideration.
Can I re-apply to the Joint Studies program if I have been accepted at both schools, but not admitted to the Joint Studies program?
Only a small cohort of students are accepted into the Joint Studies program every year. Students who have been accepted at both schools but not admitted to the Joint Studies program may not re-apply for additional consideration.
I am a student currently enrolled (at either Harvard or Berklee) and I have only just learned about the Joint Studies program. Can I still apply?
Only a small cohort of students are accepted into the Joint Studies program every year. For that reason, this program is not available to students who are currently enrolled at either institution.
I am considering transferring (to either Harvard or Berklee) from my current undergraduate institution. Can I apply to the Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies program as a transfer student?
Only a small cohort of students are accepted into the Joint Studies program every year. For that reason, this program is not available to students wishing to transfer into Harvard or Berklee.
Am I required to audition at both Harvard and Berklee for the Joint Studies program?
Prospective students are required to complete an audition at Berklee only. The Berklee admissions department will contact applicants as part of the admissions process to schedule an audition and interview. Please see Berklee Audition and Interview Guidelines for more information. For early action the audition must be completed by mid-January, and for regular action it must be completed by mid-March. Remote and in-person options are available.
Harvard does not require an audition as part of the undergraduate admissions process, including for students interested in pursuing music at Harvard. Harvard’s Department of Music offers courses and programs of study to all Harvard undergraduates, including for those interested in pursuing a concentration or secondary in Music. Please refer to Harvard Admissions for all admissions-related questions and processes. The Harvard Department of Music does not participate in the admissions process and does not influence final admissions decisions.
I have been accepted at one school, but I have not yet received final admission results from the second school. What should I do?
Due to the separate admissions timelines for each school, including the audition timeline for Berklee, it is not unusual for a student to receive their admissions results at different times. Students should consult the timelines described as part of the admissions process, and reach out to the appropriate admissions department for updates.
Applicants must be successfully accepted 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. Each school will share its admissions decision separately with applicants.
I have been accepted at one school but wait-listed at the second school. What should I do?
Due to the separate admissions process for each school, including the audition timeline for Berklee, it is possible for a student to be accepted at one school and wait-listed at the other. Students should consult the timelines described as part of the admissions process, and reach out to the appropriate admissions department for udpates.
Applicants must be successfully accepted at each institution separately 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. Each school will share its admissions decision separately with applicants.
I have been accepted by both Harvard and Berklee, but I still do not know if I have been admitted to the Joint Studies program. When can I expect a final decision?
After a student has been accepted at both schools, Berklee is responsible for making the final decision on admittance to the Joint Studies program. Berklee admissions will announce decisions in April, after all pending auditions have been completed. If you have a question about your Berklee admissions status, please contact Berklee Admissions.
I am interested in studying at Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Is Boston Conservatory part of the Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies program?
The Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies program is specific to coursework at Berklee College of Music. Programs of study at Boston Conservatory at Berklee are not included in the Joint Studies program. Students are able to take advantage of some Boston Conservatory courses that are eligible to Berklee College students for cross-registration (most elective courses, but not core Conservatory courses.)
If I am admitted to the Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies program, do I have to concentrate in Music at Harvard?
Students admitted to the Joint Studies program are not required to concentrate in music at Harvard and may pursue the undergraduate concentration of their choice. Joint Studies students participate in various undergraduate concentrations at Harvard, including double- and joint-concentrations, creating a customized program of study that best supports their interests. For students wishing to pursue music at Harvard in addition to Joint Studies at Berklee, the Harvard University Department of Music offers a variety of complementary programming and can readily support students interested in pursuing music as a concentration or secondary.
I have been admitted to the Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies program. What will my daily schedule of courses look like?
Because courses of study at both Harvard and Berklee are highly customizable, there is no single answer to this question. 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 schedule coordination with program advisors at both schools.
At Harvard, students’ daily schedules will be heavily influenced by the undergraduate concentration(s) they choose. Some programs of study, including double- or joint-concentrations, will demand extra focus from undergraduates, requiring careful coordination of schedules. Additionally, many students in the Joint Studies program elect to participate in courses and performing ensembles with the Harvard Department of Music. Students should consider all program requirements when establishing their schedules at both schools.
At Berklee, students’ schedules will be highly dependent on what courses they elect to take at both institutions, and how many credits they may choose to transfer. Over eight semesters at Berklee, students may take as many as 40 credits or as few as 8. There are no specific requirements to complete at Berklee, so a student’s schedule will be determined by their own selections.
Students participating in the Joint Studies program are advised to be mindful of their schedules and are cautioned not to overextend themselves. Please note that travel time and commuting logistics between campuses impacts student schedules. Students should consult with advisors to ensure that they are creating an effective balance of coursework and extracurricular interests at both schools.
I have been admitted to the Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies program, but I am also interested in pursuing music at Harvard. What are my options?
Programs of study in the Harvard Department of Music are available to all Harvard undergraduates. We offer options for both concentrations and secondaries in Music, and an array of courses are available in music theory, composition, history, and cultural studies of music in various settings. Performance opportunities at Harvard include orchestra, chamber music, jazz and contemporary media, choral programs, and a vibrant culture of student-led organizations and ensembles. Please contact Department of Music administrators for more information.
Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies Program Administrators
Program administrators at both Harvard and Berklee are available to provide more information on the Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies Program.
Harvard University Department of Music
Peter Charig
Undergraduate Program Coordinator
pcharig@fas.harvard.edu
Berklee College of Music
Jeff Williams
Assistant Director for Program Evaluation and Equity
jwilliams32@berklee.edu