How to Apply to a Music Education Graduate Program

Important Dates

Early Action Deadlines 

  • Deadline to submit the online application form and supporting documents: November 1
  • Record your online interview by: November 7
  • Live online audition and interview dates: December 6 and 7
  • Admissions decisions issued by: January 15
  • Deadline to submit tuition deposit: May 1
  • Classes start: last Monday in June

Regular Admission Deadlines

  • Deadline to submit the online application form and supporting documents: February 15
  • Record your online interview by: February 20
  • Live online audition and interview dates: March 28 and 29
  • Admissions decisions issued by: April 7
  • Deadline to submit tuition deposit: May 1
  • Classes start: last Monday in June
 

Submit Your Application Form 

Create your account on the application portal and select the summer (June) start term. You will be asked to upload a personal statement, résumé/CV, and two letters of recommendation. Then pay the nonrefundable fee to submit your completed application.

If paying the application fee presents a hardship for you, or if you are a current Berklee student or alumnus, please reach out to ad@berklee.edu to request a fee waiver.

 

Record Your Pre-Screen Interview

Once you submit your application form, you will receive an email with instructions to complete a self-recorded interview on the Kira Talent platform. In this video, you’ll answer questions about your musical background and future goals in music education to help the admissions team assess your fit for the program. Once your self-recorded interview is reviewed by the Board of Admissions, selected applicants will be invited to complete a live online audition and interview.

 

Send Us Your Transcript

All graduate applicants are required to have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college, conservatory, or university prior to matriculating. Graduate students must submit their most recent official college transcript.

 

Complete an Online Audition and Interview

After the admissions team has received your online application and recorded interview, selected applicants will then be invited to register for an online audition and interview in the application portal. Applicants not selected to move forward with the admissions process will be notified via email and in their applicant portal. 

During your live online audition, you will be asked to perform five minutes of music of your choice to demonstrate your musicianship. Please note that any style of music can be performed at the audition. 

Your online interview will take place with Cecil Adderley, chair of the Music Education Department; Rhoda Bernard, assistant chair of the Music Education Department and the managing director of the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education; and other Berklee Music Education faculty members.

Submit Required Supporting Materials

There are several other materials that all graduate applicants are required to submit with their application by the application deadline: a personal statement, résumé/CV, and their college transcript(s). Two professional, work-related recommendation letters are also required. Review the important information below on how to submit these materials correctly.

When possible, all documents should be uploaded or submitted in PDF format.

Personal Statement 

Your personal statement should be uploaded to your application. It should describe where you see yourself professionally in five years and support the statement that the arts are important for all peoples' lives.

Résumé/CV

Your résumé or CV should include your personal details, educational background, and work experience within the application portal. The document must be written in or translated to English and submitted as a PDF.

Two Letters of Recommendation

Your letters of recommendation should come from two people you have worked or collaborated with in different contexts who can affirm and convey your musical strengths and skills. These letters are required and must be written in or translated to English and submitted as a PDF.

In the application portal, you will be asked to provide the contact information for your recommenders. They will receive an email to then upload their recommendation letter directly on your behalf. You or your recommender may also submit the letters to your Enrollment Officer at eo@berklee.edu before the application deadline.

Transcripts

We require official transcripts from your undergraduate bachelor’s degree by the applicable deadline. Do not submit transcripts for additional degrees or high school. 

Applicants need to complete their bachelor’s degree in order to start the master's degree program and must submit official transcripts before the start of the program. If you are admitted, you will be required to submit a copy of your diploma from your college or university before enrolling at Berklee.

If you are in the final year of your bachelor's degree program, you must submit your official transcripts for initial review. After graduation, you will be required to submit your official, final transcripts or proof of graduation to matriculate.

You are not required to submit GMAT or GRE scores with this application. If you received your undergraduate bachelor’s degree outside the US or Canada, do not have your institution submit your transcript directly to Berklee. Instead, please have your transcript evaluated by a credential agency.

Learn More

English Exam

Applicants for whom English is a second language must submit the results of one of the following standardized tests, taken within two years of starting the graduate program:

When you send your exam scores, you may be asked for Berklee’s institution code: 3107. 

If you completed at least two years of full-time study at an English-speaking college or university, this requirement may be waived upon receipt of your transcripts.

If you do not submit your exam scores or receive a waiver by the posted deadlines, your application will not be considered. Please reach out to ad@berklee.edu if you have any questions or concerns about meeting your application deadline.  

What’s Next?

After you’ve submitted all required materials and paid the application fee, your application will be reviewed by Berklee’s Board of Admissions. You will receive an admissions decision via email by the posted decision date. While waiting, we encourage you to explore these resources:

Apply for Financial Aid 

You’ll be considered for a merit-based scholarship automatically through the admissions process. Learn about tuition and financial aid. If you are a US citizen, file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for aid.

Review Visa Requirements for International Students

Admitted international students must obtain an I-20 and an F-1 visa, and the process could take a couple of months. To help you prepare, visit the available on the I-20 and F-1 Visa Information page. 

Check Your Application Status 
Throughout the process, we recommend you sign in to the application portal regularly to ensure that the admissions team has received everything they need to issue your decision. Important action items will be listed in the "Next Steps" section of the application portal. 

Get Your Admissions Decision
We’ll send you an email when your admission decision is posted to the application portal. Your decision will also include information regarding any Berklee scholarship awards.