Berklee Offers College Credit Online

The legendary Berklee College of Music has been really making use of the Internet with its Berkleemusic online program. Now they are REALLY going crazy-go-nuts offering college credit courses in music online for the first time:

Berkleemusic.com, the online extension school of Berklee College of Music, today announced that it will begin providing courses for college credit in September 2004, and will offer 17 distinctive certificate programs in studio production, music theory, songwriting, arranging, electronic music production, and music business.

These new offerings elevate Berklee’s online music education capabilities by enabling students nationwide and worldwide to gain industry-recognized qualifications from Berklee College of Music, earn credits that can supplement music programs offered by other institutions, and secure financial aid to help pay for their education. The online extension school provides continuing education opportunities that are independent of the undergraduate program offered at Berklee College of Music’s Boston campus. Students can now register for the online college credit courses, which begin on September 20.

….Berkleemusic.com’s 17 certificates will be offered through three distinctive programs: Specialist Certificate Programs consist of three courses; Professional Certificate Programs include five courses over a one-year period; and Masters Certificate Programs comprised of eight courses taken over a two-year period.

Musicians will also be able to take individual courses to complement degree programs at other institutions. By transferring college credits from Berkleemusic.com, students at various schools will have the opportunity to take advantage of Berklee’s unique courses, time-tested teaching methods, and expertise, while moving toward a degree at another college. The online credit is not transferable to Berklee College of Music, which offers independent undergraduate degree and diploma programs requiring residency on-campus.

Ironic that last bit, but super cool nonetheless. Now you don’t have to pick up and move to Boston to get real Berklee instruction and full college credit. Distance education is one area where the Internet truly IS revolutionary.