Twelve years ago, the Berklee College of Music introduced Berklee Online, far before the hype that technology would threateningly lead to the end of the university as we know it. The decision was forward-thinking and has continued to enable thousands to receive an education from the world's number one music school without traveling to Boston or paying the normal cost of tuition.
As other schools rush to go online, the school is already one step ahead. With the turn of each year, Berklee Online has continued to evolve, expanding its reach and offerings to win the title of "Best Online College Course" for eight years in a row, from 2005 to 2012, by the University Professional and Continuing Education Association.
Just under a year ago, Berklee partnered with Southern New Hampshire University to launch the nation's first fully online MBA in Music Business. In mere months, Berklee became the first nonprofit music institution to offer accredited bachelor's degrees online — one in music business and another in music production.
Berklee Online CEO Debbie Cavalier, the school's vice president for online learning and continuing education, shared stories of the students applying for the program, including the husband-wife duo about to retire from the military who want to pursue their music career. Other applicants have included broadway stars and Grammy Award-winners who want to earn a degree without compromising their career.
"Coming back to Boston is just not an option for them," Cavalier said, referring to how several want to stay on the road touring. Younger students who were offered record deals and didn't want to miss out on the opportunity have also left the school, but are now enrolling online because they still want to earn a degree.
"These degrees will be so transformative," Cavalier added.
Annual tuition for the online degrees ring in at $16,500 — a price 60 percent less expensive than attending the physical school downtown. Roughly 300 students will be accepted into the inaugural class, and will receive degrees accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
The average age of a Berklee online learner is 32, according to Cavalier, who said she's been most surprised during the recent enrollment process by the rationale students have for taking to the Internet to receive an education.
"A lot want to take their career to the next level," Cavalier highlighted, "and are paving the way for more options for their future. It's a real testament to the lifelong learner and not resting on your laurels."
Of the 300 students in the inaugural class, a majority are already successful, yet want to continue to learn and grow.
To further foster the learning process, Berklee has started offering introductory courses through massive open online course platforms Coursera and edX. Currently, Berklee faculty are in discussions over how the school's online offerings could benefit the on-campus students.
"Look at affordability issues, for example," Cavalier explained. "Are there things students could do online and then come to Boston for, like ensembles or private lessons?"
Berklee's 12-week online courses lend themselves perfectly to the "flipped classroom" methodology. Residential students can complete introductory lessons online, and then save their time in the classroom for peer learning and professor engagement. The online courses are similar in that students can go through the material at their own pace, whether in audio, video or text format, and then collaborate on weekly assignments together in a live, conference room environment. Assignments are based on set learning objectives, and allow for the students to interact with each other, as well as receive feedback from faculty.
As for the overall online learning space, Cavalier noted, "I think it's evolving and changing very quickly. Where we are right now is very different from where we are going to be soon."
The most intriguing part of the space will be all the emerging data. "With online learning and learning analytics, we can design courses that if there's something you're not understanding, you're taken to a new set of topics," Cavalier added, claiming that, soon, education can be delivered in a way "that all students [can] succeed regardless of learning styles."
Cavalier will be further addressing the future of higher education at BostInno's State of Innovation Forum, set to be held on Thursday, June 12, at the Westin Waterfront. She will be joined alongside a slew of other big-ticket speakers to discuss the state of innovation in Massachusetts around four pillar categories: marketing, retail and e-commerce, education and mobile.
The time to snatch early bird tickets is running out, so purchase yours now.
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