The NEC/Harvard double degree program is a five-year program of studies leading to a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) at Harvard College and a Master of Music (M.M.) at New England Conservatory. The program will benefit musically and intellectually talented students who wish to pursue both a professional music education at NEC and a rigorous liberal arts education at Harvard.
During the first three years of the program, students will pursue the A.B. curriculum in the concentration of their choice at Harvard and take studio instruction each semester at NEC. Ensemble participation at either institution is encouraged for these three years of study. In the fourth year, students will complete all requirements for the A.B. degree at Harvard while beginning to fulfill NEC's M.M. degree requirements. Students will receive the M.M. degree from New England Conservatory after successful completion of the fifth year of study.
The program is open to high school students who apply to both institutions through their normal admissions process. Admission to the program is very competitive – applicants must demonstrate the highest level of performance ability or compositional skill, so it is possible that an applicant can be admitted to both institutions, but denied admission to the dual degree program. Normally, there are 5-6 students admitted each year.
The cost of the program consists of four years of Harvard tuition and one year of NEC tuition. In addition, NEC/Harvard program students are billed for the cost of studio instruction for the first 4 years (while enrolled full-time at Harvard) – currently, this charge is $7000. Students should apply for financial aid at both institutions as part of the admissions process.
Further information is available from the Department of Music at Harvard University (617-495-2791) or the Office of Admission at New England Conservatory (617-585-1101).
2010-08-26
DUKE ELLINGTON