Koyo School of Music and Dance—Japan
Koyo School of Music and Dance is a leading contemporary music institution based on Kobe, Japan with over three decades of partnership with Berklee College of Music.
Benefits for Students
This program enables students to begin their music education at Koyo School of Music and Dance of the Jikei Group of Colleges (Koyo) in Kobe, Japan, and complete an undergraduate degree at Berklee in Boston. Once accepted to Berklee, students may receive transfer credit for certain courses taken at Koyo.
Visit the Koyo website to learn more about the credit transfer pathway to Berklee.
Contact Information
Koyo School of Music and Dance
Mr. Keisuke Okai, Director of International Affairs
2nd Floor Office, 107-1 Ito-machi, Chuo-ku,
Kobe city, Hyogo, 650-0032, Japan
(+81) 78 882-5460
okai@music.ac.jp
About the Program
Students Who Entered Koyo on or After September 1, 2022
Entrance Requirements
Students transferring from Koyo to Berklee must earn a grade of “B” (3.00/4.00 GPA) or better in each course specified in the Berklee Global Partner (BGP) credit transfer agreement (see "Courses and Credits" below) to receive credit. If a student receives a grade of “B-“ or lower in any of the required core music courses, no credit will be awarded to the student for any of the core music courses listed in the credit transfer agreement.
In this case, the student will enter Berklee as a transfer student. In the first semester of study, they will be required to take the Entering Student Placement Assessment (ESPA) for course placement in core music courses. They may transfer in any applicable liberal arts and sciences courses admissible under the transfer credit policy in place at the time of the student's matriculation to Berklee.
Admissions: Koyo students who wish to transfer to Berklee are required to go through Berklee's official undergraduate admissions process. Students accepted to Berklee will receive transfer credit for courses taken at Koyo in accordance with an agreement between the two schools. Transferring students must send Berklee an official transcript showing all courses specified as completed with a satisfactory grade of "B" or better before credit transfer at Berklee can take place.
Koyo students planning to transfer to Berklee under this agreement must do so within four years after completing their program of study at Koyo.
Liberal Arts and General Electives
Students seeking to transfer credit to Berklee must first take the steps outlined in the Pre-Approval Process to determine whether the desired course(s) qualify for transfer.
- Students may transfer up to 24 credits of liberal arts courses toward their liberal arts requirements at Berklee.
- Only 15 of those 24 credits can be completed and transferred in after a student has started their studies at Berklee.
- Those 15 credits can be applied to a student’s academic requirements as follows: nine credits can be applied to liberal arts requirements, and six credits can be applied to general elective requirements.
- Students in the Bachelor of Music or Arts degree programs must earn a minimum of 39 credits in liberal arts and may use six additional liberal arts credits (two courses) as general elective credit.
- Students in the Professional Diploma program must earn a minimum of 6 credits in liberal arts and may use up to 12 liberal arts credits (four courses) as general elective credits.
Performance Courses
- Ensembles:
- Koyo transfer students will receive up to 6 transfer credits in ensembles after completing one or two credits per course taken at Koyo based on credit equivalency with an average grade of “B” or better.
- All students are required to enroll in an ensemble in their first semester at Berklee.
- Principal Instrument:
- Principal instrument courses (private lessons) taken at a BGP school are nontransferable.
- Berklee’s policy states that all students, including transfer students, must participate in and pass a minimum of four semesters of principal instrument instruction at Berklee, regardless of their level of proficiency.
- All transfer students are required to take a Berklee instrumental/vocal proficiency placement examination upon arrival at Berklee to ensure appropriate placement in principal instrument courses.
Requirements to Graduate
- Residency: All students, including candidates transferring from another school, are normally required to complete a minimum of four semesters of full-time attendance and earn a minimum of 60 credits (48 credits for diploma students) at Berklee College of Music in order to graduate. Credit by exam (CBX), advanced placement credit, CLEP credit, and transfer credit do not count as residency requirement credits, even if earned while at Berklee College of Music. This requirement will be applied regardless of the number of credits transferred.
- Attain at least a 2.70 cumulative GPA in all major courses and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
- Complete the principal instrument proficiency level, as specified by the major.
- Complete a required final project in the chosen area of concentration, as described and approved by the department chair (as applicable).
- For music education majors, complete all observation and student teaching requirements.
- For music therapy majors, complete all coursework and a six-month, full-time, post-coursework internship.
- Fulfill all financial obligations to the college.
Learn more about the requirements to graduate.
We encourage you to review the Berklee Global Academic Partner Berklee Track Guidebook, which provides comprehensive information about the credit transfer process.
Courses and Credits
Required Transfer Credits: 22
| Koyo School of Music and Dance Courses | Berklee College of Music Course Equivalents |
|---|---|
| Harmony 1 | PW-111 Music Application and Theory (4 cr.) |
| Harmony 2 | HR-112 Harmony 2 (2 cr.) |
| Arranging 1 | AR-111 Arranging 1 (2 cr.) |
| Ear Training 1 | ET-111 Ear Training 1 (2 cr.) |
| Ear Training 2 | ET-112 Ear Training 2 (2 cr.) |
| Introduction to Computer Music | MTEC-111 Introduction to Music Technology (2 cr.) |
| Harmony 3 | HR-211 Harmony 3 (2 cr.) |
| Harmony 4 | HR-212 Harmony 4 (2 cr.) |
| Ear Training 3 | ET-211 Ear Training 3 (2 cr.) or ET-231 Solfege 1 (2 c.), depending on Berklee major requirement |
| Ear Training 4 | ET-212 Ear Training 4 (2 cr.) or ET-232 Solfege 2 (2 cr.), depending on Berklee major requirement |
Additional Potential Transfer Credits: 33
Note: Contact the Koyo academic advisor to ask about the courses below.
| Koyo School of Music and Dance Courses | Berklee College of Music Course Equivalents |
|---|---|
| Classical Music Analysis | MLAN-311 Analysis of Classical and Romantic Music (2 cr.) |
| English as a Second Language 2 and 3 | LHUM-2xx Liberal Arts Elective (3 cr.) |
| Traditional Harmony and Composition 1 | CM-211 Tonal Harmony and Composition 1 (2 cr.) |
| Traditional Harmony and Composition 2 | CM-212 Tonal Harmony and Composition 2 (2 cr.) |
| Counterpoint | CP-210 The Art of Counterpoint (3 cr.) |
| Basic Keyboard 1 | ISKB-212 Basic Keyboard Techniques 1 (1 cr.) |
| Basic Keyboard 2 | ISKB-211 Basic Keyboard Techniques 2 (1 cr.) |
| Ethnic Music 1 | PSW-346 African Diaspora: South American Music (2 cr.) |
| Ethnic Music 2 | MLAN-346 Music and Culture of India, the Far East, and Eastern Europe (2 cr.) |
| History of Pop/Rock Music | MHIS-322 History of Rock Music (2 cr.) |
| History of Jazz | LHAN-221 History of Jazz (2 cr.) |
| Western Music History 1 and 2 | MHIS-201 History of Music in the European Tradition (2 cr.) |
| Introduction to Songwriting | SW-111 Essentials of Songwriting (1 cr.) |
| Jazz Improvisation 1 | PSIJ-211 Jazz Improvisational Techniques (2 cr.) |
| Arranging 2 | AR-112 Arranging 2 for Entering Students (2 cr.) |
| Lydian Chromatic Concept | AR-340 Jazz Arranging for Small Ensembles (2 cr.) |
| Survey of Harmony in Rock Music | HR-231 Harmonic Analysis of Rock Music (2 cr.) |
| Additional Potential General Elective Credits: 56 NOTE: Students must contact the Koyo academic advisor about the courses below |
|---|
| Koyo School of Music and Dance students may transfer a maximum of 10 credits (cr.) of General Elective courses from the list of classes noted under the "KOYO Courses" column below. |
| Koyo Courses |
| Improvisational Concepts for Bass (2 cr.) |
| Fundamentals of Guitar Improvisation (2 cr.) |
| Jazz Improvisation 2 (2 cr.) |
| Jazz Improvisation 3 (2 cr.) |
| Jazz-Fusion Improvisation (2 cr.) |
| Rock Improvisation (2 cr.) |
| Blues Improvisation (2 cr.) |
| Advanced Jazz Improvisation 1 (2 cr.) |
| Advanced Jazz Improvisation 2 (2 cr.) |
| Vocal Improvisation in Jazz (2 cr.) |
| Stage Performance Skills 1 (2 cr.) |
| Stage Performance Skills 2 (2 cr.) |
| Chord Scales in Improvisation (2 cr.) |
| Vocal Improvisation in R&B/Pop (2 cr.) |
| Fingerpicking Style Guitar (2 cr.) |
| Stylistic Study of Funk Guitar Performance (2 cr.) |
| Hand Percussion (2 cr.) |
| Stylistic Study of Modern Drumming (2 cr.) |
| Compound Sticking and Polyrhythm (2 cr.) |
| Song Arrangement Techniques (2 cr.) |
| Songwriting 2 (2 cr.) |
| Songwriting 3 (2 cr.) |
| Logic for Songwriters 1 (2 cr.) |
| Logic for Songwriters 2 (2 cr.) |
| Logic for Songwriters 3 (2 cr.) |
| Mindful Movement for Musicians (2 cr.) |
| Copyright and Legal Issues in the Music Business (2 cr.) |
| Beginning Dance for Singers (2 cr.) |
Potential Transfer Credit Summary
Required Transfer Credits: 22
Additional Potential Credits: 33
Potential Ensemble Credits: 6
Additional Potential General Elective Credits: 56 credits
Total potential transfer credits with the agreement: 117 credits
Students Who Entered Koyo Prior to September 1, 2022
Entrance Requirements
Koyo students who wish to transfer to Berklee are required to go through Berklee's official undergraduate admissions process. Students accepted to Berklee will receive transfer credit for courses taken at Koyo in accordance with an agreement between the two schools.
Students transferring to Berklee must earn a grade of B or higher (3.00–4.00) in each level 1 (core music) course, and a grade of C or higher (2.00–4.00) in each level 2 (other liberal arts and general electives) course designated for transfer in this agreement (see "Required Courses" below) in order to receive transfer credit from Berklee.
To earn credit for any course in level 1 for which students receive a grade below B, students will be required upon entering Berklee to (1) take the entering student proficiency assessment (ESPA) for harmony and ear training courses; (2) earn credit by exam (CBX) for music technology, tonal harmony, and counterpoint courses; or (3) enroll in the course at Berklee. For any course in level 2 for which students receive a grade below C, credit will not be granted.
Residency Requirements
Students attending Berklee’s on-campus programs under this agreement must fulfill Berklee’s residency requirement: All students, including candidates transferring from another school, are normally required to complete at least four semesters of attendance and a minimum of 60 credits for the Bachelor of Music degree (or 48 credits for the professional diploma) in order to graduate from the college. This requirement will be applied regardless of the number of credits transferred.
See more information about core music courses at Berklee.
Liberal Arts and General Electives
Students seeking to transfer credit to Berklee must first take the steps outlined in the Pre-Approval Process to determine whether the desired course(s) qualify for transfer.
- Students may transfer up to 24 credits of liberal arts courses toward their liberal arts requirements at Berklee.
- Only 15 of those 24 credits can be completed and transferred in after a student has started their studies at Berklee.
- Those 15 credits can be applied to a student’s academic requirements as follows: 9 credits can be applied to liberal arts requirements, and 6 credits can be applied to general elective requirements.
- Students in the Bachelor of Music or Arts degree programs must earn a minimum of 39 credits in liberal arts and may use 6 additional liberal arts credits (two courses) as general elective credit.
- Students in the Professional Diploma program must earn a minimum of 6 credits in liberal arts and may use up to 12 liberal arts credits (four courses) as general elective credits.
See detailed information about transfers of liberal arts courses and general elective courses.
See more information about liberal arts courses at Berklee.
Performance Courses
Ensembles: Koyo transfer students may receive up to six transfer credits for ensembles.
Principal Instrument: Principal instrument courses (private lessons) taken at Koyo are nontransferable. Berklee’s policy states that all students, including transfer students, must participate in and pass a minimum of four semesters of principal instrument instruction at Berklee, regardless of their level of proficiency. All transfer students are required to take a Berklee instrumental/vocal proficiency placement examination upon arrival at Berklee to ensure appropriate placement in principal instrument courses.
We encourage you to review the Berklee Global Academic Partner Berklee Track Guidebook, which provides comprehensive information about the credit transfer process.
Requirements to Graduate
- Residency: All students, including candidates transferring from another school, are normally required to complete a minimum of four semesters of full-time attendance and earn a minimum of 60 credits (48 credits for diploma students) at Berklee College of Music in order to graduate. Credit by exam (CBX), advanced placement credit, CLEP credit, and transfer credit do not count as residency requirement credits, even if earned while at Berklee College of Music. This requirement will be applied regardless of the number of credits transferred.
- Attain at least a 2.70 cumulative GPA in all major courses and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
- Complete the principal instrument proficiency level, as specified by the major.
- Complete a required final project in the chosen area of concentration, as described and approved by the department chair (as applicable).
- For music education majors, complete all observation and student teaching requirements.
- For music therapy majors, complete all coursework and a six-month, full-time, post-coursework internship.
- Fulfill all financial obligations to the college.
Learn more about the requirements to graduate.
Courses and Credits
Level 1: Required Core Music Courses (29 Potential Transfer Credits)
Students must complete all of the required core music courses listed in block 1 below to be eligible for transfer credits. Contact the academic advisor at this institution to ask for details.
| BLOCK 1 (14 Credits) | |
|---|---|
| Koyo School of Music and Dance Courses | Berklee College of Music Course Equivalents |
| Harmony 1 | PW-111 Music Application and Theory (4 cr.) |
| Harmony 2 | HR-112 Harmony 2 (2 cr.) |
| Arranging 1 | AR-111 Arranging 1 (2 cr.) |
| Ear Training 1 | ET-111 Ear Training 1 (2 cr.) |
| Ear Training 2 | ET-112 Ear Training 2 (2 cr.) |
| Introduction to Computer Music | MTEC-111 Introduction to Music Technology (2 cr.) |
| BLOCK 2 (15 POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL CREDITS) | |
|---|---|
| Koyo School of Music and Dance Courses | Berklee College of Music Course Equivalents |
| Harmony 3 | HR-211 Harmony 3 (2 cr.) |
| Harmony 4 | HR-212 Harmony 4 (2 cr.) |
| Ear Training 3 | ET-211 Ear Training 3 (2 cr.) or ET-231 Solfege 1 (2 cr.), depending on Berklee major requirement |
| Ear Training 4 | ET-212 Ear Training 4 (2 cr.) or ET-232 Solfege 2 (2 cr.), depending on Berklee major requirement |
| Traditional Harmony and Composition 1 | CM-211 Tonal Harmony and Composition 1 (2 cr.) |
| Traditional Harmony and Composition 2 | CM-212 Tonal Harmony and Composition 2 (2 cr.) |
| Counterpoint | CP-210 The Art of Counterpoint (3 cr.) |
Level 2: Other Liberal Arts Courses and General Elective Courses (22 Potential Transfer Credits)
Note: Contact the academic advisor at this institution to ask about the courses below.
| Koyo School of Music and Dance Courses | Berklee College of Music Course Equivalents |
|---|---|
| Classical Music Analysis | MLAN-311 Analysis of Classical and Romantic Music (2 cr.) |
| English as a Second Language 2 and 3 | LHUM-2xx Liberal Arts Elective (3 cr.) |
| Ethnic Music 1 | PSW-346 African Diaspora: South American Music (2 cr.) |
| Ethnic Music 2 | MLAN-346 Music and Culture of India, the Far East, and Eastern Europe (2 cr.) |
| History of Pop/Rock Music | MHIS-322 History of Rock Music (2 cr.) |
| History of Jazz | LHAN-221 History of Jazz (2 cr.) |
| Western Music History 1 and 2 | MHIS-201 History of Music in the European Tradition (2 cr.) |
| Introduction to Songwriting | SW-111 Essentials of Songwriting (1 cr.) |
| Jazz Improvisation | PSIJ-211 Jazz Improvisational Techniques (2 cr.) |
| Lydian Chromatic Concept | AR-340 Jazz Arranging for Small Ensembles (2 cr.) |
| Survey of Harmony in Rock Music | HR-231 Harmonic Analysis of Rock Music (2 cr.) |
Potential Transfer Credit Summary
Level 1 courses: 29 credits
Level 2 courses: 22 credits
Ensemble courses: 6 credits
Total: 57 credits