Audio Production Schools and Colleges in the U.S.
Audio production courses prepare students for a variety of careers, including work in the music recording, film, television, live theater and the computer gaming industries. Degrees are often interdisciplinary, combining audio production with music, recording arts or audio technology.
How to Select an Audio Production School
Choosing a degree level can depend on what kind of career goals a student has. For example, students seeking entry-level jobs in the radio, television or audio recording industries can prepare for a career as a recording technician or radio producer through a 2-year associate degree program. Another alternative is a shorter certificate program offered through a college or university continuing education program. Programs may emphasize a team-based or project-based approach to learning in preparation for employment.
Careers as audio engineers, on-air talent or music producers may be attainable with a bachelor's degree in audio production, audio technology or a closely related field. Graduates of these programs may be prepared for careers as recording engineers, music producers, performers or recording artists. Bachelor's degrees are usually a prerequisite for master's and doctoral studies in audio production. Bachelor's degree students may also have general education requirements to complete.
Students inquiring into prospective schools may consider the facilities and the recording spaces provided for student learning. They may prefer schools with contemporary recording suites and state-of-the-art software packages available for student use. Facilities may include recording and mixing studios, computer/MIDI labs, microphones, and sound systems. Schools that offer internships at local studios, venues, radio and TV stations are also sought out, as the experience is valuable to students looking to gain contacts and mastery of the craft.
Program Overviews
Certificate Programs
Students in these continuing education certificate programs gain a broad understanding of audio production that includes recording, mixing, editing, processing, special effects, and preparing soundtracks. Hands-on technical work using technology like microphones and mixing boards is a common requirement. Students may take an assignment from pre- to post-production.
Associate Degree Programs
An associate degree in audio production generally takes two years to earn. Degree fields include video and audio production technology or audio engineering. The curriculum typically blends theory and applied learning using professional audio production equipment. Some programs are designed as transfer programs for students who know they'd like to continue their education at the bachelor's degree level.
Bachelor's Degree Programs
Bachelor of Science students generally have a more science-centered curriculum. They explore the physics of sound and the technology for processing it through classes like acoustics, audio recording, audio mixing, and technical project management. A Bachelor of Arts curriculum emphasizes music theory and its applications through classes in musical arrangement and sound design, plus digital audio and MIDI sequencing, signal processing, mixing, and mastering audio sound.
Related to Audio Production School
- Related
- Recently Updated
- Popular
Associate of Music Business or Audio Production: Degree Overviews
Associate degree programs in music business and audio production can prepare graduates for behind-the-scenes careers...
Bachelor of Audio Production: Degree Overview
A bachelor's degree in audio production prepares graduates for entry-level employment in a wide range of sound...
Audio Production Degree and Training Program Information
Audio production programs train students to set-up, operate and maintain sound equipment, including recording and...
Online Audio Production Degree Program Information
Though rare online, students can still learn audio production through distance education courses and programs. Online...
Masters Degree in Audio Production: Program Overview
- Bachelors Degree in Audio Production: Program Summary
- Audio Production: Top Rated School for a Career in Audio Production and Recording - Austin, TX
- Audio Production: Top Rated School for a Career in Audio Production and Recording - Nashville, TN
- Top Ranked Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Degree Programs - Atlanta, GA
- Best School for a Degree in Communications - Bakersfield, CA
- Best Healthcare Administration Degree Programs - Arlington, VA
- Top Degrees for Human Resource Management - San Francisco, CA
17 Popular Schools
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Arkansas (1 campus)
- Arizona (4)
- California (17)
- Colorado (3)
- Columbia (D.C.) (1)
- Florida (6)
- Georgia (2)
- Idaho (1)
- Indiana (1)
- Kansas (1)
- Kentucky (1)
- Michigan (2)
- Missouri (3)
- Mississippi (1)
- Wisconsin (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Florida (2 campuses)
- Illinois (1)
- Michigan (1)
- Nevada (1)
- Texas (1)
- Washington (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Florida (1 campus)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
- Master
-
Bachelor
-
- Bachelor of Science - Media Communications
- BS in Digital Arts and Design
-
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Associate
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Master
-
- MA in Communication: New Media & Marketing
-
- MA in Communication
-
- Bachelor
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Bachelor
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Currently not accepting applicants from Minnesota or Tennessee
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Bachelor
-
- BS in Information Technology - Multimedia and Web Development
-
-
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Alabama (1 campus)
- Arkansas (1)
- Arizona (2)
- California (6)
- Colorado (1)
- Florida (2)
- Georgia (3)
- Idaho (1)
- Illinois (3)
- Indiana (3)
- Kentucky (1)
- Louisiana (2)
- Massachusetts (2)
- Maryland (2)
- Michigan (5)
- Minnesota (1)
- Missouri (3)
- North Carolina (1)
- Nebraska (1)
- New Mexico (1)
- Nevada (2)
- New York (3)
- Ohio (7)
- Oklahoma (1)
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania (6)
- South Carolina (1)
- Tennessee (3)
- Texas (3)
- Utah (1)
- Virginia (4)
- Washington (3)
- Wisconsin (2)
- West Virginia (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
-
Bachelor
-
- Bachelor in Digital Entertainment and Game Design
-
-
Associate
-
- Associate in Information Technology - Multimedia
- Associate in Visual Communications
- Associate in Web Design
-
- Associate in Web Design Technology
- Associate in Graphic Communications and Design
-
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- All programs require applicants to have graduated high school in 2008 or earlier
- Must be 22 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
