Music Production & Sound Design for Visual Media Degrees

Sound Design MFA

The MFA in Sound Design is designed to provide the highest level of training in sound design for film, television, games and other visual media. Students will gain a complete overview of the audio post production process, recording and editing dialog, sound effects, and ambiences to create a sonic landscape which supports and informs the narrative, from initial recording to final mix. MFA students will complete a thesis project and portfolio in their final year, and graduate with a working knowledge of professional workflows to prepare them for success in the soundtrack industry.

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree
Major Classes

This program is available online and on campus

School of Music Production & Sound Design for Visual Media

MPT 632

Film Sound 1 - Creating Soundtracks Major/3

What we hear is just as important as what we see. In this hands-on course you will learn the most important elements of creating effective, dynamic sound design for film: recording and editing dialog, sound effects, music and more - then add effects and do a final mix - all in synchronization with video. Learn the art and craft of sound design!

MUS 601

Pro Tools Specialist Certification Prep Major/3

Avid Pro Tools is the most widely used sound and music production system in the world. This course introduces Pro Tools and prepares you to take the official level-1 Pro Tools Specialist Certification exam.

MUS 602

Soundtrack Industry Overview Major/3

As an incoming graduate student, you'll get an industry overview of soundtrack production for media, learn foundational concepts, and learn strategies for success in the MUS curriculum and in your midpoint and final review.

MUS 616

Audio Production Major/3

Audio production skills are key to success in the media industry. In this course you will learn recording, microphones, signal flow, audio editing and more. Gain experience in recording voice, instruments, and how to combine elements to create balanced mixes.

MUS 617

Sound Design for Games Major/3

Successful video games rely on realistic and compelling sound content. To build skills in audio production for game design, you'll record and edit audio assets like voice, sound effects and music, while learning how to put audio into a game engine utilizing middleware. (This course is cross-listed with MUS 317.)

MUS 629

Music Editing for Visual Media Major/3

In this course you will learn crucial music editing skills that combine the artistic and the technical. Emphasizing aesthetics, you will practice creating musical moods for visual media clips by editing existing music sources and use advanced techniques to synchronize and edit music to picture.

MUS 643

Creative Sound Design for Visual Media Major/3

Sound design is a powerful storytelling tool. Increase your abilities in audio editing, psychoacoustics, plug-ins and mixing to develop soundtracks based on script and character analysis. You'll also collaborate intelligently with directors, editors, and composers.(This course is cross-listed with MUS 320.)

MUS 705

Experimental Sound Design and Synthesis Major/3

Explore the world of experimental sound design and sound synthesis. Learn classic techniques like subtractive, additive, and FM synthesis and use tools like Logic Alchemy. Enjoy abstract uses of sound and music, audio art installations, and experimental technology. Discover how sound synthesis and experimentation will help you gain a larger and more creative perspective to enrich your career as a sonic artist. (This course is cross-listed with MUS 425.)

MUS 780

Music and Sound Design Professional Practices Major/3

Develop your demo reel and portfolio materials in preparation to enter the soundtrack for media industry. You'll build a professional demo reel that demonstrates your abilities as a music creator or sound designer that effectively supports the narrative and emotional content of visual media. Professional practices in the entertainment media industry are also emphasized.

Degree Requirements

Unit Requirements	Units
Major Coursework	33
Directed Study	18
Electives	6
Graduate Liberal Arts	6
Total	63

MFA SOUND DESIGN DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Successful completion of Final Thesis Project.
Minimum grade of C in all required 63 units.
Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirements:
1 Cross Cultural Understanding course
1 Major Designated Graduate Liberal Arts course

Additional Information

Graduate Liberal Arts

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

MFA Thesis Project

Plan an original portfolio of work worthy of the MFA degree
Complete an original MFA thesis which represents an advanced level of achievement in the field of sound design for visual media

Listening Skills and Critical Thinking

Analyze visual elements and execute innovative sound design and editorial for visual media
Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the singular elements and overall combinations of sound design
Think critically and demonstrate flexibility in creating or editing music for client needs

Soundtrack for Visual Media

Create compelling, balanced and professional sound mixes
Create sound which supports or heightens the emotional impacts of visual images (or visual material)

Production Skills and Technical Knowledge

Demonstrate expert-level proficiency with software related to contemporary sound production techniques

Professional Readiness

Present a comprehensive demo reel / portfolio demonstrating professional-level achievement
Collaborate effectively with a creative team on a given project, such as a film, television show, animation, game, multimedia project, or commercial