Combining Music with State-of-the-Art Technology
Use the latest technology in creating and recording music. You will learn to use sophisticated equipment, work with professional software, create music for multimedia and film, use a mixing board and learn various microphone techniques, run and record live sessions, and print your own music for publication. The College’s program also offers you internship opportunities at local recording studios, individual computer stations with extensive technology for recording and composing, an introduction to the music industry as a business, and training on the same equipment that music industry professionals use. This program is ideal for anyone who wants to pursue a career in music production and studio recording, musicians who want to be able to record and publish their own music, and music teachers.
Careers
Find your path.
Music Composer and Arranger – est. salary $44,137
Sound Engineering Technician – est. salary $47,157*
**EMSI Data, 2019; Philadelphia County, PA; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Transfer Opportunities
Videos & Multimedia
Courses and Completion Sequence
The following courses and sequence of courses is designed for the optimal success and completion of the Sound Recording and Music Technology degree/certificate. Any alterations should be discussed with your academic advisor.
Semester 1
| Course Number and Name | Credits | Advisory Notes | Course Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUS 100 - Music Reading | 3 credits |
Students with a foundational music theory background should contact the Music Department Chair to complete the MUS 100: Music Reading course requirement as a credit by exam. MUS 100 covers key signatures, major scales, intervals, music language and rhythmic recognition.
|
Major Course |
| MUS 101 - Piano I | 1 credit | Major Course | |
| MUS 115 - Introduction to Music Technology | 3 credit | Students must take MUS 115 to keep on the Music Tech Course Sequence. | Major Course |
| FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra | 3 credits | Mathematics | |
| ENGL 101 - English Composition I | 3 credit | ENGL 101 must be passed with a “C” or better to move onto ENGL 102. | ENGL 101 |
| MUS 196B - Brass Ensemble I or MUS 196C - Chamber Music Ensemble I or MUS 196E - Electronic Ensemble I or MUS 196G - Jazz Guitar Ensemble I or MUS 196J - Jazz Ensemble I or MUS 196P - Pop & Rock Ensemble I or MUS 196SA - Soprano/Alto Ensemble I or MUS 196TB - Tenor/Bass Ensemble I |
1 credit | Students can register for any ensemble at the 196 level. All students must complete at least one semester of Men’s/Women’s Vocal Ensemble as part of the curriculum. This can be at the MUS 196, 197, 296 or 297 course level. |
Major Course |
- This program is designed to provide students with the option of entering the workforce or transferring to a bachelor's degree program after earning their associate's degree
- Follow this course schedule each semester and you’ll earn your associate’s degree in two years
- Make sure you discuss your first semester schedule and your educational plan with an advisor or counselor when you register.
Semester 2
| Course Number and Name | Credits | Advisory Notes | Course Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUS 180 - Music Business | 3 credits | Registration in MUS 180 allows students to participate with Spring Garden Records, the College’s record label. | Humanities |
| MUS 116 - Theory I |
4 credits | Prerequisite: MUS 100 | Major Course |
| MUS 215 - Advanced Music Technology and Multimedia | 3 credit | Prerequisite: MUS 115 | Major Course |
| MUS 102 - Piano II | 1 credits | Prerequisite: MUS 101 | Major Course |
| ENGL 102 - The Research Paper | 3 credit | Prerequisite: ENGL 101 with a grade of "C" or better | ENGL 102, Info Lit |
| MUS 197B - Brass Ensemble II or MUS 197C - Chamber Music Ensemble II or MUS 197E - Electronic Ensemble II or MUS 197G - Jazz Guitar Ensemble II or MUS 197J - Jazz Ensemble II or MUS 197P - Pop & Rock Ensemble II or MUS 197SA - Soprano/Alto Ensemble II or MUS 197TB - Tenor/Bass Ensemble II |
1 credit | Students can register for any ensemble at the 197 level. All students must complete at least one semester of Men’s/Women’s Vocal Ensemble as part of the curriculum. This can be at the MUS 196, 197, 296 or 297 course level. |
Major Course |
- Don’t forget to meet with an advisor and review this schedule when registering for your classes
- Start planning for transfer:
- Did you know our dual admissions partnerships include scholarship opportunities?
- Learn more about our transfer agreements and use our interactive search tool for your program’s transfer options
- Make sure you are using Starfish Connect to track and improve your grades
- Stay on the path to success: take advantage of academic support services offered by Counseling the Learning Labs, Academic Advising and more
- Now is a good time to start financial planning for next semester:
- Manage your financial aid
- Take advantage of our payment plans and know the payment deadlines
- Apply for a scholarship— You only have to complete one application to be considered for all available scholarships
Semester 3
| Course Number and Name | Credits | Advisory Notes | Course Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUS 118 - Theory II | Prerequisite: MUS 116 | Major Course | |
| MUS 220 - ProTools - Digital Audio Editing | 3 credits | Prerequisite: MUS 215 MUS 220 is typically only offered in the Fall semester. |
Major Course |
| MUS 103 - Introduction to Music | 3 credits | Major Course | |
| MUS 280 - Music Entrepreneurship, Licensing and Marketing | 3 credits | Prerequisite: MUS 180 |
Fulfills Tech Competency |
| MUS 296B - Brass Ensemble III or MUS 296C - Chamber Music Ensemble III or MUS 296E - Electronic Ensemble III or MUS 296G - Jazz Guitar Ensemble III or MUS 296J - Jazz Ensemble III or MUS 296P - Pop & Rock Ensemble III or MUS 296SA - Soprano/Alto Ensemble III or MUS 296TB - Tenor/Bass Ensemble III |
1 credit | Students can register for any ensemble at the 296 level. All students must complete at least one semester of Men’s/Women’s Vocal Ensemble as part of the curriculum. This can be at the MUS 196, 197, 296 or 297 course level |
- Meet with an advisor and review this schedule when registering for your classes
- Make sure you are using Starfish Connect to track and improve your grades
- Stay on the path to success: take advantage of academic support services offered by Counseling the Learning Labs, Academic Advising and more
- Start financial planning for next semester:
- Manage your financial aid
- Take advantage of our payment plans and know the payment deadlines
- Apply for a scholarship—You only have to complete one application to be considered for all available scholarships
Semester 4
| Course Number and Name | Credits | Advisory Notes | Course Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUS 260 - Sound Reinforcement and Recording Session | 3 credits | Prerequisite: MUS 215 MUS 260 is only offered in the Spring semester. Prerequisite for MUS 290 |
Major Course |
| MUS 290 - Music Internship | 2 credits | Prerequisites: MUS 180, MUS 260 which may be taken concurrently MUS 290 is only offered in the Spring semester. Requires 10 hours of Internship experience per week in the field + 1 hour lecture course per week. |
Major Course |
| PHYS 125 - Musical Acoustics | 3 credits | PHYS 125 is always offered during the Spring semester, though there have recently been offerings in the Fall as well. | Natural Science |
| ACCT 101 - Financial Accounting | 4 credits | Major Course | |
| ADC 176 / HIST 176 - Philadelphia History: Architecture and Planning or ANTH 112 - Cultural Anthropology or GEOG 103 - Introduction to Human Geography or HIST 101 - United States History: Colonial America through the Revolutionary Era or HIST 102 - United States History: The 19th Century or HIST 103 - United States History: The 20th Century or HIST 103H - United States and Pennsylvania History: The 20th Century (Honors) or HIST 121 - Global History I HIST 122 - Global History II or HIST 142 - Food History or HIST 146 - Latino American History or HIST 150 - History of American Health Care or SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology or SOC 115 – Gender and Society |
3 credits | SOC 101 recommended due to the fact that it fulfills many Gen Ed requirements and is transferrable if pursuing a 4-year degree. | Social Sciences American/Global Diversity Interpretive Studies Writing Intensive |
| MUS 297B - Brass Ensemble IV or MUS 297C - Chamber Music Ensemble IV or MUS 297E - Electronic Ensemble IV or MUS 297G - Jazz Guitar Ensemble IV or MUS 297J - Jazz Ensemble IV or MUS 297P - Pop & Rock Ensemble IV or MUS 297SA - Soprano/Alto Ensemble IV or MUS 297TB - Tenor/Bass Ensemble IV |
1 credit | Students can register for any ensemble at the 297 level. All students must complete at least one semester of Men’s/Women’s Vocal Ensemble as part of the curriculum. This can be at the MUS 196, 197, 296 or 297 course level . |
Major Course |
- Congratulations, this is your final semester! Don’t forget to complete your graduation application.
- Meet with an advisor when registering for your classes
- Finalize your transfer plans:
- Meet with a counselor at your selected dual admissions transfer college
- Meet with one of our College’s counselors or an advisor to review transfer requirements
- Take advantage of our scholarship opportunities for transferring students and apply for a scholarship
- Visit Career Connections to learn about internships and your future career possibilities
General Education Requirements:
All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College’s general education requirements is also available.
Featured Career
Sound Engineering Technician
Operate machines and equipment to record, synchronize, mix, or reproduce music, voices, or sound effects in sporting arenas, theater productions, recording studios, or movie and video productions.
Median Salary
$47,157
$47,157
Number of Jobs
77
in the region
77
in the region
10 Year Job Outlook
+13.33%
in the region
+13.33%
in the region
Typical Tasks
- Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.
- Prepare for recording sessions by performing activities such as selecting and setting up microphones.
- Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
- Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.
- Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds later during the mixing or postproduction stage.
How well does it pay?
New workers generally start around $29,832. Normal pay for Sound Engineering Technicians is $47,157 per year, while highly experienced workers can earn as much as $67,934.
Program Information
Sound Recording and Music Technology
Degree Type:
Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)Credits Needed to Graduate:
60
Online Learning Availability:
30% or Greater