Explore the intersection of music and technology with the Music Technology B.S. program. Gain the skills needed to innovate at the intersection of music and technology and create cutting-edge music compositions. Enroll now and become a music tech pioneer.
Music Technology - B.S.
Contact Us
College of the Arts
School of Music
www.kent.edu/music
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Program Coordinator:
Sebastian Birch
sbirch@kent.edu
330-244-3359
Bachelor’s Degree in Music Technology – B.S.
AVAILABLE ONLY AT THE KENT STATE UNIVERSITY STARK CAMPUS.
This degree concentrates on courses in music production and audio recording using industry-standard technology. Students take classes and work in five on-campus recording and music production facilities, as well as at Kopperhead recording studio in North Canton. The development of strong musicianship is also an important aspect of the curriculum. Students are required to study instrumental or vocal performance, music theory, and music history, including world music, to provide a well-rounded education in preparation for successful careers in the music industry.
The program is enhanced by educational partnerships with leading music software companies including McDSP, maker of professional grade audio plug-ins, and Rational Acoustics, maker of the industry-standard Smaart® software for real-time sound measurement in acoustic applications.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MUSIC TECHNOLOGY, PLEASE CONTACT:
Cindy Deng
Admissions Counselor
cdeng@kent.edu | 330-244-3238
Program Information for Music Technology - B.S.
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Program Description
Full Description
The Bachelor of Science degree in Music Technology prepares students as musicians within a broad field of constantly changing technology. Students study in courses that develop expertise in music computer technology for application in the recording industry, audio-engineering and music production.
The development of music technology has had an enormous impact on the music industry. There are many career opportunities for talented musicians in music technology. Skilled musicians can apply formal training to recording careers, studio performance, arranging or producing and live performances. Opportunities are also available in non-traditional, contemporary popular music venues, the movie industry, television, multi-media events and music for advertising, as well as traditional performing arts venues. The growth of music technology has made knowledge and experience in this area a necessity for all students preparing for a career in any area of the music industry. To compete effectively in the contemporary music world, one must possess a strong traditional music background, plus the technical expertise required to make the most of a rapidly changing and developing technology.
The Music Technology major comprises the following concentrations:
- The Audio Recording concentration provides students the opportunity to learn advanced audio recording techniques.
- The Music Production concentration provides students the opportunity to learn how to use technology to realize creative work such as original music, arranging and production.
- The Performance concentration provides students who want to perform the necessary technological tools to succeed in the modern music industry.
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Admissions
for Music Technology - B.S.
Admission Requirements
The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.
Admission to this major is selective. To be admitted to the Music Technology major, students audition their primary instrument and/or with a portfolio and complete theory and keyboard placement tests.
International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning a minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 47 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive English Program. For more information on international admission visit the admissions website for international students.
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Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Function as competent and versatile professional studio musicians who perform in diverse commercial music venues.
- Compose and arrange music.
- Create appropriate sound for visual media.
- Create music productions of professional quality.
- Produce professional audio recordings, both live and in studio, from start to finish.
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Coursework
On This Page
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA) (min C grade required in all courses) MUS 11121 THEORY I 4 MUS 11122 THEORY II 4 MUS 21113 MUSIC PRODUCTION I 3 MUS 21114 MUSIC PRODUCTION II 3 MUS 21221 AUDIO RECORDING I 3 MUS 21222 AUDIO RECORDING II 3 MUS 21341 CONTEMPORARY POPULAR MUSIC THEORY 3 MUS 22111 UNDERSTANDING WESTERN MUSIC (KFA) 3 MUS 22121 MUSIC AS A WORLD PHENOMENON (DIVG) (KFA) 3 MUS 32211 WESTERN MUSIC HISTORY I 3 or MUS 42131 MUSIC OF THE UNITED STATES or MUS 42161 HISTORY OF JAZZ (DIVD) MUS 32230 NAVIGATING THE MUSIC INDUSTRY 3 MUS 40092 MUSIC TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP (ELR) 2 MUS 42165 HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY POPULAR MUSIC (DIVD) (WIC) 1 3 Music (MUS) Elective 3 Major Ensemble, choose from the following: 2 8 MUS 45141KENT STATE UNIVERSITY CHORALE MUS 45142CORO CANTARE MUS 45143CANTIQUE MUS 45212ORCHESTRA MUS 45221SYMPHONY BAND MUS 45223WIND ENSEMBLE Applied Studio Musicianship, choose from the following: 3 8 MUS 36913APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP 4 MUS 36914ELECTRIC GUITAR APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36915ELECTRIC BASS APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36916DRUM SET PERCUSSION APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36917KEYBOARD APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36918CONTEMPORARY VOICE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36919FLUTE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36920CLARINET APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36921SAXOPHONE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36922TRUMPET APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36923HORN APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36924TROMBONE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP Piano Class or Applied Music Piano, choose from the following: 5 2 MUS 17111PIANO CLASS I MUS 17112PIANO CLASS II MUS 27111PIANO CLASS III MUS 27112PIANO CLASS IV Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA) BUS 10123 EXPLORING BUSINESS 3 or ENTR 27056 INTRODUCTION TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP or MGMT 24163 PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT CS 10051 COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES (KMCR) 4 UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1 6 3 6 6-7 6 General Elective (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credits hour, including 39 upper-division credit hours) 1 Concentrations 23 Choose from the following: Minimum Total Credit Hours: 120 - 1
A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.
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Major ensemble (eight separate semesters): All music technology majors must enroll in an ensemble appropriate to their major performance area. Two credit hours must be taken in major ensemble. Major ensemble credit can be earned for MUS 25011 and MUS 25225, as approved by faculty. Students may choose to complete the remaining 6 credit hours with MUS 35213, or 4 credit hours with MUS 35213 or major ensemble and 2 credit hours with ensemble electives (such as MUS 25311 and MUS 45231 for students whose instrument is guitar) as approved by faculty.
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Applied studio musicianship (four semesters and 8 credit hours): Students must meet the Sophomore Proficiency requirement after two semesters and the Senior Proficiency requirement for graduation.
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Students register for MUS 36913 for all other popular music instruments not listed.
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Students who have completed the Applied Studio Musicianship and Applied Music requirement on piano may replace requirement with Music (MUS) electives.
Audio Recording Concentration Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) (min C grade required in all courses) MUS 31221 AUDIO RECORDING III 3 MUS 31222 AUDIO RECORDING IV 3 MUS 41181 ACOUSTICS AND TECHNOLOGY IN MUSIC 2 MUS 41221 AUDIO RECORDING V 3 MUS 41222 AUDIO RECORDING VI 3 MUS 41240 AUDIO ELECTRONICS I 3 MUS 41250 LIVE SOUND PRODUCTION 2 Applied Studio Musicianship, choose from the following: 1,2 4 MUS 36913APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36914ELECTRIC GUITAR APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36915ELECTRIC BASS APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36916DRUM SET PERCUSSION APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36917KEYBOARD APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36918CONTEMPORARY VOICE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36919FLUTE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36920CLARINET APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36921SAXOPHONE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36922TRUMPET APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36923HORN APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36924TROMBONE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP Minimum Total Credit Hours: 23 - 1
Applied studio musicianship (four semesters and 8 credit hours): Students must pass the Sophomore Proficiency Threshold after two semesters and the Senior Proficiency Threshold for graduation.
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Students who choose to complete more than one concentration may apply Applied Studio Musicianship hours toward all concentrations.
Music Production Concentration Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) (min C grade required in all courses) MUS 21213 CLASS COMPOSITION I 2 MUS 21214 CLASS COMPOSITION II 2 MUS 31113 MUSIC PRODUCTION III 3 MUS 31114 MUSIC PRODUCTION IV 3 MUS 41113 MUSIC PRODUCTION V 3 MUS 41114 MUSIC PRODUCTION VI 3 MUS 41181 ACOUSTICS AND TECHNOLOGY IN MUSIC 2 MUS 41255 MUSIC PRODUCTION SEMINAR 1 Applied Studio Musicianship, choose from the following: 1,2 4 MUS 36913APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36914ELECTRIC GUITAR APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36915ELECTRIC BASS APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36916DRUM SET PERCUSSION APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36917KEYBOARD APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36918CONTEMPORARY VOICE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36919FLUTE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36920CLARINET APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36921SAXOPHONE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36922TRUMPET APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36923HORN APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36924TROMBONE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP Minimum Total Credit Hours: 23 - 1
Applied studio musicianship (four semesters and 8 credit hours): Students must pass the Sophomore Proficiency Threshold after two semesters and the Senior Proficiency Threshold for graduation.
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Students who choose to complete more than one concentration may apply Applied Studio Musicianship hours toward all concentrations.
Performance Concentration Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) (min C grade required in all courses) MUS 41250 LIVE SOUND PRODUCTION 2 Applied Studio Musicianship, choose from the following: 1,2 16 MUS 36913APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36914ELECTRIC GUITAR APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36915ELECTRIC BASS APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36916DRUM SET PERCUSSION APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36917KEYBOARD APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36918CONTEMPORARY VOICE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36919FLUTE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36920CLARINET APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36921SAXOPHONE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36922TRUMPET APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36923HORN APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP MUS 36924TROMBONE APPLIED STUDIO MUSICIANSHIP Concentration Electives, choose from the following: 5 MUS 20295SPECIAL TOPICS IN MUSIC 3 MUS 31113MUSIC PRODUCTION III MUS 31114MUSIC PRODUCTION IV MUS 31221AUDIO RECORDING III MUS 31222AUDIO RECORDING IV MUS 31230GUITAR TECHNOLOGY MUS 31260VOCAL PERFORMANCE TECHNIQUES MUS 41341JAZZ IMPROVISATION I Minimum Total Credit Hours: 23 - 1
Students must take four semesters of 4 credit hours of Applied Studio Musicianship courses. Students must meet the Senior ASM Proficiency Threshold and complete one full senior recital and register for applied music courses during a degree recital semester.
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Students who choose to complete more than one concentration may apply Applied Studio Musicianship hours toward all concentrations.
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Integrated study and special topic courses may be applied toward concentration electives with approval.
Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements Summary Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA 2.250 2.000 - Minimum C grade required in all music (MUS) courses
- Minimum eight semesters of major ensemble courses and six semesters of applied studio musicianship and applied music courses. Applied music courses are available during the summer on selected instruments. Composition may also be taken during the summer.
- Attendance at minimum 84 concerts or recitals for students who begin the program as first-semester freshmen (students who transferred from a non-music program or university must attend an average of 10 music concerts or recitals for semesters of full-time enrollment)
- Students pursuing the Audio Recording and Music Production concentration simultaneously can take the Audio Recording and Music Production III, IV, V, and VI classes concurrently.
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Roadmaps
Roadmaps
Audio Recording Concentration
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
Plan of Study Grid Semester One Credits CS 10051 COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES (KMCR) 4 ! MUS 11121 THEORY I 4 ! MUS 21113 MUSIC PRODUCTION I 3 UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1 ! Applied Studio Musicianship 2 ! Major Ensemble 1 ! Piano Class or Applied Music Piano 1-2 Credit Hours 16 Semester Two MUS 11122 THEORY II 4 MUS 21221 AUDIO RECORDING I 3 Applied Studio Musicianship 2 Major Ensemble 1 Piano Class or Applied Music Piano 0-1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 14 Semester Three MUS 21222 AUDIO RECORDING II 3 MUS 21341 CONTEMPORARY POPULAR MUSIC THEORY 3 MUS 22111 UNDERSTANDING WESTERN MUSIC (KFA) 3 Applied Studio Musicianship 2 Major Ensemble 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 15 Semester Four ! MUS 21114 MUSIC PRODUCTION II 3 MUS 22121 MUSIC AS A WORLD PHENOMENON (DIVG) (KFA) 3 MUS 32230 NAVIGATING THE MUSIC INDUSTRY 3 ! Applied Studio Musicianship 2 ! Major Ensemble 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 15 Semester Five ! MUS 31221 AUDIO RECORDING III 3 ! MUS 32211 or MUS 42131
or MUS 42161WESTERN MUSIC HISTORY I or MUSIC OF THE UNITED STATES
or HISTORY OF JAZZ (DIVD)3 MUS 41250 LIVE SOUND PRODUCTION 2 Applied Studio Musicianship 2 ! Major Ensemble 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 14 Semester Six ! MUS 31222 AUDIO RECORDING IV 3 ! MUS 41181 ACOUSTICS AND TECHNOLOGY IN MUSIC 2 ! MUS 41240 AUDIO ELECTRONICS I 3 ! Applied Studio Musicianship 2 ! Major Ensemble 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 17 Semester Seven BUS 10123 or ENTR 27056
or MGMT 24163EXPLORING BUSINESS or INTRODUCTION TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP
or PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT3 MUS 41221 AUDIO RECORDING V 3 MUS 42165 HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY POPULAR MUSIC (DIVD) (WIC) 3 Major Ensemble 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 16 Semester Eight ! MUS 40092 MUSIC TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP (ELR) 2 ! MUS 41222 AUDIO RECORDING VI 3 ! Major Ensemble 1 Music (MUS) Elective 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 General Elective 1 Credit Hours 13 Minimum Total Credit Hours: 120 Music Production Concentration
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
Plan of Study Grid Semester One Credits ! CS 10051 COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES (KMCR) 4 ! MUS 11121 THEORY I 4 ! MUS 21113 MUSIC PRODUCTION I 3 UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1 ! Applied Studio Musicianship 2 ! Major Ensemble 1 ! Piano Class or Applied Music Piano 1-2 Credit Hours 16 Semester Two ! MUS 11122 THEORY II 4 ! MUS 21221 AUDIO RECORDING I 3 ! Applied Studio Musicianship 2 ! Major Ensemble 1 ! Piano Class or Applied Music Piano 0-1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 14 Semester Three ! MUS 21222 AUDIO RECORDING II 3 ! MUS 21341 CONTEMPORARY POPULAR MUSIC THEORY 3 MUS 22111 UNDERSTANDING WESTERN MUSIC (KFA) (music major section) 3 ! Applied Studio Musicianship 2 ! Major Ensemble 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 15 Semester Four ! MUS 21114 MUSIC PRODUCTION II 3 MUS 22121 MUSIC AS A WORLD PHENOMENON (DIVG) (KFA) (music major section) 3 MUS 32230 NAVIGATING THE MUSIC INDUSTRY 3 ! Applied Studio Musicianship 2 ! Major Ensemble 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 15 Semester Five ! MUS 21213 CLASS COMPOSITION I 2 ! MUS 31113 MUSIC PRODUCTION III 3 ! MUS 32211 or MUS 42131
or MUS 42161WESTERN MUSIC HISTORY I or MUSIC OF THE UNITED STATES
or HISTORY OF JAZZ (DIVD)3 ! Applied Studio Musicianship 2 Major Ensemble 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 14 Semester Six ! MUS 21214 CLASS COMPOSITION II 2 ! MUS 31114 MUSIC PRODUCTION IV 3 ! MUS 41181 ACOUSTICS AND TECHNOLOGY IN MUSIC 2 ! Applied Studio Musicianship 2 ! Major Ensemble 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 16 Semester Seven BUS 10123 or ENTR 27056
or MGMT 24163EXPLORING BUSINESS or INTRODUCTION TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP
or PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT3 ! MUS 41113 MUSIC PRODUCTION V 3 ! MUS 41255 MUSIC PRODUCTION SEMINAR 1 ! MUS 42165 HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY POPULAR MUSIC (DIVD) (WIC) 3 ! Major Ensemble 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 17 Semester Eight ! MUS 40092 MUSIC TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP (ELR) 2 ! MUS 41114 MUSIC PRODUCTION VI 3 ! Major Ensemble 1 Music (MUS) Elective 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 General Elective 1 Credit Hours 13 Minimum Total Credit Hours: 120 Performance Concentration
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
Plan of Study Grid Semester One Credits CS 10051 COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES (KMCR) 4 ! MUS 11121 THEORY I 4 ! MUS 21113 MUSIC PRODUCTION I 3 UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1 ! Applied Studio Musicianship 2 ! Major Ensemble 1 ! Piano Class or Applied Music Piano 1-2 Credit Hours 16 Semester Two ! MUS 11122 THEORY II 4 MUS 21221 AUDIO RECORDING I 3 Applied Studio Musicianship 2 ! Major Ensemble 1 ! Piano Class or Applied Music Piano 0-1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 14 Semester Three ! MUS 21222 AUDIO RECORDING II 3 ! MUS 21341 CONTEMPORARY POPULAR MUSIC THEORY 3 MUS 22111 UNDERSTANDING WESTERN MUSIC (KFA) 3 ! Applied Studio Musicianship 2 ! Major Ensemble 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 15 Semester Four ! MUS 21114 MUSIC PRODUCTION II 3 MUS 22121 MUSIC AS A WORLD PHENOMENON (DIVG) (KFA) 3 MUS 32230 NAVIGATING THE MUSIC INDUSTRY 3 ! Applied Studio Musicianship 2 ! Major Ensemble 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 15 Semester Five ! MUS 32211 or MUS 42131
or MUS 42161WESTERN MUSIC HISTORY I or MUSIC OF THE UNITED STATES
or HISTORY OF JAZZ (DIVD)3 MUS 41250 LIVE SOUND PRODUCTION 2 Applied Studio Musicianship 4 ! Major Ensemble 1 Concentration Elective 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 14 Semester Six Applied Studio Musicianship 4 ! Major Ensemble 1 Concentration Elective 2 Kent Core Requirement 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 13 Semester Seven BUS 10123 or ENTR 27056
or MGMT 24163EXPLORING BUSINESS or INTRODUCTION TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP
or PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT3 MUS 42165 HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY POPULAR MUSIC (DIVD) (WIC) 3 ! Applied Studio Musicianship 4 ! Major Ensemble 1 Concentration Elective 2 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 16 Semester Eight MUS 40092 MUSIC TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP (ELR) 2 ! Applied Studio Musicianship 4 ! Major Ensemble 1 Music (MUS) Elective 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 General Elective 1 Credit Hours 17 Minimum Total Credit Hours: 120 -
Program Delivery
- Delivery:
- In person
- Location:
- Stark Campus
- Delivery:
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Accreditation
for Music Technology - B.S.
The B.S. degree in Music Technology is approved by the National Association of Schools of Music.
Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Music Technology - B.S.
Graduates of ºÚÁÏÍø's Bachelor of Science in Music Technology are prepared for various careers in the music industry, including roles in management, consulting, and specialized fields.
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Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
5.6%
faster than the average
116,300
number of jobs
$69,690
potential earnings
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Music directors and composers
1.7%
slower than the average
58,000
number of jobs
$52,250
potential earnings
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Sound engineering technicians
6.0%
faster than the average
15,800
number of jobs
$53,520
potential earnings
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Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' . Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.