►  Graduate School Rules  apply to this program.  

Program Overview

Recording arts is a field that deals with all aspects of recorded music and sound, including mixing, mastering, production, MIDI sequencing, live sound reinforcement, and post-production for film and video. The program refines students’ skills in sound recording, aesthetics, multi-track recording, analog and digital signal processing, automated mixing, synchronization, stereo and surround imaging, mastering and post-production.

The Master of Science in Recording Arts (MSRA) has the only pedagogy track in the nation. Pedagogy is synonymous with teaching, and the MSRA includes a survey of available resources for audio education. The curriculum offers an interdisciplinary approach, which can include physics, acoustics, engineering, music recording, psychoacoustics, multimedia, theatre and film/video. The program emphasizes design and development of new methods and materials.

This graduate degree is designed to:

• prepare students for audio careers in mass communications, education, music, multimedia and the entertainment industries.
• enhance advancement of professionals in their careers.
• prepare the music educators of the future.

In their final semester, students will create and defend a thesis or a portfolio.

• Thesis – Written research
• Portfolio – Research in conjunction with a recorded work.This could be a music recording, audio for video, or other media.

Graduate courses comprising the core of the program advance students’ artistic, pedagogical, technical and problem-solving abilities. Elective courses allow each student to develop additional skills and knowledge in related areas, including surround sound, acoustics, studio design, digital signal processing and others.

The Department of Music & Entertainment Industry Studies encourages students from allied disciplines (music, physics, engineering, etc.) to apply. Students are not required to have their bachelor’s in recording arts; the bachelor’s degree can be from any discipline. Applicants can qualify for the MSRA program by having equivalent level preparation (e.g., work experience). Candidates without sufficient experience/training in recording arts may be required to take preparatory courses at the undergraduate level.

Note: The application process and requirements for the MSRA program differ from those listed for the media forensics emphasis .

MSRA Application Components

Admission to the MSRA program is competitive. Applications are accepted for fall-only admission to the cohort. Admission decisions are made by committee and are based on the entirety of the applicant’s submitted materials. Incomplete applications are not considered, and application requirements may vary between domestic and international students.

• Graduate Application for Admission
• In-State Tuition Classification Application (if applicable)
• Application Fee
• Entrance Examinations: GRE (and TOEFL/IELTS or other evidence of English proficiency, if applicable)
• Official Transcripts
• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
• Application Essay
• Resume
• Portfolio

Applications that do not include all of the requirements or that include partial components are considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.

International applicants are encouraged to visit the Office of International Admissions website for detailed information.

Refer to the MSRA website for deadlines, detailed information and updates regarding the application process and requirements.