Top Music Production Colleges in the U.S.

From the studio to the live set, degrees in music production offer a diverse course load. You'll find classes regarding songwriting, music history, synthesis, and most importantly, practical experience in music production and sound engineering. The schools listed below and their respective undergraduate music production programs offer a wide variety of courses and provide students with essential hands-on experience.

What's Involved in an Associate's Degree in Music Production?

While not as extensive as a four year degree, an associate's degree in music production still provides students with the fundamentals necessary for an entry-level job in the industry. Perhaps the most common degree is the A.A.S. (Associate of Applied Science), but Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees are also available. Students will experience an eclectic course load, ranging from song writing to music business to advanced studio recording. They learn about many aspects of music production, from sound design to mixing and mastering. Internships may be part of the degree requirements.

What Schools Offer an Associate's Degree in Music Production?

There are several choices out there for a student pursuing their associate's degree in music production. Below are a couple of great options:

• The Community College of Philadelphia offers an A.A.S. in Sound Recording and Music Technology
• The University of Central Oklahoma has an A.A.S program in Contemporary Music Production
• At Daytona State College, students can pursue an A.S. in Music Production Technology

What's Involved in a Bachelor's Degree in Music Production?

A bachelor's degree dives deeper into the artistic and technical bases of music production. Hands-on experience in a studio or live setting is emphasized in many programs. In addition to the foundations of music production, you will be exposed to the business aspect of the music industry, making for a well-rounded education. From synthesis to DAW (digital audio workstation) to keyboard basics, students will experience music production in its simplest form to its most advanced. Internships are usually required to complete a bachelor's degree.

What Schools Offer a Bachelor's Degree in Music Production?

There is no shortage of bachelor's degree programs in music production for prospective students in the United States. Here are a few schools that offer robust programs:

• Georgia State University offers a Bachelor of Music in Music Technology
• At Columbia College - Chicago, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Audio Design and Production
• Los Angeles College of Music has a Bachelor of Music in Music Producing & Recording

What are the Admission Requirements for Undergraduate Music Production Programs?

Depending on the degree plan and the university, admission requirements can vary. However, prospective students can almost always expect an audition/submission to be part of the application process for a music production program. It's quite beneficial if you have a background in music. Whether you play an instrument or you can read music, experience with music in any form will only help your case. Music production programs may also require a music theory exam to test your skills on the subject.

What Can I Do With an Undergraduate Degree in Music Production?

There are several avenues one can take with a degree in music production. However, most career paths are on the more technical side and, of course, involve music. Here are just a handful of the careers available to music production graduates:

• Recording Engineer
• Sound Designer
• Record Mastering
• Live Sound Engineer
• Music Producer