Recording Arts and Technologies, M.F.A.
Program Overview
Introduction to the Master of Fine Arts in Recording Arts and Technologies
The Master of Fine Arts in Recording Arts and Technologies is a comprehensive program offered by the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment at Middle Tennessee State University. This program is designed to provide advanced training in audio production, recording, and integrated electronic media, fostering creativity and technical expertise in students.
Program Overview
The Master of Fine Arts program requires the completion of 60 semester hours and is typically completed in six semesters. The curriculum includes a strong foundation in audio production, theoretical concepts, and the latest advancements in software and hardware. Students produce a diverse range of technical and artistic projects, culminating in a final project of professional caliber. The program also prepares select graduates to teach at the postsecondary level in the field of audio recording and production.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Master of Fine Arts program in Recording Arts and Technologies requires:
- An earned bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college.
- Undergraduate preparation or significant professional experience appropriate to the graduate curriculum and a minimum overall grade point average of 3.00 in all courses attempted, excluding repeated courses.
- A creative portfolio demonstrating experience in audio, music, music technology, composition, performance, video, or other areas involving digital media.
Application Procedures
All application materials must be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies, except for the creative portfolio, which should be sent directly to the M.F.A. Director in the Department of Recording Industry. The application includes:
- Application with the appropriate application fee.
- Official scores on the GRE.
- Official transcripts of all previous college work.
- A formal statement of purpose addressing career goals, related work experience, and how this degree will help attain the stated career goals.
- Two letters of recommendation for graduate study, one from the undergraduate major advisor if the student is a recent graduate.
- Creative portfolio.
Curriculum
The Master of Fine Arts in Recording Arts and Technologies requires completion of 60 semester hours, including:
- Required Courses (48 hours):
- MRAT 6030 - Virtual Instruments and Sound Synthesis
- MRAT 6040 - Digital Audio Studio Seminar
- MRAT 6050 - Multitrack Recording Seminar
- MRAT 6070 - Visual Aesthetics and Technology I
- MRAT 6090 - Visual Aesthetics and Technology II
- MRAT 6110 - Production Seminar I
- MRAT 6120 - Sound for Visual Media
- MRAT 6130 - Production Seminar II
- MRAT 6140 - Graduate Seminar in Audio Recording
- MRAT 6145 - Seminar in Advanced Mixing Techniques
- MRAT 6150 - Legal Rights of the Creative Individual
- MRAT 6170 - The Art of Critical Listening
- MRAT 6210 - Production Seminar III
- MRAT 6650 - Final Project (9 credit hours required)
- Electives (12 hours): Students must complete 12 hours of electives, which can be taken in any semester, including summer terms. Guided electives are normally selected from recording arts and technologies courses, but up to 6 hours of guided electives may be from other departments upon permission of the student's advisor.
Careers
The Master of Fine Arts in Recording Arts and Technologies helps foster and develop creativity and trains students in technology for advanced work in audio/music engineering or related fields that could be described as "entertainment technology." Graduates can use the degree program to excel in professional pursuits such as:
- Audio post-production engineer
- Audio studio design and installation
- Broadcast audio
- Independent audio contractor
- Live sound engineer
- Manufacturer audio product specialist
- Mastering engineer
- Media specialist
- Recording studio engineer
- Recording studio manager
- Retail audio sales
- Sound design for film/video
- University professor
Employers of MTSU Alumni
Employers of MTSU alumni include:
- Alabama State University
- Asbury University
- Avid
- Belmont University
- Brickhouse Records
- Butler University
- Clair Brothers
- CNN
- GC Pro
- Hope College
- Jeff Slaughter Ministries
- Middle Tennessee State University
- National Public Radio (NPR)
- New England School of Communications
- Old Dominion University
- Rensselaer Polytech
- Sweetwater
- Tennessee Digital Video
- Top Track Recording
- Truphonic Recording Studios
- Yamaha Corporation of America
Faculty
The faculty of the Department of Recording Industry includes:
- William Crabtree, Director
- Dr. Joseph Akins, Professor
- Frank Baird, Associate Professor
- Cosette Collier, Professor
- Dr. Trevor de Clercq, Professor
- Frank Dremel, Assistant Professor
- Michael Fleming, Professor
- Matt Foglia, Professor
- Professor Maurício Gargel, Assistant Professor
- Michael Hanson, Associate Professor
- John Merchant, Professor
- Misty Jones Simpson, Associate Professor
- Dr. Deborah L. Wagnon, Professor
Information
For more information about the Master of Fine Arts in Recording Arts and Technologies, please refer to the program's official resources.