College of the Arts
School of Music
www.kent.edu/music

About This Program

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. Read more...

Contact Information

• Program Coordinator: Sebastian Birch | sbirch@kent.edu | 330-244-3359
• Speak with an Advisor
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Stark Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

Accreditation

The B.S. degree in Music Technology is approved by the National Association of Schools of Music.

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. 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.}

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.

For more information on admissions, including additional requirements for some academic programs, visit the admissions website for new freshmen and the admissions website for transfer, transitioning and former students.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency unless they meet specific exceptions. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

²

Major ensemble (8 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 45231 and MUS 25311 for students whose instrument is guitar) as approved by faculty.

³

Applied Studio Musicianship and Applied Music (4 semesters and 8 credit hours): Students must take at least 4 credit hours at 2 credits per semester of Applied Music (MUS 26xxx or MUS 36xxx) and meet Applied Music 36000 entry-level. Students may complete the other 4 credit hours by taking either Applied Music (MUS 36111-MUS 36912) or Applied Studio Musicianship (ASM) to meet graduation requirements. Students must also meet the 46000-entry-level requirement in either Applied Music or in  Applied Studio Musicianship for graduation.

⁴

Students who enter at the 36000 level need 2 semesters and 4 credit hours of MUS 36xxx Applied Music and 2 semesters and 4 credit hours of either MUS 36xxx Applied Music or Applied Studio Musicianship.

⁵

Students register for MUS 36913 for all other popular music instruments not listed.

⁶

Electric Guitar and Electric Bass students, based upon the audition, can be placed in either MUS 16914 or MUS 16915. Upon successful completion of two semesters of MUS 16914/MUS 16915 students continue with applied study as indicated in footnote 3.

⁷

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

¹

Applied Studio Musicianship and Applied Music (4 semesters and 8 credit hours): Students must take at least 4 credit hours at 2 credits per semester of Applied Music (MUS 26xxx or MUS 36xxx) and meet Applied Music 36000 entry-level. Students may complete the other 4 credit hours by taking either Applied Music (MUS 36111-MUS 36912) or Applied Studio Musicianship (ASM) to meet graduation requirements. Students must also meet the 46000-entry-level requirement in either Applied Music or in  Applied Studio Musicianship for graduation.

²

Students must also meet the 46000-entry-level requirement in either Applied Music or in Applied Studio Musicianship for graduation.

Music Production Concentration Requirements

¹

Applied Studio Musicianship and Applied Music (4 semesters and 8 credit hours): Students must take at least 4 credit hours at 2 credits per semester of Applied Music (MUS 26xxx or MUS 36xxx) and meet Applied Music 36000 entry-level. Students may complete the other 4 credit hours by taking either Applied Music (MUS 36111-MUS 36912) or Applied Studio Musicianship (ASM) to meet graduation requirements. Students must also meet the 46000-entry-level requirement in either Applied Music or in  Applied Studio Musicianship for graduation.

²

Students must also meet the 46000-entry-level requirement in either Applied Music or in Applied Studio Musicianship for graduation.

Performance Concentration Requirements

¹

Student must take four semesters of four credits of applied studies musicianship courses. Students must meet the 46000 ASM Threshold and must complete one-half junior and one full senior recital and register for applied music courses during a degree recital semester.

²

Integrated Study and Special Topics courses may be included with approval.

Graduation Requirements

• 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 in the summer on selected instruments. Composition may also be taken in 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 in Audio Recording and Music Production concentration simultaneously can take the Audio Recording and Music Production III, IV, V and VI classes concurrently.
• MUS 11110, MUS 11111, MUS 16914 and MUS 16915 will not count as credit for graduation in this program

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.

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.

 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.

University Requirements

All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.

NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.

Kent Core Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Function as competent and versatile professional studio musicians who perform in diverse commercial music venues.
2. Compose and arrange music.
3. Create appropriate sound for visual media.
4. Create music productions of professional quality.
5. Produce professional audio recordings, both live and in studio, from start to finish.

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 will 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 to have the necessary technological tools to succeed in the modern music industry.