Video Game Production: Audio and Music

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Video Game Production: Audio and Music provides students with the introductory skills in audio and music for video games. Coursework focuses on the music aspects of Video Game Production. An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Video Game Production is available. Certificates of Completion (CCL) are also available in Video Game Production: Game Art, Video Game Production: Coding and Scripting, and Video Game Production: Narrative.

Details

Field of Interest
Computer and Information Technology
Academic Plan Code
5130
Total credits required
30
Catalog Year
2026 - 2027

Courses within any of the following prefixes must be taken within five (5) years prior to completion of the program to be applied toward this award: AIM, BPC, CIS, CLD, CNT, CSC, ITS, and MST.

What You'll Learn
  1. Analyze the electronic game industry, including history, markets, distribution, publishing channels, business models, team roles, and career landscape.
  2. Analyze commonly used game components and mechanics.
  3. Manage game development project resources, budgets, goals, and tasks.
  4. Evaluate software and hardware used for game design, development, and production.
  5. Apply audio design concepts in the creation of interactive applications.
  6. Create planning materials such as compositions, audio files, audio recordings, and design documents.
  7. Create a variety of audio and music resources.
  8. Apply audio and music planning materials and media resources to a cohesive game experience.
  9. Demonstrate effective written, oral, visual, and interpersonal communication skills.
  10. Collaborate in a culturally responsive manner in a team environment.
  11. Engage in ethical personal and professional creative practices, in accordance with audio and music industry standards.
  12. Examine the implications of cultural values, individual beliefs, and biases as applied to sound design and music composition.
  13. Create a portfolio of work.
Career Statistics

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Sound Engineering Technicians
$52,310
Special Effects Artists and Animators
$56,690
Video Game Designers
$67,220

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC100 Introduction to Digital Arts 1
CIS105 Survey of Computer Information Systems CS 3
MUC122 Sound Design I 3
CRW176 Writing Narrative for Video Games 3
MUC195 Studio Music Recording I 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CIS151 Computer Game Development -Level I 3
MUC222 Sound Design II 3
MUC191 Electronic Music I CS 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC111 or
MUC192		 Digital Audio Workstation I (DAW I) or Electronic Music II CS or None 3
MUC292 Sound Design III 3
VGP298AB Special Projects 2

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC100 Introduction to Digital Arts 1
CIS105 Survey of Computer Information Systems CS 3
MUC122 Sound Design I 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC195 Studio Music Recording I 3
CIS151 Computer Game Development -Level I 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC191 Electronic Music I CS 3
MUC222 Sound Design II 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CRW176 Writing Narrative for Video Games 3
MUC111 or
MUC192		 Digital Audio Workstation I (DAW I) or Electronic Music II CS or None 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC292 Sound Design III 3
VGP298AB Special Projects 2

Courses Not Currently Offered

Glendale Community College does not currently offer these courses. These courses may be offered by other Maricopa Community Colleges as indicated below. Select the link to view current availability and whether courses are offered in person, online, or in a hybrid format. Tuition rates are the same across Maricopa Community Colleges, but course fees may vary.

Courses listed in this pathway map that are not currently offered at Glendale Community College
Course Number Course Name Offering Colleges
CRW176 Writing Narrative for Video Games Chandler-Gilbert, Paradise Valley
VGP298AB Special Projects Mesa, Paradise Valley
Course Area Key
  • CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
Official Curriculum Documentation
View catalog page
Catalog page: https://gccaz.catalog.maricopa.edu/programs/5130-GCC02
Disclaimer

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Video Game Production: Audio and Sound