Audio Production Technologies

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Audio Production Technologies offers students hands-on study of audio engineering and related media fields. Students learn and apply the concepts and theories associated with music recording, live sound reinforcement, and sound design. The program is designed to give students foundational knowledge and experience essential in the field of audio production. An embedded Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Audio Production Technologies is also available.

Details

Field of Interest
Visual and Performing Arts
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Audio Production Technologies (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3024
Total credits required
62-71
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Utilize appropriate campus resources, tools, and opportunities to support building connections and achieving individual educational goals.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of music and sound.
  3. Apply audio engineering and/or sound design techniques using current industry standard technologies.
  4. Demonstrate effective written, oral, visual, interpersonal and collaborative skills to build relationships and network with diverse clients, colleagues, and organizations.
  5. Employ basic computer literacy skills to general and audio-specific applications.
  6. Demonstrate the initiative and ability to adapt to new technologies.
  7. Demonstrate effective troubleshooting methods in a variety of contexts.
  8. Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethics, relevant intellectual property laws, rights management, publishing, licensing, and contracts.
  9. Critically analyze media for their social, cultural, aesthetic, and historical significance.
  10. Using a fundamental understanding of scientific inquiry, solve problems within the discipline.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based annual median wages* for this program. 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.

* Wage information sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2022.

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 Pathway Planner 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.
  • Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

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
MTC101 Introduction to Music Theory Critical course Gateway course 3
MUC191 Electronic Music I 3
MUC195 or
MUC195AA
Studio Music Recording I or Studio Music Recording I 3
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication COM110 is recommended SB or L 3
FYE101 or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC111 Digital Audio Workstation I (DAW I) 3
MUC192 Electronic Music II 3
MUC196 or
MUC196AA
Studio Music Recording II or Studio Music Recording II 3
MUC197 Live Sound Reinforcement I 3
ENG102 or
ENG108 or
ENG111
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL or Technical and Professional Writing FYC or L 3
CRE101 or
RE
College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking or Restricted Electives OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment or In consultation with Program Advisor L 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC109 Music Business: Content Creation and Copyright 3
MUC194 Audio Mixing Techniques 3
Mathematics Mathematics area Any approved general education course from the Mathematics area.
Students who intend to transfer must take MAT14+
3–6
CRE101 or
RE
College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking or Restricted Electives In consultation with Program Advisor L 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC110 or
MUC145
Music Business: Marketing and Monetization or Recording Studio Business Operations 2–3
MUC297AA or
MUC296WA or
MUC298AA
Audio Production Internship or Cooperative Education or Special Projects 1
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design MHL140 or MHL145 or MHL153 are recommended HU 3
SG or
SQ
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences PSY101 is recommended SB 3
RE Restricted Electives In consultation with Program Advisor 3

Restricted Electives

Students must select a total of nine (9) credits from the list below in consultation with an academic advisor.
NOTE: at least one (1) of the following courses must be completed: MTC291, MUC289, MUC292, or MUC295.

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC193 Computer-Based Sound Synthesis 3
MUC281 Electronic Music III 3
MUC112 Digital Audio Workstation II (DAW II) 3
MUC122 Sound Design I 3
MUC198 Live Sound Reinforcement II 3
MUC222 Sound Design II 3
MUC289 Live Sound Reinforcement III 3
MUC292 Sound Design III 3
MUC295 Studio Music Recording III 3

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
MUC191 Electronic Music I 3
MUC195 or
MUC195AA
Studio Music Recording I or Studio Music Recording I 3
FYE101 or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MTC101 Introduction to Music Theory Critical course Gateway course 3
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication COM110 is recommended SB or L 3
ENG102 or
ENG108 or
ENG111
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL or Technical and Professional Writing FYC or L 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC192 Electronic Music II 3
MUC197 Live Sound Reinforcement I 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC111 Digital Audio Workstation I (DAW I) 3
MUC196 or
MUC196AA
Studio Music Recording II or Studio Music Recording II 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC109 Music Business: Content Creation and Copyright 3
RE Restricted Electives In consultation with Program Advisor 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design MHL140 or MHL145 or MHL153 are recommended HU 3
RE Restricted Electives In consultation with Program Advisor 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC194 Audio Mixing Techniques 3
Mathematics Mathematics area Any approved general education course from the Mathematics area.
Students who intend to transfer must take MAT14+
3–6

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC110 or
MUC145
Music Business: Marketing and Monetization or Recording Studio Business Operations 2–3
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences PSY101 is recommended SB 3

Term 10

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 10
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
RE Restricted Electives In consultation with Program Advisor 3
MUC297AA or
MUC296WA or
MUC298AA
Audio Production Internship or Cooperative Education or Special Projects 1
SG or
SQ
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4

Restricted Electives

Students must select a total of nine (9) credits from the list below in consultation with an academic advisor.
NOTE: at least one (1) of the following courses must be completed: MTC291, MUC289, MUC292, or MUC295.

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MUC193 Computer-Based Sound Synthesis 3
MUC281 Electronic Music III 3
MUC112 Digital Audio Workstation II (DAW II) 3
MUC122 Sound Design I 3
MUC198 Live Sound Reinforcement II 3
MUC222 Sound Design II 3
MUC289 Live Sound Reinforcement III 3
MUC292 Sound Design III 3
MUC295 Studio Music Recording III 3
Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=182599).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.