Music Production and Recording Arts, B.S.
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Program Description
The program is designed to prepare students for careers in the music professions and related media industries with an emphasis on music production, recording engineering, electronic music synthesis and music composition and sound design for visual media. Additional courses in music performance, concert sound and audio system design and installation are offered as electives.
Students are encouraged to take courses in related fields such as game development, animation and video production to expand career possibilities and better understand the industries that employ audio and music specialists.
Program Information
Justin Kessler, M.M., Program Director
(914) 674-7162
jkessler1@mercy.edu
Bachelor of Science: Music Production and Recording Arts
General Education Requirements* | 42 credits |
Major Concentration | 60 credits |
Open Electives | 18 credits |
Total Credits | 120 credits |
*Per New York State Education Department requirements, all students enrolled in a Bachelor of Science program must successfully complete 60 credits of Liberal Arts and Sciences coursework. If needed, students should use Open Elective credits to fulfill these requirements, beyond their General Education courses, and look for courses with the “LA” attribute when registering.
Additional Program Information
Admission Requirements
In addition to applying for general admission to the University, prospective students must complete a separate application for formal acceptance to the Music Production & Recording Arts Program. The application should include a portfolio of three items:
A short cellphone video (1-minute long is ideal) showing how the applicant makes music—such as playing an instrument, deejaying, singing, or writing music at the computer
An MP3 of a finished song or other recording that demonstrates the applicant’s musical and/or production abilities.
A detailed written description of the specific tools and techniques the applicant used in creating the song or recording
General Requirements
Upon admission, students must demonstrate a fundamental understanding of music notation, OR complete course - Elmts Music/Develp Musicianshp in their first semester, before enrolling in the required course - Theory & Musicianship I.
Students must achieve a minimum grade of C in any major course for it to apply towards the degree.
Students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 in all attempted and completed major courses. If the GPA in the major is less than 2.5, the student will be subject to a formal assessment of their aptitude for the subject matter and standing in the program and may be dismissed from the major.
Students may be required to repeat or take additional courses to achieve the required GPA.
There is a 24-credit residency requirement for the concentration in Music Production and Recording Arts. In addition, a minimum of 9 credits in 300-level program electives must be taken at the Dobbs Ferry campus.
Students should enroll in course, course, and course, their first fall semester.
Students may substitute a Major Requirement with an approved advanced Major elective with department approval.
Students pursuing the Bachelors of Science in Music Production and Recording Arts must be able to meet the following requirements to successfully complete the degree.
Possess sufficient dexterity and fine motor skills to effectively connect and operate audio and music technology equipment and associated computer peripherals.
Possess sufficient dexterity and fine motor skills to play chords and scales on a piano keyboard.
Possess sufficient binaural hearing capabilities for critical listening, editing and mixing.
Possess sufficient vision to set-up and operate audio equipment found in a recording studio environment.