Admission to the Program

Formal admission to the program requires a grade point average of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) and departmental approval. 

University Requirements

• A total of 120 credit hours 
• 6 credit hours of college writing 
• 3 credit hours of college mathematics or the equivalent by examination 

General Education Requirements

• A total of ten courses, consisting of one foundation course and one second-level course in an approved sequence from each of five curricular areas 
• No more than 6 credit hours may be taken in the same discipline 

Major Requirements

• 59 credit hours with grades of C or better 

Course Requirements

Core Courses (32-37 credit hours)

• ATEC-101 Fundamentals of Audio Technology (3) 
• ATEC-102 Audio Technology Laboratory (1) 
• ATEC-301 Digital Audio Workstations I (3) 
• ATEC-311 Sound Studio Techniques I (3) 
• ATEC-321 Sound Synthesis I (3) 
• ATEC-401 Digital Audio Workstations II (3) 
• ATEC-403 Production Mixing and Mastering (3) 
• ATEC-411 Sound Studio Techniques II (3) 
• ATEC-421 Sound Synthesis II (3) 
• ATEC-431 Studio Management (3) 
• ATEC-441 Business of the Audio Industry (3) 
• ATEC-450 Audio Technology Capstone (1–6) 

Electives (12 credit hours)

• 12 credit hours from the following or other courses with the approval of the department: 

ATEC-491 Internship (1-6) 

PHYS-305 Acoustics (3) 

PHYS-312 Electronics I (3) and
PHYS-322 Electronics I Lab I (2) 

PHYS-313 Electronics II (3) and
PHYS-323 Electronics II Lab (2) 

Area of Specialization (15 credit hours)

• an additional 15 credit hours from an area of specialization, either communication or music: 

Communication 

COMM-100 Understanding Media 4:1 (3) 

COMM-105 Visual Literacy 1:1 (3) 

COMM-330 Principles of Photography (3) 

COMM-331 Film and Video Production I (3) 

COMM-350 Digital Imaging (3) 

COMM-352 Web Studio (3) 

COMM-434 Film and Video Production II (3) 

COMM-438 Production Practicum (1-3):
Creative Sound Techniques
Techniques and Aesthetics of Editing
Final Cut Pro
Avid Editing
Web Development
Introduction to Gaming 

Music 

PERF-124 Harmony I (3) 

PERF-125 Harmony II (3) 

PERF-227 Musicianship I (3) 

PERF-228 Musicianship II (3) 

PERF-320 History of Rock Music (3) 

PERF-321 Evolution of Jazz and Blues (3) 

PERF-322 Music History I (3) 

PERF-323 Music History II (3) 

PERF-324 Form and Analysis (3) 

PERF-325 Counterpoint (3) 

University Honors Program

All University Honors students must complete at least 12 credit hours of advanced-level (300-level and above) Honors courses including a 3 to 6 credit hour Honors Senior Capstone Project. Students may graduate with University Honors in the major if they complete at least 12 advanced-level Honors courses including the Senior Capstone Project in the department. Each department has three levels of University Honors requirements: Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes); Level II Options (300-level and above Honors classes); and Level III Options (Honors Senior Capstone). The department Honors coordinator advises students in the University Honors Program regarding departmental options. For more information, go to www.american.edu/academic.depts/honors/ . 

Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its accelerated bachelor’s/master’s programs. Undergraduate students may complete up to 3 credits for every 9 credits required for the graduate degree that may be applied to the requirements for both degree programs.  The department that oversees the graduate program the student enters will determine if the courses the undergraduate student completes will satisfy master’s degree requirements. 

Bachelor’s/master’s students must complete at least 18 in-residence credit hours at the graduate level after the bachelor’s degree is earned and  maintain continuous, sequential enrollment in the two programs. Students must finish the master’s degree requirements within three years from the date of first enrollment in the master’s program.