Bachelor of Arts in Music Technology

Shape the Sound of Tomorrow

The BA in Music Technology combines creative arts with emergent technology, preparing you for a dynamic career in the music industry.

Whether you want to be a producer, engineer, songwriter, sound artist, or electronic musician, this program gives you the skills to succeed.

You’ll explore innovative approaches for sound design, audio engineering, mastering, interactive media, and music production. You’ll also gain invaluable insights from music, entrepreneurship, and technical arts courses tailored to meet industry demands and artistic practices.

As technology continues to reshape the way music and sonic arts are created, performed, and shared, this degree gives you the hands-on experience and expertise to turn your passion into a profession.

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What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Music Technology Major, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The Bachelor of Arts in Music Technology is designed for students who aim to succeed as creative practitioners, entrepreneurs, performers, composers, songwriters, sound artists, audio engineers, and producers in the music industry. This program presents a contemporary curriculum that addresses the dynamic and changing landscape of the music profession. To provide relevant training in these emerging fields, this degree also includes courses from Design and Business. Advancements in technology impact how music is performed, consumed, produced, and marketed. This program provides an abundance of opportunity for trained experts to garner a lucrative career through this unique, non-traditional field of study.  

BA-MUTE Entrance Requirements: This program admission process is holistic and inclusive. Prospective students are required to participate in a brief interview with one of the faculty representatives to discuss goals, aspirations, and what students will bring to the program. Students should demonstrate basic competencies in reading music before taking the music theory class sequence in their first year of the program. Prospective students may also showcase their skills in areas such as:  electronic music performance, audio production, sound design, live looping, sampling, synthesis, and composition. Students who play an instrument(s) may also audition for a scholarship and participate in any of our many ensembles.

Note: To support daily use and installation of required audio software, students enrolled in the Music Technology program must have access to a MacBook or Windows laptop. 
Minimum Operating System Requirements (Mac): OS 11.0 or later, 8+ GB RAM
Minimum Operating System Requirements (Windows): 10 version 22H2 or later (Not 11S), 8+ GB RAM

World Language Requirement: Two years of a single high school world language or one year of a single college-level world language is required.

Grade Requirement for all majors offered by the Music Department: the minimum acceptable grade for any music course required for graduation (including transferred music courses) is ≥C.

Required Non-Credit Music Component
CONVOCATION AND RECITAL ATTENDANCE (must be repeated each term)
Required Music Courses
MUSC 101
MUSC 102
MUSC 103
MUSIC THEORY I
and MUSIC THEORY II
and MUSIC THEORY III
9
MUSC 104
MUSC 105
MUSC 106
AURAL SKILLS
and AURAL SKILLS II
and AURAL SKILLS III
3
MUSC 117PIANO CLASS I BEGIN/NON-MAJORS (Based on audition students will take either MUSC 117 OR MUSC 120)1
or MUSC 120 PIANO CLASS I FOR MAJORS
MUSC 293STUDIO AS INSTRUMENT - COMPOSING WITH ELECTRONIC MEDIA2
MUSC 361
MUSC 362
SOUND RECORDING ARTS I
and SOUND RECORDING ARTS II
6
MUSC 363LIVE SOUND3
MUSC 364SOUND FOR INTERMEDIA PRODUCTIONS3
MUSC 366DATA-TO-MUSIC SONIFICATION3
MUSC 3673-D AUDIO3
MUSC 386SOUND SPACES3
MUSC 393CREATIVE CODING IN MAX/MSP3
MUSC 410
MUSC 411
AUDIO ENGINEERING AURAL SKILLS
and AUDIO MASTERING TECHNIQUES
6
MUSC 489CASE STUDIES IN MUSIC INDUSTRY3
MUSC 493MUSIC COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT2
Required Supporting Courses
DESN 384DIGITAL SOUND5
ENTP 387BUSINESS STARTUP RESEARCH4
ENTP 388THE ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCE4
ENTP 389BUSINESS FEASIBILITY: PLAN AND PITCH4
Electives–choose from the following subject codes: MUSE and MUSC or consult with your advisor9
Music Courses
COMMERCIAL VOICE LESSON
INSTRUCTION ON VOICE OR INSTRUMENT
COMPOSITIONAL TECHNIQUES
AMERICAN POPULAR MUSIC: 1920 AND BEYOND
SONG WRITING
Music Ensemble Courses
MARCHING BAND
WIND ENSEMBLE
ORCHESTRA
SYMPHONIC CHOIR
CONCERT CHOIR
CHAMBER MUSIC ENSEMBLES
Required Senior Capstone
MUSC 490MUSIC SENIOR CAPSTONE4
Total Credits80

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits. Individual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.

Courses could be offered in different terms, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current. Students should connect with their music advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

This major requires the completion of the World Language requirement.  Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree must complete two years of a single language in high school or one year of a single language in college.

First Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
ENGL 1015ENGL 2015MUSC 1033
MUSC 1013MATH 1075MUSC 1061
MUSC 1041MUSC 1023MUSC 1100
MUSC 1100MUSC 1051Humanities & Arts BACR 215
MUSC 117 or 1201MUSC 1100Social Science BACR 115
Humanities & Arts BACR 115MUSC 2932 
 15 16 14
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
MUSC 1100MUSC 1100DESN 3845
MUSC 3613MUSC 3623MUSC 1100
MUSC 4103Music Technology Elective21MUSC 3633
Music Technology Elective21Natural Science BACR 215MUSC 3933
Natural Science BACR 115Elective - minor or general elective5Music Technology Elective21
Social Science BACR 215 Global Studies - graduation requirement15
 17 14 17
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
ENTP 3874ENTP 3884ENTP 3894
MUSC 1100MUSC 1100MUSC 1100
MUSC 3643MUSC 3863MUSC 3663
Diversity - graduation requirement15Music Technology Elective21Music Technology Elective21
Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor, or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
  Elective - minor or general elective2
 17 13 15
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
MUSC 1100MUSC 1100MUSC 1100
MUSC 3673MUSC 4893MUSC 4113
Music Technology Elective22MUSC 490 (Senior Capstone - graduation requirement)4MUSC 4932
Elective - minor or general elective5Music Technology Elective21Music Technology Elective21
Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
 Elective - minor or general elective1Elective - minor or general elective2
 15 14 13
Total Credits 180
1

University Graduation Requirements (UGR) and Breadth Area Course Requirements (BACR) courses may be less than 5 credits and additional credits may be required to reach the required 180 total credits needed to graduate.  Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

2

Electives–choose nine credits from the approved list in the following subject codes: MUSE and MUSC or, consult with your advisor.

University Competencies and Proficiencies

English 
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning
Placement and Clearance 
Prior Learning/Sources of Credit AP, CLEP, IB


General Education Requirements (GER)

  • Minimum Credits—180 cumulative credit hours 
    • 60 upper-division credits (300 level or above)
    • 45 credits in residence (attendance) at Eastern, with at least 15 upper-division credits in major in residence at Eastern
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA ≥2.0

Breadth Area Core Requirements (BACR)

Humanities and Arts 
Natural Sciences 
Social Sciences


University Graduation Requirements (UGR)

Diversity Course List
World Language (for Bachelor of Arts)
Global Studies Course List
Minor or Certificate
Senior Capstone Course List


Application for Graduation (use EagleNET) must be made at least two terms in advance of the term expected to graduate (undergraduate and post-baccalaureate).

Use the Catalog Archives to determine two important catalog years.

  1. The catalog in effect at the student's first term of current matriculation is used to determine BACR (Breadth Area Core Requirements) and UGR (Undergraduate Graduation Requirements).
  2. The catalog in effect at the time the student declares a major or minor is used to determine the program requirements.

Students who earn a BA in Music Technology from EWU should be able to:

  • demonstrate basic competency in music theory through score reading and analysis;
  • create works/productions from music technologies through completion of recording projects;
  • design sound-processing tools and new instrument sounds through research and development projects;
  • demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental challenges faced by entrepreneurs, and the tools that help them plan for success;
  • demonstrate competency with sound recording and editing tools;
  • design new instruments through research and development projects;
  • work in teams to solve problems.

Sample Courses

MUSC 363. LIVE SOUND. 3 Credits.

A project-oriented course designed to provide an overview of live sound reinforcement techniques. Through hands-on workshops students gain theoretical and practical knowledge of audio production techniques and participate in all stages of a live music performance or public event, including microphone placement, signal routing topologies, front of house (FOH) mixing, monitoring systems, and signal processing.

Catalog Listing

MUSC 360. SONG WRITING. 2 Credits.

Pre-requisites: MUSC 103.
Students experience songwriting through practical writing/composition. Students will write original lead sheets, perform and record their original songs. Students in this course will employ their theoretical background and musical knowledge in composition techniques. Students will learn about the analysis of current trends in popular music literature, new applications and industry outlets for song writers, and basic concepts of publishing, copyrights and synchronization licensing.

Catalog Listing

DESN 384. DIGITAL SOUND. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: junior standing or instructor permission.
Provides a foundation in the techniques of sound design, recording, production, and editing for digital media. Students create and record sound files, apply effects, and mix and produce a variety of multimedia audio elements using state-of-the-art digital technology. Applicable uses include websites, games, multimedia products for promotion and learning, entertainment products, and virtual worlds.

Catalog Listing

MUSC 367. 3-D AUDIO. 3 Credits.

Pre-requisites: MUSC 362.
Covers theoretical and practical skills in physical acoustics for multi-channel speaker arrays and immersive audio applications. Relevant applications include surround sound for film, gaming, electro-acoustic composition, performance, sound art, and other forms of interactive media.

Catalog Listing

music student working on levels in a recording studio
Female student working on a keyboard recording set up.

Career Possibilities

  • Music Producer
  • Audio Engineer
  • Sound Designer
  • Recording Studio Manager
  • Live Sound Technician

  • Film Score Composer
  • Sound Designer for Film, TV, or Video Games
  • Post-production Audio Engineer
  • Foley Artist
  • Video Game Audio Director

  • Music Software Developer
  • Audio Plugin Developer
  • Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) Specialist
  • Audio Programmer
  • Developer for Music Apps

  • Radio DJ or Host
  • Podcast Producer
  • Broadcast Engineer
  • Live Sound Engineer
  • Event Production Manager

  • Music Technology Instructor
  • Music Licensing Coordinator
  • Music Tech Entrepreneur
  • Community Music Program Director
  • Music Technology Researcher

As a Music Technology major, you’ll master the digital tools, audio equipment, and software essential for creating, recording, and producing music.

You’ll also learn music theory and performance along with cutting-edge technical skills in sound engineering, recording, mixing, and production.  

Graduates are ready to pursue a diverse range of careers in the music industry, film, video games, broadcasting, and digital archiving. You might even contribute to developing the next wave of music technology and software.

With endless creative and technical opportunities, this degree prepares you to make your mark in a fast-evolving field.

Explore your career possibilities in the following areas:

Music Technology in Action

In his composition textbook, Jonathan Middleton, professor of theory and composition, explains why it’s important for composers to develop a creative process. A key aspect of his own approach involves drawing inspiration from nature and numbers—things that surround us and bring joy and meaning to Dr. Middleton’s artistic expression. His user-friendly algorithmic techniques for transforming number sequences, DNA, and protein structures into melodies can open students’ perspectives to creativity and help them draw correlations between the arts and sciences.

Why Study Music at the Region's Polytechnic?

Get a hands-on education, real-world experience, and personalized support from faculty so you can launch your career with confidence.


Vibrant Music Community

Vibrant Music Community

Join clubs like Mariachi Las Águilas, ACDA Choir, and the EWU Marching Band.

Industry-Experienced Faculty

Industry-Experienced Faculty

Learn from musicians who actively perform at top regional venues.

Affordable Education

Affordable Education

Benefit from competitive tuition and financial aid options to help you graduate debt-free.

Entrepreneurial Mindset

Entrepreneurial Mindset

Graduate prepared to take control of your career and thrive financially.

Passion-Driven Careers

Passion-Driven Careers

Follow your calling and compose your future in the music industry.


Program Highlights

  • Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Work with artists, actors, writers, and poets to broaden your creative horizons.
  • Accredited Excellence: Earn a degree from a nationally accredited program known for its exceptional music education.
  • Cutting-Edge Tech: Keep pace with the changing industry using advanced music technology and state-of-the-art tools.
“I chose the EWU music program because of the world-class musicians who teach there. I knew I could trust them to become both a better musician and a more well-rounded person.” — Christian Skok '22

Faculty

For more information about Music Technology, contact our faculty.

Ben Luca Robertson, PhD

Director of Music Technology & Advising
Photo of Ben Luca Robertson, PhD
Music Building Room 240

Jonathan Middleton

Professor
Composition
Photo of Jonathan Middleton
Music Building Room 209

Take the Next Step

The EWU Music Department awards an average of $150,000 in scholarships each year to help students pursue their dream of working in the music industry.