Majors and Degrees Offered

Audio Production (BA)
Audio Production (BA) with emphasis in International Audio Production

Minor Offered

Audio Production

Certificate Offered

Entrepreneurship for Audio Majors

Department Description

Students majoring in audio production learn to work in a variety of audio fields, including music recording, film sound, audio for video, radio, electronic sound synthesis, theatrical sound design, sound reinforcement, audio for computer applications, and audio equipment maintenance. A hands-on approach is a key part of the program and complements lectures on audio theory. The history of the audio industry is also an important component of the program, lending perspective and offering insight into the industry's future.

Learning Outcomes

Successful graduates of the Department of Audio Aesthetics & Technology will:

• Function professionally using a variety of audio/media technology;
• Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of the theories underlying the science and art of audio production;
• Perform professionally in the field of audio production.

Special Requirements

Portfolio Review

Students declaring a major within the Department of Audio Aesthetics & Technology complete portfolios of their work as part of their degree requirements. Students majoring in audio production must complete a portfolio review with a panel of faculty within their major after they have successfully completed the following course requirement:

• AUDI 3000 – Multitrack Recording

In the portfolio review process, students learn to develop personal portfolios in their areas of interest. In addition, the process enables the faculty to gauge the talent, aptitude, and potential of the student in his or her area of study. This mid-program portfolio review gives faculty members the opportunity to talk with students about their progress and make suggestions regarding their school program and career goals.

The student's portfolio is judged on both the quality and presentation of the material. Faculty members consider accuracy, creativity, content, and technical expertise in the work presented, and enthusiasm and professionalism of delivery when judging the student for formal admittance into his or her major in the Department of Aesthetics & Technology.

Portfolio deadlines are announced each academic year, and reviews are held each semester. Students should contact their academic advisors in the School of Communications for more specific information about portfolio review requirements as soon as they enter Webster University.

Capstone Course

Successful completion of a capstone class with a grade of B or better is part of the degree requirement for each major and emphasis. A capstone class is an advanced course designated by the major in which students learn to demonstrate their mastery of the subject matter. The capstone class should be taken in the student's senior year.

Transfer Students

Transfer students should not expect to obtain a degree in the Department of Audio Aesthetics & Technology in less than four full semesters of sequenced courses.

Transfer students who have completed the associate of arts (AA) degree have satisfied the school's general education requirement.

Grade Requirements

Students must earn a grade of C- or better in any course they wish to apply toward their major or toward the 36 required credit hours in general education. The pass/fail option is not available for courses that students wish to apply toward their major or toward their general education requirements, unless those courses are offered only under the pass/fail option. (For example, creative writing courses in the English Department are offered only as pass/fail and may count toward Category I of general education.)

Double Majors

An area of concentration (major) in the School of Communications may be combined with a major in another Webster University School or College as part of the student's bachelor of arts degree plan. Double majors are not allowed between the departments of the School of Communications.

Minors

The following apply to all minors:

• A minor must be comprised of 18 credit hours taken at Webster University.
• No course counted toward a major can also count toward a minor.
• Students may have a major and a minor within the same department in the School of Communications; they may not major and minor within the same area of emphasis.
• Students must earn a grade of C- or better in any course they wish to apply toward a minor.