Sound design encompasses how professionals find, manipulate or generate audio. Sound design programs are offered at the graduate and undergraduate levels at various community colleges, universities and art schools.
Sound Design Schools
The following schools have certificate, undergraduate and/or graduate degree programs in sound design, and are some of the best sound design schools around, offering sound design university courses and more:
| College/University | Location | Institution Type | Degrees Offered | Tuition (2019-2020)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California Irvine | Irvine, CA | 4-year, Public | Master's | (Graduate) $11,442 in-state, $26,544 out-of-state |
| Michigan Tech | Houghton, MI | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's | (Undergraduate) $15,960 in-state, $35,196 out-of-state |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Bachelor's, Master's | (Undergraduate) $38,075, (Graduate) $38,475 |
| City College of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 2-year, Public | Certificate | (Undergraduate) $1,144 in-state, $12,792 out-of-state |
| Scottsdale Community College | Scottsdale, AZ | 2-year, Public | Certificate | (Undergraduate) $2,070 in-state, $7,854 out-of-state |
| Yale School of Drama | New Haven, CT | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Master's | (Graduate) $43,300 |
| University of North Carolina School of the Arts | Winston-Salem, NC | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's | (Undergraduate) $9,358 in-state, $25,901 out-of-state, (Graduate) $9,196 in-state, $23,203 out-of-state |
| Boston University | Boston, MA | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Bachelor's | (Undergraduate) $55,892 |
| University of California San Diego | La Jolla, CA | 4-year, Public | Master's | (Graduate) $11,442 in-state, $26,544 out-of-state |
Sources: *National Center for Education Statistics, School Websites
Selection Criteria for Schools with Sound Design Degree Programs
Potential students should ensure that the school's facilities are up-to-date and the program fits their needs. Consider the following when looking for audio design school programs:
- Because sound design is a hands-on art and skill, onsite facilities for student work are a key consideration in choosing a program.
- The opportunity to train for sound design careers through school productions or programs should also be a factor in choosing a sound design school.
- Sound design programs are offered at a limited number of colleges, and many schools that do offer sound design programs offer credentials at only one or two academic levels.
- Public universities and community colleges offer cheaper tuition costs than private schools.
Sound Design College Programs
There are a number of different types of education that you can pursue if you are interested in attending a sound design college. These include certificate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs.
Certificate in Sound Design
Postsecondary certificate programs in sound design are intense, focused studies of audio theory and practical application in the studio. Some programs also offer internship opportunities. The goal of the certificate program is to enable students to gain entry-level employment in post-production theater, radio, film, television and advertising sound work. Sound design programs vary widely in their duration and in their course requirements.
Bachelor's Degree in Sound Design
A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program with a sound design major takes the typical student four years to complete on a full-time basis. In some cases, a Bachelor of Sound and Music Design is the best choice. Students generally take core liberal arts courses in addition to focusing on theoretical and practical audio and audiovisual production. They may also collaborate in putting on theater productions and music performances to gain essential real-world experience in the art.
Master's Degree in Sound Design
A Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts degree program in sound design can take two years or more to complete. A sound design master's degree often requires teaching and fieldwork experiences, along with advanced coursework in sound theory and design. Some programs foster close relationships with related programs like set design or costume design in order to develop sound designers' ability to work in a collaborative environment. Completion of a thesis or production experience may be required to graduate.
Sound design programs work closely with film, video and theatre arts programs and require a lot of hands-on work. There are a variety of certificate and sound design degree programs at colleges across the nation, all of which have different tuition costs.
