2024-2025 Catalog

Music Production (Certificate)

Program Advisor: Ellen Shanahan

413-236-4703 • eshanahan@berkshirecc.edu

The Music Production certificate program emphasizes recording technology (SONAR; Audacity; and Pro Tools) and utilizes music notation software for creating, editing, printing and publishing musical scores (Finale). Graduates will achieve 29 credits intended for transfer to higher education institutions that offer degrees in related areas such as entertainment business, film, game music, recording arts, and show production. Graduates may also seek immediate employment in recording studios and other areas related to the music production industry; they may also run their own home studio.

Expected Outcomes

Graduates of this program should be able to:

  • Create and/or follow a musical score;
  • Apply knowledge of musical editing software to a recording process;
  • Apply the knowledge of basic sound production and sound production equipment;
  • Understand and utilize music notation;
  • Understand and begin to develop a personal and career path in music production;

  • Understand and address practical solo and ensemble musical performance issues;
  • Communicate clearly, succinctly and accurately; and
  • Transfer to a specializing institution for advanced training and/or degrees in related areas.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a certificate in this program, a student must complete all program credits, plus the following Additional Requirements.

Program Courses

MUS-114Performance Seminar

1

ENG-101Composition I

3

MUS-101Applied Music I - All Instruments & Voice

1

MUS-102Applied Music II - All Instruments & Voice

1

MUS-106Fundamentals of Music

3

MUS-108Music Theory I

3

MUS-110American Popular Music

3

MUS-132Recording Technology - SONAR

3

MUS-138Class Piano I

1

MUS-156Musicianship I

2

MUS-185Music Notation Using Finale

3

MUS-232Recording Technology - Pro Tools

3

MUS -Ensembles

2

Total Credit Hours:29
MUS: See footnote 1

Additional Requirements

Minimum Cumulative Average

Overall 2.000
All required MUS courses 2.000

Suggested Pathway to Graduation

The following is a suggestion for completing the program is one year. The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student’s individual needs.

First Semester

MUS-114Performance Seminar

1

ENG-101Composition I

3

MUS-101Applied Music I - All Instruments & Voice

1

MUS-106Fundamentals of Music

3

MUS-110American Popular Music

3

MUS-132Recording Technology - SONAR

3

MUS -Ensembles

1

Total Credit Hours:15
MUS : See footnote 1

Second Semester

MUS-102Applied Music II - All Instruments & Voice

1

MUS-108Music Theory I

3

MUS-138Class Piano I

1

MUS-156Musicianship I

2

MUS-185Music Notation Using Finale

3

MUS-232Recording Technology - Pro Tools

3

MUS-Ensembles

3

Total Credit Hours:16

MUS : See footnote 1

Gainful Employment Disclosure 2019

Below you'll find program costs, student loan debt, graduation rates, and jobs associated with this program.

Program Name: Music Production Certificate

This program is designed to be completed in: one (1) year.

Costs for this program if completed within normal timeframe:

  • $6,607 in-state tuition and fees
  • $6,984 New England/New York resident tuition and fees
  • $13,393 out-of-state tuition and fees
  • $1,450 estimated books and supplies
  • $1,856 estimated transportation

There may be additional costs to consider such as reduced income if you will be cutting back on work hours, child care, room, board, and general living expenses while enrolled.

Loan debt of the typical graduate of this program: As fewer than 10 students completed this program within normal time, median indebtedness is being withheld to preserve their confidentiality.  

Program meets licensure requirements in Massachusetts.

For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions, please see: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

Footnote

  1. Ensembles chosen from Choral Ensemble (MUS-120 and MUS-130); Jazz Ensemble (MUS-163 and MUS-164); or Instrumental Ensemble (MUS-151 and MUS-152).