Sound design—a degree that resonates

The Sound Design degree program prepares you to be a sound designer and sound engineer in the theatre and entertainment industries. You’ll learn how to edit, record and compose sound and music with hardware and software that is used by professionals. You’ll collaborate with directors, designers and production staff to gain experience translating sound design concepts into reality.

In the program, you’ll learn from distinguished and award-winning faculty, many of whom are professional designers, artists and technicians. This degree also provides you with the opportunity to work as a sound designer and technician on public productions. The Theatre School presents each season.

In your fourth year of the degree program, you will have the opportunity to do an internship in the sound design industry that is tailored toward your interests, such as musical theatre, outdoor sound design, or recording. You will also have the chance to take part in the annual Graduate Showcase, where you will present your portfolio to artistic and technical directors, and other members of the theatre, film, television and music industries.

Classes

Coursework

• Design Production
• History of Dramatic Literature
• Sound Technology
• Technical Collaboration
• Technical Drawing
• Theatre Crew

Resources

• Major Requirements
• Schedule of Classes
• Department Website

• Combined bachelor's + master's degree offered

Career Options

Common Career Areas

• Composition using hardware and software
• Film sound-effects editor
• Live sound mixer
• Sound editing
• Studio engineering
• Theatre sound engineering

Major Requirements

Plan of Study Grid

First Year		Hours
Sound Technology Sequence I:
TEC 208	SOUND TECHNOLOGY I	3
TEC 209	SOUND TECHNOLOGY I	3
TEC 210	SOUND TECHNOLOGY I	3
Technical Drawing Sequence:
TEC 151	TECHNICAL DRAWING I	2
TEC 152	TECHNICAL DRAWING I	2
TEC 153	TECHNICAL DRAWING I	2
Principles of Design Sequence:
DES 141	ELEMENTS OF DESIGN	4
DES 142	PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN	4
DES 143	SCRIPT ANALYSIS	4
History of Dramatic Literature Sequence (Arts and Literature Requirement):
THE 204	HISTORY OF DRAMATIC LITERATURE	4
THE 205	HISTORY OF DRAMATIC LITERATURE	4
THE 206	HISTORY OF DRAMATIC LITERATURE	4
Three Quarters of Theatre Crew:		6
TEC 107	THEATRE CREW
Second Year
Sound Design Sequence I:
DES 208	SOUND DESIGN I	4
DES 209	SOUND DESIGN I	4
DES 210	SOUND DESIGN I	4
Theatrical Collaboration:
DES 641	THEATRICAL COLLABORATION	3
DES 642	THEATRICAL COLLABORATION	3
TEC 320	TECHNICAL COLLABORATION	3
Survey of the Arts for Theatre Sequence:
THE 381	SURVEY OF THE ARTS FOR THEATRE	4
THE 382	SURVEY OF THE ARTS FOR THEATRE	4
Production Practice Sequence I:
DES 271	DESIGN PRODUCTION PRACTICE I	3
DES 272	DESIGN PRODUCTION PRACTICE I	3
DES 273	DESIGN PRODUCTION PRACTICE I	3
Third Year
Sound Design Sequence II:
DES 308	SOUND DESIGN II	4
DES 309	SOUND DESIGN II	4
DES 310	SOUND DESIGN II	4
Design/Theatre Electives		12
Production Practice Sequence II:
DES 371	DESIGN PRODUCTION PRACTICE II	4
DES 372	DESIGN PRODUCTION PRACTICE II	4
DES 373	DESIGN PRODUCTION PRACTICE II	4
Fourth Year
Sound Design Sequence III:
DES 408	SOUND DESIGN III	4
DES 409	SOUND DESIGN III	4
DES 410	SOUND DESIGN III	4
Design/Theatre Electives		12
DES 490	DESIGN INTERNSHIP	5
Production Practice III:
DES 471	DESIGN PRODUCTION PRACTICE III	5
DES 472	DESIGN PRODUCTION PRACTICE III	5
DES 473	DESIGN PRODUCTION PRACTICE III	5