Preparatory Program

This page was updated October 18, 2006. Previous language and/or information no longer valid. The following information is for students considering applications for the Spring 2007 semester or beyond, until further notice. Contact CAMadvising@cudenver.edu for questions.

For students that seek the Master of Science in Recording Arts (MSRA), full admission to the program requires preparation that is equal to a Bachelor’s Degree in Recording Arts. This preparation can be demonstrated by a Bachelor’s degree in the field of audio production, or experience in the industry. CU-Denver’s undergraduate program is a sample of such preparation.

We welcome applicants from other allied disciplines (ex: Physics, Electrical Engineering, Music Education) – however, additional preparation is often required.

If your Bachelor’s degree is in a field other than Recording Arts, demonstration of equivalent preparation from your professional audio experiences may qualify. Please consult with our Faculty Advisor, Leslie Gaston (leslie.gaston@cudenver.edu) to request an informal portfolio review to asses your preparation for the program.

Applicants with no recording arts background will not qualify for the Master’s program.

These students will need to apply to CU-Denver as a 2nd undergraduate degree seeking student, and complete coursework towards the Bachelor of Science in Music/Emphasis in Music Industry Studies-Tech focus (see below).
This is known as the Prep Program.
Prep students are not required to complete a 2nd undergraduate degree.
Students who apply to the Prep Program who also have no musical background will also be required to complete performance & musicianship coursework in order to qualify for the MSRA.
This process generally takes 2-3 years
Along with the Audio Production courses, this coursework will give them the adequate musicianship & performance background necessary to succeed in the MSRA Program.

PREP PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS
The Prep Program

Is for students not yet technically qualified for admission into the MSRA.
Will depend on students’ musicianship background as well as their technical preparation to date.
Is an individually structured sequence of courses.
Curriculum will vary from student to student.
May require less credits and/or coursework for students from allied disciplines (computer science, electrical engineering, etc.).
May also be lower in credits and/or semesters for students whose previous degree is in Music (e.g. Composition, Performance, Music Ed, etc) than those students who have no previous musical study.
Encourages students to meet with the Faculty Advisor (Leslie.Gaston@cudenver.edu) and/or an Academic Advisor (CAMadvising@cudenver.edu) to determine (on a case-by-case basis) what set of courses would be most beneficial.

PREP PROGRAM DETAILS

Takes a minimum of two years (approx 4-6 semesters) to complete.
Fall start only. We do not accept Spring or Summer applications.
Prep students are subject to the same entrance requirements to the University as well as the Music Department as any other incoming student, including GPA consideration and a musical aptitude test
Consists of approximately 21-25 credits of undergraduate-level coursework in the field of recording arts
May also include additional undergraduate coursework in related fields such as Music Theory, Music History, Music Business and Music Performance, depending on applicant’s musical background.
Students apply for admission to the MSRA degree during the Spring semester of 2nd year (for 2-year Prep Program).
Students will be encouraged to take as many Music Performance/Theory and Music Business course as possible for their own musical and professional growth.

SUGGESTED PREP PROGRAM CURRICULUM
Fall semester†
-MUS 2540 Audio Production I (3)
-MUS 2470 Music Applications on Computer (3)
Total: 6

†pending admission to the Music Department

Spring semester
-MUS 2560 Audio Production II (4)
-MUS 2700 Music Business I (3)
APPLY TO TECH FOCUS

Total: 7

Fall semester*
-MUS 4550 Audio Production III (4)
-MUS 3560 Maintenance & Calibration (3)
-MUS 4505/75 Audio Sweetening/Surround Sound (4)
-Audio Production electives (Topics courses, etc.) (3)
-MUS 4580 Audio Production Seminar (3)
Total: 15-17

*Due to extremely high demand for our audio production courses, and sequencing of courses to ensure building of proper skill sets, Prep students must apply & be accepted into the Tech focus in order to take any of the upper division (3000/4000 level) courses in audio production.

All MSRA applicants, including those students in the Preparatory program, will be required to take the Audio Production Entrance Exam. MSRA Preparatory Program students must indicate on the application that they are Prep Program students.

Spring semester
-PHYS 3620 Physics of Sound & Music (3)
-Audio Production electives (4-8)
-MUS 3560 Maintenance & Calibration (3)
-MUS 4505/75 Audio Sweetening/Surround Sound (4)
-MUS 4580 Audio Production Seminar (3)
Total: 13-15
APPLY TO MSRA PROGRAM

HOW TO APPLY TO THE PREP PROGRAM

Prep students will be required to apply to the University as a candidate for a 2nd undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Science in Music, emphasis in Music Industry Studies).
Prep students are not required to complete this 2nd undergraduate degree.
Fill out the on-line Undergraduate Transfer Application. You will be required to pay the application fee and submit official transcripts.
Schedule & complete your musical aptitude exam (on-line registration [coming soon] through Music Dept website)
If admitted to the Music Department, meet with a CAM advisor to discuss registration
Register on-line using the SMART system

NOTE: REGISTRATION & TUITION

Students with a previous Bachelor’s degree who apply as a 2nd-degree seeking student will be assessed undergraduate tuition.