Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Music Production
- San Francisco, USA
- Online
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
8 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 1,463 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus
* per unit for international students / USD 1,239 per unit for domestic students
Key Summary
The BFA in Music Production provides a more in-depth study of principles introduced in the AA program. Students will gain a complete overview of the music production process, learning the latest in music production software, as well as recording, editing, and mixing. BFA students will complete a demo reel in their final year, highlighting their best music production for visual media (film, animation, games, and web media).
Unit Requirements
| Major Coursework | Units |
|---|---|
| Major | 42 |
| Liberal Arts | 45 |
| Elective | 9 |
| Core | 36 |
| Total | 132 |
Degree Requirements
BFA Music Production Degree Requirements
- A minimum grade of C- in all core courses, major courses, and LA 107 Writing for the Multilingual Artist or 108 Composition for the Artist
- Minimum 2.0 GPA and the following general education requirements:
- 1 Written Communication: Composition
- 1 Written Communication: Critical Thinking
- 1 Written Communication: Context & Style
- 1 Art Historical Awareness
- 1 Historical Awareness
- 1 Quantitative Literacy
- 1 Cultural Ideas & Influences
- 1 Employment Communications & Practices
After the above general education requirements are met, take Liberal Arts electives as needed to fulfill the Liberal Arts unit requirement.
Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
Critical Analysis
- Synthesize and apply knowledge of contemporary styles to the composition and production of original music
Production Techniques
- Produce a professional-quality recording on a digital audio workstation (DAW)
- Demonstrate mastery of the music production process
- Create music mixes with balance, depth, and sonic interest
Professional Readiness
- Demonstrate professional achievement through the creation of a portfolio that showcases skills and supports career opportunities.
Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:
- Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
- Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
- Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
- Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
- Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
- Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
- Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
Semester 1
- MUS 101: Music Theory & Basic Notation
- MUS 102: Soundtrack Industry Overview
- MUS 120: Music Production 1
- MUS 179: History of the Recording Industry
Semester 2
- LA 108: Composition for the Artist
- LA 132: History of Animation
- LA 142: Film Music Appreciation
- MUS 110: Harmony 1
- MUS 170: Music Production 2
- MUS 188: Rhythm & Beat Production
Semester 3
- MUS 105: Pro Tools User Certification Preparation
- MUS 125A: Audio Production A
- MUS 140: Music Notation and Score Preparation
- MUS 150: Harmony 2
- MUS 222: Ableton Live Certification Preparation
Semester 4
- LA 182: Genres in Film
- LA 202: English Composition: Creative Persuasion & Argument
- LA 291: Designing Careers
- MUS 125B: Audio Production B
- MUS 205: ProTools 2 Operator Certification Preparation
- MUS 285: Session Recording 1: Protocols and Practices
- MUS 370: Music Editing for Visual Media
Semester 5
- LA 110: Writing the Short Story
- LA 282: Film History 2: 1940-1974
- MUS 180: Introduction to Arranging
- MUS 310: Real-Time Mixing
- MUS 360: Songwriting in Popular Music
Semester 6
- LA 124: Physics for Artists: Light, Sound, and Motion
- LA 171: Western Civilization
- LA 368: Experiencing Culture: Anthropology for Today's Artist
- LA 382: Film History 3: Contemporary Cinema
- MPT 225: Sound Design
- MUS 385: Session Recording 2 - Vocal Production
- MUS 498: Collaborative Project
Semester 7
- LA 407: The Beatles in the Visual Arts
- MUS 415: The Music Mix
- MUS 425: Experimental Sound Design & Synthesis
- MUS 498: Collaborative Project
Semester 8
- LA 104: Respect for Acting
- LA 131: History of Gaming
- MUS 330: Production Sound Recording
- MUS 480: Music Demo Reel
- MUS 498: Collaborative Project
- MUS 500: Internship in Music for Visual Media