Dec 09, 2024  
2015-16 Graduate Catalog 
    
2015-16 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Recording Arts and Technologies, M.F.A.


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Bill Crabtree, Program Director
(615) 494-7908
Bill.Crabtree@mtsu.edu

The Department of Recording Industry  offers the Master of Fine Arts in Recording Arts and Technologies (MRAT).

The purpose of the Master of Fine Arts program is to offer preparation for advanced work in audio production, recording, and integrated electronic media. Students develop a strong foundation in audio production and an understanding of the theoretical concepts of closely related disciplines. The program fosters creativity and offers a strong technical component utilizing the latest advancements in software and hardware. A diverse range of technical and artistic projects are produced, culminating in a final project of professional caliber. The degree plan also offers preparation for select graduates to teach at the postsecondary level in the field of audio recording and production.

Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.

Admission Requirements


Admission to the Master of Fine Arts program in Recording Arts and Technologies requires

  1. an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college;
  2. undergraduate preparation or significant professional experience appropriate to the graduate curriculum and a minimum overall grade point average of 3.00 in all courses attempted, excluding repeated courses;
  3. a satisfactory score on the general portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) that is not more than five years old. Successful applicants typically have scores of 146 verbal and 140 quantitative (current scale) or 400 (former scale) or better on the verbal and quantitative measures of the GRE, and an analytical writing score of 4 or better.

Conditional Admission


An applicant who meets all requirements for admission to the M.F.A. program except the grade point average of 3.00 on all undergraduate work attempted may be granted conditional admission status if the applicant has a 3.00 average on all upper-division undergraduate work.

An applicant whose GRE scores are below the expected minimum, but who meets all other admission criteria may be granted conditional status.

Conditional students must maintain at least a 3.00 GPA for the first 12 semester hours of graduate work or one year after first matriculation (whichever occurs earlier) in order to achieve regular status and continue in the program.

Students may also be admitted under conditional status if the admissions review committee recommends that work be done at the undergraduate level to make up deficiencies. Conditional status will be removed when deficiencies are satisfactorily completed.

Application Procedures


All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies except the creative portfolio. The portfolio should be mailed directly to the M.F.A. director (see below).

Applicant must

  1. submit application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php);
  2. submit official scores on the GRE;
  3. submit official transcripts of all previous college work;
  4. submit a formal statement of purpose addressing the applicant’s career goals, related work experience, and how this degree will help attain the stated career goals;
  5. submit two letters of recommendation for graduate study-one from the undergraduate major advisor if the student is a recent graduate;
  6. submit a portfolio of works representative of the candidate’s creative achievements in the areas of audio recording, composition, video, film, multimedia, Web design, or areas strongly related to the degree curriculum. (NOTE: The portfolio has no specific guidelines because applicants are expected to have developed varying types of creative skills. It is extremely important to document your contribution to each item you submit. For example, if you submit an audio recording, state if you were composer, performer, engineer, producer, or several of these things. Audio examples should be submitted on a playable compact disc [no data files] and video on a playable DVD.)
    Portfolio materials should be sent directly to:
    Bill Crabtree
    Director, M.F.A. in Recording Arts and Technologies
    Middle Tennessee State University, Box 166
    Murfreesboro, TN 37132

Curriculum: Recording Arts and Technologies


Candidate must complete 60 hours in the following course of study:

Year 1


Year 2


Spring Semester


  • 3 credit hours
  • Guided elective 3 credit hours
  • Guided elective 3 credit hours
  • Portfolio Jury (Determines if the student has the proficiency and skills expected by the end of year two. If not, the student will be expected to do remedial work in areas of weakness as determined by the committee before being permitted to enroll in Final Project.)
  • Comprehensive Examination
  • Final Project proposal Presentation
  • NOTE: Students must pass Portfolio Jury, Final Project Presentation, and take the Comprehensive Exam to continue the Final Project.

Year 3


Fall Semester


Spring Semester


NOTE:


Guided electives are normally selected from recording arts and technologies courses; however, up to 6 hours of guided electives may be from other departments upon permission of the student’s advisor. A maximum of 12 hours of 5000-level courses may be counted toward the degree.

Program Notes


Candidate must

  1. file a degree plan in the College of Graduate Studies prior to entry into the program;
  2. file a Notice of Intent to Graduate form in the College of Graduate Studies within the first two weeks of the term in which candidate intends to graduate;
  3. attend full time, taking 9-12 hours per semester.
  4. successfully pass the comprehensive examination and portfolio jury during the spring semester of year two.

 

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