Program: Recording Arts and Technologies, M.F.A. - Middle Tennessee State University

Apr 07, 2025

2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

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) program.

The Master of Fine Arts program offers 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

an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college;
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;
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 or better on the verbal and quantitative measures of the GRE, and an analytical writing score of 4 or better.

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

submit application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php). Once this initial application has been accepted, the applicant will receive directions on how to enter the graduate portal to be able to submit other materials.
submit official scores on the GRE;
submit official transcripts of all previous college work;
submit a formal statement of purpose addressing career goals, related work experience, and how the M.F.A. will help attain the stated career goals;
submit two letters of recommendation for graduate study; one letter from the undergraduate major advisor if the student is a recent graduate;
submit a portfolio of works representative of the candidate’s creative achievements in the areas of audio recording, music, composition, video, film, or multimedia or areas strongly related to the degree curriculum. See creative portfolio format .

Curriculum: Recording Arts and Technologies

The Master of Fine Arts in Recording Arts and Technologies requires completion of 60 semester hours.

Required Courses (48 hours)

MRAT 6030 - MIDI and Music Synthesis Seminar 3 credit hours
MRAT 6040 - Digital Audio Studio Seminar 3 credit hours
MRAT 6050 - Multitrack Recording Seminar 3 credit hours
MRAT 6070 - Visual Aesthetics and Technology I 3 credit hours
MRAT 6090 - Visual Aesthetics and Technology II 3 credit hours
MRAT 6110 - Production Seminar I 3 credit hours
MRAT 6120 - Sound for Visual Media 3 credit hours
MRAT 6130 - Production Seminar II 3 credit hours
MRAT 6140 - Graduate Seminar in Audio Recording 3 credit hours
MRAT 6145 - Seminar in Advanced Mixing Techniques 3 credit hours
MRAT 6150 - Legal Rights of the Creative Individual 3 credit hours
MRAT 6170 - The Art of Critical Listening 3 credit hours
MRAT 6210 - Production Seminar III 3 credit hours
MRAT 6650 - Final Project 1 to 9 credit hours (9 credit hours required)

Electives (12 hours)

In addition to the required courses above students must complete 12 hours of electives. Electives can be taken in any semester including summer terms.
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.