BM Sound Engineering Arts

Students who wish to pursue a BM degree in Sound Engineering Arts must choose either the Jazz or Classical track.

---

The William Paterson University Sound Engineering Arts program offers students the essential combination of the technical, theoretical, practical and musical areas of the audio arts. This approach serves to graduate developed musicians with the ambition of entering the professional audio world. Our graduates can be found in every corner and at the highest levels of the professional audio industry. They have recorded major artists, audio sweetened the most watched shows on TV, worked on top selling video games, recorded the largest musical festivals in the US, provided sound for the largest sporting event in football, and much more. Our close proximity to New York City provides unparalleled opportunities for or students. 

For curriculum information please click on the degree programs listed below:

• Loading...

• Loading...

Developing the skills both musical and technical

The SEA programs rests on a strong belief that to reach the highest levels of success and to experience longevity in the audio industry an aspiring audio professional is best prepared by developing skills in all areas pertaining to the professional audio world. This includes a strong and diverse musical background, a sophisticated and comprehensive understanding of science and mathematics as it applies to sound, and a great deal of hands-on learning in a variety of studio and live sound environments. To complete the learning experience all students participate in at least one professional level internship experience that takes place in or around the New York metropolitan area.

Audio Engineering Society

In 1999 William Paterson University was granted a student section charter by the Audio Engineering Society.

The Audio Engineering Society is the only professional society devoted exclusively to audio technology. Its membership consists of leading engineers, scientists and other authorities in the field of audio. Students have a wide variety of opportunities at internships both in Northern New Jersey and in New York City. These opportunities are offered by a diverse set of audio production and post-production facilities, manufacturers, record companies, mastering houses, and the like.

All Sound Engineering Arts students are required to become student members of the AES.

Go to the AES Headquarter's Web Site

Sound Engineering Arts Careers

• Recording Engineer
• Assistant Engineer
• Producer
• Maintenance/technician
• Audio Post Engineer
• Facilities Manager
• Educator
• New Media Authoring
• Broadcast Engineer
• Design Engineer
• Studio Owner
• ADR/Foley Engineer

Frequently Asked Questions

• How many students are in the Sound Engineering Arts program?

• Twelve or thirteen students are accepted into the SEA program at the freshman level. The expected number entering the sophomore level is 10 - 12. There are typically a total of 50 SEA majors at any one time.

• Are there good employment opportunities in the professional audio industry?

• Yes, especially if you are willing to explore several different career choices. The director of the SEA program has a multitude of connections to the professional audio industry and acts as a career counselor and, at times, an employment agency.

• What are the requirements for admission to the SEA program?

• Aside from the academic requirements - SAT's, grades, class ranking, etc. individuals will be required to pass a Music department audition in order to be considered for the BM in Sound Engineering Arts major. Preferred candidates will have demonstrable math and science skills. Students entering the Sound Engineering Arts program as freshman or transfer students will be required to satisfactorily complete a year of freshman music core courses and applied calculus 1. Enrollment in the SEA courses will not begin until the above courses are satisfactorily completed or by the discretion of the Sound Engineering Arts director. Students must maintain a 2.5 grade point average in the Sound Engineering Arts courses to remain in the sequence.

• Are there internship opportunities while enrolled in the SEA program?

• Yes, there are many internship possibilities offered to the SEA student. Our proximity to New York City avails the student to the finest studios in the world. These internships are usually at recording studios in Manhattan or in northern New Jersey. If a student has a particular desire for other types of internships, they can be investigated. One internship is required for graduation.

• How much "hands-on" time will be available?

• The advantage of a small program is the availability of studio time. Each SEA student receives a minimum of 5 hours per week in the appropriate recording studio. At the junior and senior level, students are given a minimum of 5 hours in both of our main control rooms per week. There is generally more studio time available than is required to complete assignments so students have ample time to experiment and work on individual projects.