Online Degrees & Certificates

AA in Music Technology

Program Description

Foothill College's Music Technology Program (MTEC) offers cutting-edge curriculum, instruction, and hands-on training in the areas of digital media content creation based on real-world industry standards. MTEC is an innovative educational program that integrates art and music with science and technology using a vocational strategy that enables students to realize a competitive advantage in an ever-evolving, digital-centric socioeconomic era. In addition to preparing students to pursue baccalaureate degrees at four-year institutions, the Foothill College MTEC program prepares students for diverse, productive careers in digital media content creation for music, technology, liberal and audio-visual arts, and communications.

At a more granular level, MTEC prepares students for careers in recording arts, music production, electronic music, game audio, audio post for film and video, marketing, concert promotion, online delivery, technical support, entrepreneurship, business administrative positions, and many other digital media based career options. By participating in the MTEC program, students can obtain an Associate in Arts degree and Certificates of Achievement in Music Technology, Pro Tools, Game Audio, Audio Post Production, Electronic Music, and Songwriting. A certificate in Music Business is also offered. Our degree and certificates can conveniently be completed on campus, online, or in any combination.

The Foothill College Music Technology Program is one of the largest in the state of California and provides an entrance to a career in the entertainment and media industry. As an Avid Learning Partner (considering Avid is the standard platform used in the media industry), we offer the highest level of Avid Pro Tools Certification. We also offer training on Wwise and FMOD, the industry standard middleware applications for game audio.

The MTEC curriculum offers students the option to design their course of study to meet their needs. To augment their core courses, students may choose elective courses from music or related fields like media studies, photography, graphic design, and computer science. Because all these fields are very closely related, students can focus on areas that reflect their individual interests and goals. All musical styles and genres are supported and welcomed. Our goal is to give students the opportunity to succeed based on their talent, interest, and hard work. All MTEC courses are transferable to California State Universities and many transfer to the University of California system as well.

MTEC courses are available on campus during the day and evening, as well as online, to fit each student's scheduling needs. MTEC students have access to Foothill's spacious, fully equipped, state-of-the-art recording studio facility, which includes a Dolby Atmos surround sound mixing stage. Students also have the option to complete all coursework online and at home.

Learn more about the program on the Music Technology website.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the MTEC program will be able to:

Demonstrate proficiency with various aspects of digital media content creation, including the use of hardware, software, digital asset management practices, and other areas identified by the program's Board of Advisors.

Apply concepts from audio engineering, acoustics, sound synthesis, music theory, computer literacy, and team collaboration in practical situations to optimize digital media production workflows.

Demonstrate proficiency with audio-video equipment, including live content acquisition, microphones, video cameras, sound reinforcement, post-production editing, mixing, mastering, metering, and system troubleshooting.

Evaluate merits of professional media productions with an understanding of technical and aesthetic considerations appropriate for various genres.

Distinguish between related career paths associated with the discipline of Music Technology, including digital media content creation, technical support, marketing, entrepreneurship, and business administrative positions.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities in the music and media industry have never been more diverse or plentiful as they are today. Students have the opportunity to enter the industry in a variety of positions. Positions are available to qualified artists and professionals in Music Production, Audio Post-Production, Game Audio, Video Production, Podcasting, and a host of other areas. Due to the phenomenal growth of new technology and the communication available via the internet, opportunities exist literally anywhere the student chooses.

Award Type(s)

AA = Associate in Arts Degree

Units Required

Major: 40

Online Courses for Music Technology

The courses listed BELOW are offered as online courses at least once every two years. Please see the Class Schedule for verification.

• For a complete listing of online courses offered during the current quarter, visit Online Course Information.
• If you need any additional degree information or confirmation, please contact the Counseling Division.

NOTE: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.

Associate Degree Requirements

A minimum of 90 units is required* to include:

Completion of one of the following general education patterns: Foothill General Education, CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)

Core courses (32 units)

Support courses (8 units)

*Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.

Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a grade of "C" or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree or certificates.

Core and Support Courses

Core Courses

Support Courses (8 units)

Select EIGHT units from the following:

* May be completed only once for credit to satisfy either the core or support course requirements.

For a complete list of degree requirements, please visit Music Technology 2024-2025 in Degree & Certificates.

Based on the 2024 - 2025 degree program.