Degree and Certificate Options
What Will I Learn?
A creative thinker who enjoys creating music, wants to provide audio production for live events or to create audio content for various media, and has the self-discipline to excel in a hands-on, experiential learning environment may want to pursue this degree. The goal of the program is to prepare students for entry-level positions in the varied fields of the audio industry and/or to enable them to transfer to a four-year degree in a related field. In addition to hands-on training, the program helps students to understand audio theory and traditional musical concepts – to produce a versatile professional who is prepared to work in a variety of audio industry fields. Students will also be able to communicate with musicians in a recording studio or live sound environment and work in a non-musical audio field, such as broadcasting, audio for video, podcasting, or corporate sound once they finish the degree.
The “hands-on from day one” curriculum includes training on various hardware and software recording and mixing systems and technologies to provide the most flexibility for transitioning into the widest variety of employment situations easily.
Career Paths
After completing a degree in audio engineering, graduates have many career paths available including working for live event production companies, at live music venues, churches, recording studios, national and international touring shows, for corporate events, for installation companies, and for television and radio, and for film and video and post-production companies.
Graduates also often transfer to four-year degree programs to pursue a next-level degree.
Points of Pride
KCKCC offers cost effective hands-on training (from day-one) in its impressive facilities. The audio engineering and music technology programs feature three recording studios, a classroom/MIDI/video lab, and live sound equipment. The facilities are open daytimes, evenings and weekends, to allow students to work on school projects.
Students and alumni have won regional and national awards, including those from the Audio Engineering Society, Downbeat Magazine and other recording and mixing competitions.
Alum Perspective
“KCKCC’s audio engineering program gave me the base knowledge, and even more importantly practical experience, that I refer back to every single day in my touring career.”
*Potential salaries use third-party national and regional aggregated data, some of which may be estimates. Results may not reflect local or timely trends. Some careers listed may require additional education or degrees beyond those offered at KCKCC. Completing a program, degree, or certificate does not guarantee employment or a specific salary.