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California State University, Chico
College of Humanities and Fine Arts

Music Industry and Technology BA

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  • Program Type

    Undergraduate Major

  • Delivery Type

    On Campus

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Discover how to create sounds like those you experience all around you: on your phone, on television, in the movie theater, in video games, at concerts, and even while you’re shopping or on hold with a giant corporation.

You will learn to create the soundscapes of music and our media environment by exploring the intersection of art, science, and technology. Put your hands on the same controls as Oscar winners, Emmy Award honorees, and those who have helped create Grammy-winning records right here—as you listen, produce, experiment, and study using industry-leading equipment and facilities.

A person holding a sound recording device.

A World of Knowledge

Gain practical experience and prepare for your preferred role in the audio and music industry by working directly with artists in our 12 student labs that feature diverse acoustic and technical environments that can be accessed 24 hours a day; planning and producing live music events on and off campus; and learning to work collaboratively.

Pick Your Passion

You’ll choose from two options in this major: recording arts or music industry.

  • Two people sitting at a sound mixing table while other are in seats behind them.

    Recording Arts Option

    Gain additional technical expertise as you prepare for a career in music or sound engineering while growing your skills in the areas of group communication, leadership, and artistry.

  • Yule logs band performing on stage.

    Music Industry Option

    Sharpen your music business skills by learning about contracts, copyrighting, publishing, promotion, and management by producing live concerts and events on and off campus.

Dial Up Your Future

Capitol Records, Dolby, NBC, ESPN, and Ernie Ball are just a few of the companies our alumni (who collectively have won more than 20 Grammy, Emmy, and Oscar awards) have gone on to work for, but the options are almost limitless. You’ll be prepared to work as a sound engineer, producer, artists manager, booking agent, music publisher, and more.

Learn on the Go

You’ll enjoy opportunities to work with peers, practice your trade, and gain knowledge from professors with expertise working in the industry and professionals working in the music business today.

  • Internships That Ignite Careers

    See the music industry from the inside with amazing internship opportunities with companies like Sony, Warner Bros., Ernie Ball, South by Southwest (SXSW), MTV, and more.

  • Real-World Experience

    Gain invaluable experience by helping plan and produce several events, many of them live music, on and off campus.

  • Create With Peers

    Recording Arts and Music Industry students work as a team to produce and develop artists and expand their reach.

  • Benefit From Small Class Sizes

    With only 24 new recording arts students accepted each year, you will benefit from a tight-knit community and professors who know you personally and want to help you succeed.

  • Find Support in AES

    Share your creative projects with your peers and demonstrate new skills as a member of the Audio Engineering Society (AES) during regular in-studio meetings for students.

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