Audio Engineering California State University, Dominguez Hills

Overview

Data from needs assessment surveys of the media industries indicate that there is a high demand for graduates that possess the hands-on, technical production skills that this Audio Engineering curriculum from California State University, Dominguez Hills offers.

Purpose

• provide an academic program that gives students a solid base in the theory and technology skills required for professional careers in the film and television industry; 

• provide hands-on experience in the basic software and hardware tools utilized in film and television production;

• provide the opportunity for students to work in teams, applying their producing, directing, writing, editing, and engineering skills to produce a variety of professional-quality film and television products; and

• develop interpersonal skills and professional demeanor that will enable students to work effectively and cooperatively as team players on collaborative projects in the industry.

The Audio Engineering curriculum emphasizes collaborative teamwork among the students in the Digital Media Arts Department’s degree programs. 

For example, Film &Television students will write, produce, film, and edit a television documentary or short movie that our Audio Engineering students then take over to perform the sound design elements of ADR, foley, and sound effects editing, while our Music Technology students compose, arrange, and record original music scores for the film’s soundtrack. Conversely, our Audio and Music Technology students record and produce a band’s song while the Film & Television students film and edit the music video of the song as well as the bonus material such as interviews with the band and behind-the-scenes “making of” footage for the interactive DVD, Blu-ray, or website.

The Audio Engineering degree is geared for students who want to have careers working as professionals in the media industry. 

These career goals include producer, sound engineer, sound designer, re-record mixer, sound effects editor, and audio/video post production. With Hollywood just 20 minutes from campus, our students have the opportunity to work for and serve internships at a variety of commercial recording studios, live sound reinforcement companies, TV stations, motion picture studios, audio and video post production houses, and cable networks. 

Career Possibilities

Graduates in Audio Engineering will find career opportunities in a wide range of entertainment, informational, and educational venues. The broad focus of the curriculum prepares students for roles as producer, sound engineer, sound designer, re-record mixer, sound effects editor, and audio/video post production. 

With its emphasis on hands-on training and production project experience graduates of the program are qualified for a variety of career opportunities at commercial recording studios, live sound reinforcement for concerts and theater, TV stations, motion picture studios, audio/video post-production houses, and cable networks. There are also employment opportunities for our students in noncommercial media venues such as educational media at schools and colleges and in-house media production at major corporations and community organizations.