Music Technology (Diploma)
Domestic applications
Fall 2025: Applications Closed.
International applications
Please visit the International Application Deadline page to find out when applications may be available.
Overview
Get the skills to be a driving force in the studio with the two-year Diploma in Music Technology. You'll get hands-on training in a variety of audio engineering courses in digital music production, audio recording, music for film, studio setup and maintenance, career development, playing live and more.
You'll learn on state-of-the-art equipment in professional facilities — two fully-equipped studios, computer labs and a 350-seat Performing Arts Theatre — for less than a quarter of what you would pay at private colleges in B.C. You'll graduate ready to start your career in audio engineering, music production and more.
Professional development for working audio engineers
If you're already working in the music industry and want to become more literate in music technology, Music Technology at Douglas College is a great choice. You'll earn a diploma and increase your value in the workplace in just two years, with the option to progress into a third year to upskill in areas of particular industry growth, such as game audio, live sound and post-production.
Job opportunities
Over 1,000 audio and video recording technician job openings are expected in B.C. for the next nine years.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:
- General College Admission Requirements
- Audition: All Music Technology Diploma students must demonstrate competency in performance or production, evidenced by a vocal or instrumental performance, or a production project created and presented in any Digital Audio Workstation DAW. There is no set music grade level requirement and no limits on genre or style of music.
- Music Literacy: Students must pass the Music Technology program's music literacy assessment test.
- Technology Competency: Students must demonstrate a basic knowledge of music technology through completion of one of the following:
- MUSC 1182
- Pass the Technology Competency Assessment test
- Completion of approved preparatory courses through the Community Music School
Cost
Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at Douglas College with the tuition & fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more.
For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts.
Program Requirements
Graduation Requirements
- Successful completion of a minimum of 63.50 credits
- 50% (31.75 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
- In good academic standing
- Time limit to complete the program graduation requirements: 7 years. Any courses completed outside of that time limit will not be usable. Students may seek the permission of the Department/Program to complete a credential outside the approved time limits.
- Up to 50% (32.00-34.00 credits) of coursework used towards a previously received credential can be used to meet graduation requirements (see the Credentials Awarded Policy).
Course Requirements:
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|
Semester I |
||
|
Audio Recording Techniques |
4.00 |
|
|
Sequencing and Synthesis I |
3.00 |
|
|
Professional Score Production |
1.50 |
|
|
Studio Setup and Maintenance I |
1.50 |
|
|
Applied Popular Theory I |
3.00 |
|
|
Workplace Communications for Selected Programs |
3.00 |
|
|
MUSC 1175 or MUSC Ensemble (see note) |
MUSC 1175 (Music Technology for Live Bands) or any MUSC Ensemble course |
1.00-2.00 |
|
Semester II |
||
|
Advanced Audio Recording I |
4.00 |
|
|
Advanced Sound Applications |
3.00 |
|
|
Music for Film and Video |
2.00 |
|
|
Studio Setup and Maintenance II |
1.50 |
|
|
Applied Popular Theory II |
3.00 |
|
|
Career Development for Musicians II |
1.50 |
|
|
MUSC 1175 or MUSC Ensemble (see note) |
MUSC 1175 (Music Technology for Live Bands) or any MUSC Ensemble course |
1.00-2.00 |
|
Semester III |
||
|
Career Development for Musicians III |
1.50 |
|
|
Advanced Audio Recording II |
4.00 |
|
|
Sequencing and Synthesis II |
3.00 |
|
|
Music for Film and Video II |
2.00 |
|
|
Live Sound and Recording I |
2.00 |
|
|
MUSC Ensemble (see note) |
Any MUSC Ensemble course |
1.00-2.00 |
|
Semester IV |
||
|
Advanced Business Communication |
3.00 |
|
|
Mixing, Mastering and Surround Sound |
3.00 |
|
|
Electronic Music Production |
3.00 |
|
|
Music for Interactive Media |
2.00 |
|
|
Live Sound and Recording II |
2.00 |
|
|
Final Technology Project |
3.00 |
|
|
MUSC Ensemble (see note) |
Any MUSC Ensemble course |
1.00-2.00 |
|
Total Credits |
63.50- 67.50 |
|
Note: Students will:
- be assigned MUSC 1175 (Music Technology for Live Bands) in either semester one or semester two and
- take an ensemble course (listed below) in each of the other semesters.
MUSC 1130 (Concert Band I)
MUSC 1134 (Chamber Ensemble I)
MUSC 1135 (Beginning Instrumental Ensemble I)
MUSC 1137 (Jazz Ensemble I)
MUSC 1140 (Chorus I)
MUSC 1144 (Chorale I)
MUSC 1145 (Beginning Choral Ensemble I)
MUSC 1177 (Fusion Band I)
MUSC 1184 (Percussion Ensemble I)
MUSC 1185 (Guitar Ensemble I)
MUSC 1230 (Concert Band II)
MUSC 1234 (Chamber Ensemble II)
MUSC 1235 (Beginning Instrumental Ensemble II)
MUSC 1237 (Jazz Ensemble II)
MUSC 1240 (Chorus II)
MUSC 1244 (Chorale II)
MUSC 1245 (Beginning Choral Ensemble II)
MUSC 1277 (Fusion Band II)
MUSC 1284 (Percussion Ensemble II)
MUSC 1285 (Guitar Ensemble II)
MUSC 2177 (Fusion Band III)
MUSC 2330 (Concert Band III)
MUSC 2334 (Chamber Ensemble III)
MUSC 2337 (Jazz Ensemble III)
MUSC 2340 (Chorus III)
MUSC 2344 (Chorale III)
MUSC 2384 (Percussion Ensemble III)
MUSC 2385 (Guitar Ensemble III)
MUSC 2277 (Fusion Band IV)
MUSC 2430 (Concert Band IV)
MUSC 2434 (Chamber Ensemble IV)
MUSC 2437 (Jazz Ensemble IV)
MUSC 2440 (Chorus IV)
MUSC 2444 (Chorale IV)
MUSC 2484 (Percussion Ensemble IV)
MUSC 2485 (Guitar Ensemble IV)
Program Guidelines
Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
FAQs
To assess your abilities, we will conduct an audition, technology assessment and music literacy assessment. You may be able to waive these prerequisites if you have completed certain music technology or theory courses (either at Douglas or another post-secondary institution). If you need to upgrade your technology or theory skills before applying, you may be able to do so through the Douglas College Community Music School.
Check the Music Technology audition page for more information and to register.
We strongly encourage all potential MTC students to prepare in advance for the technology, performance and literacy assessments. Fully qualified applicants will be accepted first. However, we do understand that there are some talented and motivated students who may not have had the opportunity to prepare for all three components. If you don't pass all three assessments there may still be options available:
Take the MTC Prep classes.
Take lessons or classes in music literacy and rewrite the test.
Upgrade on your own and rewrite the test(s). (We can suggest some resources).
Plan to take a Basic Theory course in September as an MTC elective.
Please note that the above options will only be available in the event the MTC program does not fill in April!
The program is four semesters and takes 2 years to complete.
Currently, this is the only program of this kind at a public post-secondary institution in BC.
Due to the intensive nature of the program, we do not recommend that you work while taking this program. Some out of class commitment will be required. However, some MTC students have successfully completed the program while working part-time. If you must work while attending the MTC, we suggest that you ensure that your work schedule does not conflict with scheduled MTC classes and activities.
Graduates of this program will possess valuable skills that will help them prepare for a variety of roles, including:
- freelance professional musicians
- composition for film or tv
- studio engineers
- arrangers
- music educators
- producers
- music retail
- live sound engineers
There is very strong interest in this program, and interested students are advised to apply as early as possible. Applications will be considered on a first-come first-served basis until the program is full.
More Information
Tuition deposit
When offered a full-time seat in this program a non-refundable, non-transferable $350 tuition deposit is required.
Career Pathways
Career opportunities include:
- Audio Engineer (A1)
- Audio Engineer (A2)
- Audio Post-Production
- Audio Producer
- Audio Technician
- Game Audio Production
- General Audio Video Technician
- Live Audio Engineer, FOH
- Live Audio Engineer, Monitors
- Sound Designer
- Studio Audio Engineer