Program

Music Technology (Diploma)

Campus
New Westminster
Admission Type
Limited Enrolment
Offered
Fall

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 MIDI, sequencing and synthesis, audio recording, music for film, music scoring, studio setup and maintenance, career development and music ensembles, 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 sound engineering, music software, audio engineering, music production and more.

Early admission eligibility for university music students

Are you a university music student? If you have one or two years of university music training, you will most likely meet all of the prerequisites for this program and be eligible for early admission.

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.

Job opportunities

Surveys show that 82 percent of our Music Technology Diploma graduates are working in the field after graduation. (Source: B.C. Student Outcomes). Over 1,080 audio and video recording technician job openings are expected in B.C. for the next ten years.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:

  • General College Admission Requirements
  • Audition: All Music Technology Diploma students must demonstrate competency on an instrument or voice. There is no set music grade level requirement and no limits on genre or style of music. Music Technology Diploma students are required to participate in at least one College ensemble each term, and will be expected to participate in student recording sessions. These factors will be considered when assessing student auditions. For those living outside the Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley area, it may be possible to set up a Skype audition.
  • Music Literacy: The student will be given a music literacy assessment test. Those with advanced theory and musicianship knowledge will be given the option to choose electives in place of one or both Contemporary Musicianship classes, in consultation with the program Co-ordinator.
  • Technology Competency: The student must demonstrate a basic knowledge of music technology through completion of MUSC 1182, or the Technology Competency Assessment test, or by upgrading skills in this area by taking preparatory courses through the Community Music School.

 

Cost

You can get an average cost for your program - tuition and student fees, books, uniforms, lab fees etc - on the Program Cost page. 

Only programs approved for student loan funding are listed on the Program Cost page. For all other programs, refer to the Tuition Fee page.

Program Requirements

Curriculum Framework

Graduation Requirements

  • Successful completion of 63.50 credits
  • 25% (16 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College

Course Requirements:

Course Number Course Title Credits

Semester I

MUSC 1170

Audio Recording Techniques

4.00

MUSC 1171

Sequencing and Synthesis I

3.00

MUSC 1172

Professional Score Production

1.50

MUSC 1173

Studio Setup and Maintenance I

1.50

MUSC 1176

Applied Popular Theory I

3.00

PEFA 1139

Career Development for Musicians I

1.50

Semester I credits

 

14.50

Semester II

MUSC 1270

Advanced Audio Recording I

4.00

MUSC 1271

Advanced Sound Applications

3.00

MUSC 1272

Music for Film and Video

2.00

MUSC 1273

Studio Setup and Maintenance II

1.50

MUSC 1276

Applied Popular Theory II

3.00

PEFA 1239

Career Development for Musicians II

1.50

Semester II credits

 

15.00

Semester III

MARK 1120

Introductory Marketing

3.00

MUSC 2170

Advanced Audio Recording II

4.00

MUSC 2171

Sequencing and Synthesis II

3.00

MUSC 2172

Music for Film and Video II

2.00

MUSC 2173

Live Sound and Recording I

2.00

Semester III credits

 

14.00

Semester IV

CMNS 1276

Communications for Arts Entrepreneurs

3.00

MUSC 2270

Mixing, Mastering and Surround Sound

3.00

MUSC 2271

Electronic Music Production

3.00

MUSC 2272

Music for Interactive Media

2.00

MUSC 2273

Live Sound and Recording II

2.00

MUSC 2275

Final Technology Project

3.00

Semester IV credits

 

16.00

Select four courses from the following Ensemble courses:

MUSC 1130

Concert Band I

2.00

MUSC 1134

Chamber Ensemble I

1.00

MUSC 1135

Beginning Instrumental Ensemble I

1.50

MUSC 1137

Jazz Ensemble I

1.50

MUSC 1140

Chorus I

2.00

MUSC 1144

Chorale I

2.00

MUSC 1145

Beginning Choral Ensemble I

1.50

MUSC 1177

Fusion Band I

1.50

MUSC 1184

Percussion Ensemble I

1.50

MUSC 1185

Guitar Ensemble I

1.50

MUSC 1230

Concert Band II

2.00

MUSC 1234

Chamber Ensemble II

1.00

MUSC 1235

Beginning Instrumental Ensemble II

1.50

MUSC 1237

Jazz Ensemble II

1.50

MUSC 1240

Chorus II

2.00

MUSC 1244

Chorale II

2.00

MUSC 1245

Beginning Choral Ensemble II

1.50

MUSC 1277

Fusion Band II

1.50

MUSC 1284

Percussion Ensemble II

1.50

MUSC 1285

Guitar Ensemble II

1.50

MUSC 2177

Fusion Band III

1.50

MUSC 2330

Concert Band III

2.00

MUSC 2334

Chamber Ensemble III

1.00

MUSC 2337

Jazz Ensemble III

1.50

MUSC 2340

Chorus III

2.00

MUSC 2344

Chorale III

2.00

MUSC 2384

Percussion Ensemble III

1.50

MUSC 2385

Guitar Ensemble III

1.50

MUSC 2277

Fusion Band IV

1.50

MUSC 2430

Concert Band IV

2.00

MUSC 2434

Chamber Ensemble IV

1.00

MUSC 2437

Jazz Ensemble IV

1.50

MUSC 2440

Chorus IV

2.00

MUSC 2444

Chorale IV

2.00

MUSC 2484

Percussion Ensemble IV

1.50

MUSC 2485

Guitar Ensemble IV

1.50

Total Program Credits

 

63.50

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)
  • Live Audio Engineer, FOH
  • Live Audio Engineer, Monitors
  • General Audio Video Technician 
  • Studio Audio Engineer 
  • Audio Producer
  • Sound Designer
  • Game Audio Production
  • Audio Postproduction
  • Audio Technician