Overview
In the Media Scoring and Production program, we are dedicated to not only providing the foundational skills necessary for the student to pursue a career in the media industry, but also to stimulate and encourage student awareness of their unique gifts as a creative musician. We accomplish this by promoting critical analysis and creative problem-solving skills throughout the program. Courses are designed to provide students with a cohesive program of study that incorporates both current and foreseeable trends – from the manipulation of sound through a digital audio workstation (DAW), the hybrid use of acoustic and electronic instruments, to the implementation and use of sound libraries and synthesizers that will best prepare students for competition in today’s industry. For more information, please visit the website for the Media Scoring and Production Program.
Applying to UOnline
How to Submit Your Application
When you decide to pursue a degree with UOnline, you’ll have a dedicated enrollment advisor to guide you through the application process. Follow the steps outlined below and contact your enrollment advisor with any questions.
Go to our online application.
Upload the following required documents in the upload section:
- Unofficial Transcript: Submit a copy of your transcript from all academic institutions attended.
- Résumé: Submit your most recent résumé that appropriately illustrates your professional experience.
- Personal Statement: Submit a one-page personal statement addressing your interest in the program concerning your professional background and career aspirations.
- Language Proficiency: International students who do not hold an undergraduate U.S. degree must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. For more information, please see the Student Handbook
3. REQUEST YOUR OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS
Request your transcripts electronically (preferred) or by regular mail:
to etranscripts@miami.edu, or mail it to:
Online Enrollment – Admissions Office
1320 S. Dixie Hwy, Suite 902
Locator – 2291
Coral Gables, FL 33146-2291
Please note: All graduate applicants who have attended a college or university outside the United States must submit official transcripts and diplomas (if available) from all colleges and universities attended to one of the three approved evaluation services (See International Students below).
4. OBTAIN THREE PROFESSIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Enter the names and contact information for two (2) people who can comment on your professional ability in the online application. Your references automatically receive an email to fill out your recommendation online. You can then track the status of each recommendation in the system. Recommendations must be received by the application deadline to be considered for admissions.
Click here for more info about financial aid and the scholarships available to our students. Our enrollment advisors are also available to help you every step of the way.
International Students (who attended college/university outside of the United States)
All graduate applicants who have attended a college or university outside the United States must submit official transcripts and diplomas (if available) from all colleges and universities attended to one of the three approved evaluation services listed below. Follow the specific instructions of the selected evaluation service to request a course-by-course evaluation with degree equivalency and grade point average (gpa) calculation. We do not issue any student Visa's for International UOnline students.
All online international students who have been admitted to an online program at the University of Miami are not eligible for an F-1 visa.
The evaluation report and copy of all the official documents used in the evaluation must be sent directly from one of the three approved evaluation services to the address below. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure their evaluation is sent to the correct address. Evaluations sent to other addresses on campus will not be received and will delay the admissions process.
University of Miami
Online Enrollment Office
1320 South Dixie Highway
Gables One Tower –Suite 902, Locator Code: 2991
Miami, FL 33146
The evaluation report and supporting documents are required before the Admissions Committee can review the application. Any documents received by the University will become the property of the University and will not be returned to the applicant or sent to a third party including the evaluation services.
Approved Evaluation Services
- Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
- World Education Services (WES)
- Josef Silny & Associates (JS&A)
6. For admission - A bachelor’s degree is required, preferably a Bachelor of Music from a regionally accredited institution, but regionally accredited bachelor’s degrees with other majors will also be considered.
7. Upload a portfolio containing the following: (Instructions for where to upload your materials will be emailed after submission of your application)
- At least three pieces of work (either film scores or productions) that you had an active participation in (ideally produced/wrote all of it).
- Also include a document with an explanation for what you did for each work – explaining the recording/editing/mixing process, what libraries you used, what the thought process was, etc.
Admission Decision Timeline
Once you have submitted your application, we will be in touch in the next two days.
If you are accepted to study online with the University of Miami, you have 24 hours to accept your offer and can then start your online student readiness orientation.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Area | ||
| MDE 630 | Entrepreneurship for Musicians | 3 |
| MSP 805 | Master's Media Scoring and Production Project | 3 |
| Choose 15 credits from either or both Emphases | 15 | |
| Media Scoring Emphasis | ||
| Virtual Orchestration | ||
| Media Scoring 1: Film Scoring Foundations | ||
| Media Scoring 2: Film Scoring Extensions | ||
| Video Game Scoring | ||
| Advanced Orchestration | ||
| Production Emphasis | ||
| Digital Audio and MIDI Production | ||
| Synthestration | ||
| Production 1: Recording and Production Techniques | ||
| Production 2: Audio FX Processing and Multitrack Mixing | ||
| Production 3: Advanced Production Seminar | ||
| Three Advisor-Approved Electives, at the 600/700 level | 9 | |
Graduate Music Course and/or Approved Electives | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Sample Plan of Study
Media Emphasis
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MSP 760 | Virtual Orchestration | 3 |
| MSP 761 | Media Scoring 1: Film Scoring Foundations | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| MSJ 714 | Advanced Orchestration | 3 |
| MSP 762 | Media Scoring 2: Film Scoring Extensions | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| MDE 630 | Entrepreneurship for Musicians | 3 |
| MSP 763 | Video Game Scoring | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Advisor Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Advisor Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Advisor Approved Elective | 3 | |
| MSP 805 | Master's Media Scoring and Production Project | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
* This is a suggested Plan of Study. Your actual course sequence may vary depending on your previous academic experience as well as current course offerings. Students should meet with their academic advisor each semester to determine the appropriate course selection.
Sample Plan of Study
Production Emphasis
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MSP 771 | Production 1: Recording and Production Techniques | 3 |
| MSP 770 | Synthestration | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| MSP 772 | Production 2: Audio FX Processing and Multitrack Mixing | 3 |
| Advisor Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| MDE 630 | Entrepreneurship for Musicians | 3 |
| MSP 773 | Production 3: Advanced Production Seminar | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Advisor Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Advisor Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Advisor Approved Elective | 3 | |
| MSP 805 | Master's Media Scoring and Production Project | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
*This is a suggested Plan of Study. Your actual course sequence may vary depending on your previous academic experience as well as current course offerings. Students should meet with their academic advisor each semester to determine the appropriate course selection.
Mission
The mission of the Media Scoring and Production Master of Music degree program is to prepare students for diverse careers in media scoring and music production through comprehensive and advanced training in composition, arrangement, and production. The program focuses on providing students with the technical skills and creative expertise necessary to excel as leaders in the industry.
Goals
The program emphasizes the following objectives:
- Students will graduate in a timely manner from the program.
- Students will be highly satisfied with their understanding of craft of creating music for media.
- Students will be prepared to find success in the media industry.
Student Learning Outcomes
- The student will develop and defend a portfolio of musical works and compose a detailed narrative of their process, demonstrating advanced competencies as a composer, arranger and producer of music commensurate with current contemporary/commercial music professionals.
- The student will demonstrate the ability to compose, arrange and produce of music for visual media in both virtual and acoustic formats, and prepare all deliverables including digital assets, music preparation including score layout and final mixes conforming to delivery requirements commonly required in the contemporary/commercial music industry.
- The student will develop the ability to analyze and identify sonic problems encountered during the production of contemporary/commercial music. The student will demonstrate the skills necessary to execute viable solutions through advanced competencies in Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) techniques, including editing, signal processing and mixing.
