Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree - Music Scoring & Composition

Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

MFA Thesis Project

Plan an original portfolio of work worthy of the MFA degree
Complete an original MFA thesis which represents an advanced level of achievement in the field of music creation for visual media
Listening Skills and Critical Thinking

Think critically and demonstrate flexibility in creating or editing music for client needs
Music Composition

Orchestrate and arrange music at a professional level
Write or edit music for different visual environments (such as film, television, animation, games, multimedia, and commercials) at a professional level
Create music which supports or heightens the emotional impacts of visual images (or visual material)
Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the language of music: harmony, melody, and rhythm
Production Skills and Technical Knowledge

Demonstrate expert-level proficiency with software related to contemporary music production techniques
Professional Readiness

Present a comprehensive demo reel / portfolio demonstrating professional-level achievement
Collaborate effectively with a creative team on a given project, such as a film, television show, animation, game, multimedia project, or commercial
Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:

Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.

MFA Music Scoring & Composition Degree Requirements

Successful completion of Final Thesis Project
Minimum grade of C in all required 63 units
Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirements:
1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic Sensitivity course
1 Cross Cultural Understanding course