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Dallas College

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Recording Technology A.A.S.

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Program Available at:

  • Cedar Valley

Catalog Year 2021-2022 You may use this pathway if you entered Dallas College on or before this date.

Degree Type Associate of Applied Science

GPA Requirement Student must earn a GPA of 2.0 or higher

TSI Must be Complete

For more information, visit the Dallas College Commercial Music webpage and your academic advisor at the Cedar Valley Campus.

This is an example course sequence for students interested in pursuing Recording Technology. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. Following this pathway will help you earn an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Recording Technology. Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours (15 hours) required for graduation through instruction by Dallas College. See catalog for official degree requirements.

The A.A.S. degree in Recording Technology is designed to prepare commercial musicians with additional skills in the field of recording technology and to prepare those with an interest in recording and live sound reinforcement for entry into the field. In addition to preparing the student in vocal or instrumental commercial music techniques, training is provided in essential recording and sound reinforcement skills such as microphone selection and placement, mix down techniques, master recording production, studio techniques, session procedures, and troubleshooting. Emphasis is placed on the specific needs of the commercial musician in the field of recording. Courses that complete the degree, Recording Technology (One-Year Certificate) (C1) and Recording Technology Level II (C2) Certificates are noted below.

SEMESTER-BY-SEMESTER MAP FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS

All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students. This is not an official degree plan. See catalog for official degree requirements.

AAS DEGREE MINIMUM: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

SEMESTER 1

MUSC 1313 – Commercial Music Theory I (Course also applies to C1)

MUSC 1327 – Audio Engineering I (Course also applies to C1, C2)

MUSC 2141 – Forum/Recital Intended for repeatability for advanced practice. (Course also applies to C2)

SPCH 1311 – Introduction to Speech Communication This is a Core course. (Course also applies to C2)

MUSI 1310 – American Music This is a Core course. (Course also applies to C2)

CHOOSE ONE:   

  • MUSP 2103 – Commercial Class Piano (Course also applies to C1)
  • MUSP 1110 – Applied Commercial Music: Piano (Course also applies to C1) OR
  • MUSP 1123 – Applied Commercial Music: Synthesizer (Course also applies to C1)

CHOOSE ONE:   

  • COMMERCIAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE ELECTIVE* (Course also applies to C2) OR
  • APPLIED COMMERCIAL MUSIC ELECTIVE**

* Commercial Music Ensemble Elective courses must be selected from the following:  MUSP 1142, MUSP 1150, MUSP 1151, MUSP 1153, or MUSP 2106

** Applied Commercial Music Elective must be selected from the following:  MUSP 1101, MUSP 1104, MUSP 1105, MUSP 1110, MUSP 1117, MUSP 1123, MUSP 1127, MUSP 1201, MUSP 1204, MUSP 1205, MUSP 1210, MUSP 1217, MUSP 1223, MUSP 1227

SEMESTER 1 ACTION ITEMS

  1. NOTE: MUSC 1303 is required to earn the Recording Technology Level II Certificate.
  2. Meet with your advisor to confirm academic and career goals before the end of the semester.
  3. Meet with a career advisor or coach to research your career options and opportunities for job shadowing.

​Total Hours: 15​

SEMESTER 2

MUSC 1311 – Commercial Music Sight Singing and Ear Training I

RTVB 2343 – Commercial Recording Techniques (Course also applies to C1, C2)

MUSC 2427 – Audio Engineering II (Course also applies to C1, C2)

MUSC 2141 – Forum/Recital Intended for repeatability for advanced practice. (Course also applies to C1, C2)

ENGL 1301 – Composition I This is a Core course. Must earn a grade of "C" or better. (Course also applies to C2)

CHOOSE TWO HOURS: 

  • COMMERCIAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE ELECTIVE* OR
  • APPLIED COMMERCIAL MUSIC ELECTIVE**

* Commercial Music Ensemble Elective courses must be selected from the following:  MUSP 1142, MUSP 1150, MUSP 1151, MUSP 1153, or MUSP 2106

** Applied Commercial Music Elective must be selected from the following:  MUSP 1101, MUSP 1104, MUSP 1105, MUSP 1110, MUSP 1117, MUSP 1123, MUSP 1127, MUSP 1201, MUSP 1204, MUSP 1205, MUSP 1210, MUSP 1217, MUSP 1223, MUSP 1227

SEMESTER 2 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with your advisor to request an official program of study audit and confirm or update your academic/career path and program of study.
  2. Meet with a music faculty or career advisor regarding placement for the Cooperative Education course.

Total Hours: 16

SEMESTER 3

MUSC 1331 – Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) I (Course also applies to C1, C2)

MUSC 2141 – Forum/Recital Intended for repeatability for advanced practice.

MUSC 2447 – Audio Engineering III (Course also applies to C2)

MATH 1332– Contemporary Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning) This is a Core course. Must earn a grade of "C" or better.

CHOOSE ONE:   

  • RTVB 1392 – Special Topics in Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician OR
  • RTVB 1380 – Cooperative Education–Radio and Television

CHOOSE ONE:   

  • COMMERCIAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE ELECTIVE* OR
  • APPLIED COMMERCIAL MUSIC ELECTIVE**

* Commercial Music Ensemble Elective courses must be selected from the following:  MUSP 1142, MUSP 1150, MUSP 1151, MUSP 1153, or MUSP 2106

** Applied Commercial Music Elective must be selected from the following:  MUSP 1101, MUSP 1104, MUSP 1105, MUSP 1110, MUSP 1117, MUSP 1123, MUSP 1127, MUSP 1201, MUSP 1204, MUSP 1205, MUSP 1210, MUSP 1217, MUSP 1223, MUSP 1227

SEMESTER 3 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with a music faculty or career advisor regarding placement for the Cooperative Education course.
  2. Meet with a career advisor or coach for assistance in preparing for job search.

Total Hours: 15

SEMESTER 4

MUSC 2141 – Forum/Recital Intended for repeatability for advanced practice.

MUSB 1305 – Survey of the Music Business (Course also applies to C1, C2)

MUSC 2448 – Audio Engineering IV (Course also applies to C2)

PSYC 2301 – General Psychology This is a Core course.

CHOOSE ONE:   

  • ​RTVB 1392 – Special Topics in Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician OR
  • RTVB 1381 – Cooperative Education–Radio and Television

SEMESTER 4 ACTION ITEMS

  1. After reviewing your degree plan and program of study, apply for Graduation.
  2. Meet with your advisor to apply for the Recording Technology A.A.S., Recording Technology (One-Year Certificate), and Recording Technology Level II Certificate.
  3. Sign up for commencement.
  4. Join the Alumni Network!

Total Hours: 14

PATHWAY TOTAL: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

Updated August 10, 2025