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Recording Arts/Audio Production Entrance Application Process

Recording Studio CU-815

(printable Adobe PDF application information)

Who needs to apply?

Any student entering the College of Arts & Media who is interested in pursuing a BS in Music with an emphasis in MIS-Technology or Recording Arts.  Students who should consider applying during the Fall 2009 semester are those students who are interested in taking the 3000/4000 level Audio Production courses (e.g. Audio Production III, Surround Sound, etc.) in the Spring 2010 semester AND who have fulfilled all the other entrance requirements (junior standing, completion of required coursework).  Please see the section on “What is Required to Apply?” to see if you qualify.  Students who have previously applied and been accepted into the Audio focus do not need to re-apply.  Students who have previously applied but were denied entrance must re-apply.  No student is able to take the upper division courses in this area without being accepted into the program.

Why do I need to apply?

The Recording Arts and MIS-Tech emphases have grown at a tremendous pace since the College of Arts & Media was formed.  In order to provide the best quality education we can, with the facilities and faculty available, the number of students entering the program must be limited.  Some students will not be accepted. However, by increasing competition for entrance, all of the MEIS degrees will have more value in the marketplace.

What is required to apply?

1.  Application form.  Available online at http://cam.ucdenver.edu/meis/techapplication/Application_for_UD_Audio_Production_101.pdf or in ARTS 288.

2.  Cumulative GPA.  This component is worth 50% of the total score.  It includes all courses taken at all institutions.  Students must provide copies of all transcripts with their application (unofficial copies are sufficient).  Minimum GPA needed for consideration will depend on applicant pool.

3.  Audio Production Entrance Exam.  This component is worth the other 50% of the total score.  This 100-question, multiple-choice test includes information from MUS 2470 Music Applications on the Computer, MUS 2540 Audio Production I, and MUS 2560 Audio Production II.  It will cover acoustics/physics of sound/hearing, microphones, consoles, signal processing, digital audio and MIDI.  It will cover all required class readings.  Average scores are expected to be 50 out of 100, which reflects the difficult and all-inclusive nature of the exam.  Scores are automatically forwarded to committee.  Students are encouraged to review their notes and readings, as well as the following texts: Modern Recording Techniques, Sixth Edition by David Miles Huber and Robert E. Runstein; Audio in Media, Seventh Edition by Stanley R. Alten. 

Students must RSVP online to be eligible to take the exam:http://cam.ucdenver.edu/DWforms/raentranceexamformS10.htm. Deadline to RSVP for the Fall 2009 exam is 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 23, 2009.

4.  Required coursework.  Students will need to complete, or be enrolled in the following courses during the semester in which they are applying for acceptance (completed with a C/2.0 or better):

  • PMUS 1100    Theory I (3 credits)
  • PMUS 1110    Ear Training/Sight Singing I (1 credit) 
  • PMUS 1023    Piano Class: Any Level (1 credit)
  • PMUS 1023    Piano Class Level II or IV (1 credit)
  • PMUS 3830/1 History & Literature of Music I or II (3 credits)
  • MUS 2700 Introduction to the Music Business (3 credits)
  • MUS 2470 Music Applications on the Computer (3 credits)
  • MUS 2450 Audio Production I (3 credits)
  • MUS 2560 Audio Production II (4 credits)

5.   Junior or Senior standing.  Students must have completed a minimum of 60.0 total credits by the start of the Spring 2010 semester, with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

6.  Essay.  Essays are optional, and are to be used to address GPA deficiencies only.  Essays must be well-written (please consult the Writing Center), no more than 1 page in length, and typed.  Essays must describe legitimate and verifiable external factors that contributed to poor performance (e.g. change of major from difficult program or transfer from rigorous institution, death in immediate family, serious illness, etc.).

How do I apply?

How many students are accepted each year?

This will vary from year to year, depending on the number of students in the program and the desired balance of undergraduate and graduate students.  It is anticipated that between 40 and 50 students will be accepted each year.  However, this is subject to change.

Who makes the decision about who is accepted?

A committee comprised of faculty in the area of Recording Arts/Audio Production will review the applications and determine acceptance.

Any advice?

  • Do well in your courses – including all major courses and general education, as GPA is worth half the score.
  • Take the exam seriously – review all of your notes, readings and demonstrations.

What happens if I am not accepted?

  • Students may choose to pursue any of the following emphasis areas: MIS-Business, Music Business, or Performance (be aware that the last two require a music audition).
  • Students may choose to apply again the following semester. Students are allowed to apply one additional time. However, there is no preference given to these students nor is there a guarantee that they will be accepted.
  • If students choose to switch majors completely (a major outside of Music), students will have completed a Minor in Music Industry Studies (MIS).


Please contact a CAM advisor for more information.