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This 128-credit program offers a complete education in music, sound engineering, music production, electronic music, and the liberal arts. Taught by industry leaders and working professionals, you’ll develop an interdisciplinary knowledge of state-of-the-art tools, techniques, and listening and recording protocols, uniquely preparing you for careers in sound engineering, film scoring, multimedia, and software development.

Core Course Sequence

College Core Curriculum (CORE)

NYU’s College Core Curriculum provides undergraduates a foundational academic experience  in the liberal arts, including courses in expository writing, foreign language, and foundations of contemporary culture and scientific inquiry. In addition to these subject areas, you’ll have the opportunity to explore liberal arts electives, gaining the skills and breadth of intellectual perspective to flourish in your major program of study and, later as a successful professional in the field. 

Major Requirements

Fundamental offerings in music history and theory are complemented by innovative offerings in music technology, with coursework exploring recording technology and audio for video. You’ll also have the opportunity to specialize in recording and production, hardware and software, or electronic performance.

Program Requirements

Course Title Credits
Liberal Arts Requirements
Foreign Language
Select four credits of a foreign language4
Expository Writing
EXPOS-UA 1Writing as Inquiry4
ACE-UE 110Advanced College Essay: Educ & The Professions4
Foundations of Contemporary Culture
Select one of the following:4
Cultures and Contexts
Expressive Culture
Texts and Ideas
Societies & Social Sciences
Foundations of Scientific Inquiry
Math/Computer Science (by advisement)8
Physical Science OR Life Science4
Other Liberal Arts Requirements
MPATC-UE 1068Music History II: Baroque & Classical2
MPATC-UE 1077Music History III2
Select four credits of the following:4
MPATC-UE 1067
Music History I
MPATC-UE 1078
Music History IV: Twentieth Century
MPAVP-UE 1351
Music Theatre Hist I
MPAVP-UE 1352
Music Theatre Hist II
MPATC-UE 1500
Film Music: Historical Aesthetics/Perspectives
MPATC-UE 1195
Songwriting History and Criticism: 14 Songs I (14 Songs)
MPATC-UE 1196
Songwriting History and Criticism: 14 Songs II
MPAJZ-UE 1121
Jazz History
Liberal Arts Electives
Select four credits of Liberal Arts Electives4
Additional Requirements
SAHS-UE 1New Student Seminar0
Writing Proficiency Examination0
Major Requirements
Music Core Requirements
MPATC-UE 1301Theory & Practice I: Global Approaches to Music 12
MPATC-UE 1302Aural Skills I: Global Approaches to Music1
MPAPE-UE 72Keyboard Skills I1
MPAPE-UE 73Keyboard Skills II1
Private Instruction: Choose an instrument of your choice (Lessons are 2 or 3 credits per semester)6
Performance Ensembles4
Theory & Practice II and Aural Skills II (select one set of courses from the two options below)3
MPATC-UE 1311
MPATC-UE 1321
Theory & Practice II: Tonal Harmony & Voice Leading
and Aural Skills II: Tonal Harmony & Voice Leading
OR
MPATC-UE 1312
MPATC-UE 1322
Theory & Practice II: Popular Music
and Aural Skills II: Popular Music
Advanced Aural Skills
Select one course from the following:1
MPATC-UE 1341
Advanced Aural Skills: Chromatic Harmony
MPATC-UE 1342
Advanced Aural Skills: Post Tonal and Extended Chromaticism
MPATC-UE 1343
Advanced Aural Skills: Sight-Singing
MPATC-UE 1344
Advanced Aural Skills: Popular Music Transcription
Advanced Theory and Practice
Select two courses from following:4
MPATC-UE 1331
Advanced Theory & Practice: Chromatic Harmony & Form
MPATC-UE 1332
Advanced Theory & Practice: Post Tonal and Contemporary Music
MPATC-UE 1333
Advanced Theory & Practice: Non-Western Music
MPATC-UE 1334
Advanced Theory & Practice: Counterpoint in the Digital Age
Music Technology Core Requirements
MPATE-UE 1801Fundamentals of Music Technology2
MPATE-UE 1037Elect Music Synthesis: Fundamental Techn3
MPATE-UE 1047Comp Music Synthesis: Fundamental Techniques3
MPATE-UE 1817Analog Electronics3
MPATE-UE 1827Analog Electronics Lab1
MPATE-UE 1818Digital Electronics3
MPATE-UE 1828Digital Electronics Lab1
MPATE-UE 1001Analog Recording Technology3
MPATE-UE 1003Digital Recording Technology3
MPATE-UE 1010Introduction to Audio for Video2
MPATE-UE 1011Concert Recording2
MPATE-UE 1820Internship in Music Technology3
MPATE-UE 1900Music Technology Undergraduate Capstone Project (1-credit course taken twice for a total of 2 credits)2
Music Technology Guided Specialization
Chosen by advisement. Sample courses by area of interest: Recording and Production, Hardware/Software, Electronic Performance.17
Unrestricted Electives
Select 17 Unrestricted Elective credits by advisement, for Double Majors, Minors, Music Electives17
Total Credits128
1

Students are placed into MPATC-UE 1301 through a placement exam. Students who do not place into this course will first enroll in MPATC-UE 1300 Music Fundamentals. 

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
MPAXX-UE XX Lesson 3
EXPOS-UA 1 Writing as Inquiry 4
CORE-UA/CSCI-UA Math/Comp Sci 4
MPATE-UE 1801 Fundamentals of Music Technology 2
MPATE-UE 1047
or MPATE-UE 1037
Comp Music Synthesis: Fundamental Techniques
or Elect Music Synthesis: Fundamental Techn
3
 Credits16
2nd Semester/Term
MPATC-UE 1301 Theory & Practice I: Global Approaches to Music 2
MPATC-UE 1302 Aural Skills I: Global Approaches to Music 1
MPAPE-UE 72 Keyboard Skills I 1
MPATC-UE XX Music Hist Elective 2
ACE-UE 110 Advanced College Essay: Educ & The Professions 4
CORE-UA/CSCI-UA Math/Comp Sci 4
MPATE-UE 1817
MPATE-UE 1827
Analog Electronics
and Analog Electronics Lab
4
 Credits18
3rd Semester/Term
MPATC-UE 1311/1312 Theory & Practice II: Tonal Harmony & Voice Leading 2
MPATC-UE 1321/1322 Aural Skills II: Tonal Harmony & Voice Leading 1
MPAPE-UE 72 Keyboard Skills I 1
MPATC-UE 1068 Music History II: Baroque & Classical 2
CORE-UA 2xx/3xx Natural Science 4
MPATE-UE 1818
MPATE-UE 1828
Digital Electronics
and Digital Electronics Lab
4
MPATE-UE 1001 Analog Recording Technology 3
 Credits17
4th Semester/Term
MPATC-UE 1331 Advanced Theory & Practice: Chromatic Harmony & Form 2
MPATC-UE 1341 Advanced Aural Skills: Chromatic Harmony 1
MPATC-UE XX Music Hist Elective 2
Foreign Language 4
Texts and Ideas 4
MPAXX-UE XX Guided Spec 3
 Credits16
5th Semester/Term
MPATC-UE 1332 Advanced Theory & Practice: Post Tonal and Contemporary Music 2
MPAXX-UE XX Ensemble 2
MPATC-UE 1077 Music History III 2
MPATE-UE 1047
or MPATE-UE 1037
Comp Music Synthesis: Fundamental Techniques
or Elect Music Synthesis: Fundamental Techn
3
MPATE-UE 1003 Digital Recording Technology 3
MPATE-UE 1010 Introduction to Audio for Video 2
MPAXX-UE XX Guided Spec 3
 Credits17
6th Semester/Term
MPAXX-UE XX Lesson 3
MPAXX-UE XX Ensemble 2
MPATE-UE 1011 Concert Recording 2
MPAXX-UE XX Guided Spec 3
Unrestricted Electives 4
Unrestricted Electives 4
 Credits18
7th Semester/Term
XXXX-UA Liberal Arts Elect 4
MPATE-UE 1900 Music Technology Undergraduate Capstone Project 1
MPATE-UE 1820 Internship in Music Technology 3
MPAXX-UE XX Guided Spec 2
Unrestricted Electives 3
 Credits13
8th Semester/Term
MPATE-UE 1900 Music Technology Undergraduate Capstone Project (presentation) 1
MPAXX-UE XX Guided Spec 3
MPAXX-UE XX Guided Spec 3
Unrestricted Electives 3
Unrestricted Electives 3
 Credits13
 Total Credits128

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