Dr. Michael Musick is interim dean of the College of the Arts and Media (CAM), of which SVMA is a part. He transplanted to Missoula in 2016 after obtaining his Ph.D. in Music Technology at New York University. Before stepping into the interim dean position, Dr. Musick was an associate professor of sound design and built the curriculum into a BFA degree.
Besides having the right name for the job, Dr. Musick has an infectious energy that reflects his deep passions and extensive knowledge. Some of his favorite subjects to discuss are machine learning, the pure soundscapes of Montana, and the evolving sound economy. But it’s talking about UM Sound Design that gets him most excited.
“Our program stands out because it takes advantage of the broad cross-section of faculty within the sound areas of the College of the Arts and Media. It’s a really interesting group of faculty that allows students to take advantage of the strengths our college has. Each of the schools in CAM is incredible, but when you look at the college as a whole, the portfolio of faculty and opportunities are incredibly significant.”
The Sound Design degree at the University of Montana begins with a broad curriculum covering a wide range of sonic studies. Many of these introductory classes are within the Audio Core of the Sound Design Degree, representing 19 of the 68 credits required to graduate.
| Course Code | Course Title |
| JRNL 140A | Intro Radio/Audio Storytelling |
| MART 245 | Introduction to the Language and Practice of Sonic Art |
| MART 345 | Sound for Film |
| MART 445 | Sound for Digital Media |
| MUST 210 | Sequencng, Synthesis, Sampling |
| MUST 310 | Interactivity and Digital Signal Processing |
Complete one of the following courses:
| Course Code | Course Title |
| MART 330 | Principles of Sound Design |
| MUSI 304A | Sound in the Natural World |
| THTR 365 | Theatre Sound |
Alongside the Audio Core, other Sound Design requirements include classes within subcategories like:
To complete the Sound Design Degree, students must choose a nine-credit Secondary Area of Interest that dives deep into a single component of the sonic arts. A senior project is also required before graduating, and you’ll have complete creative control over showcasing everything you’ve learned.
Recommend Secondary Areas of Interest:
Jobs with a Sound Design degree are as broad as the curriculum covered at the University of Montana. After graduating, you’ll qualify for several entry-level and mid-career sound design jobs, with increased earning power over time.
Some of the jobs with a Sound Design degree include:
In contrast to other degrees in sonic arts or sound arts, the BFA at the University of Montana includes Creative Coding classes, translating to better collaboration with technical teams.
“The goal with this degree is to create adaptable alumni. They have to take creative coding, so they are going to be dangerous enough when working with developers,” Dr. Musick said.
Besides having several pure landscapes unaltered by artificial sound, Montana’s growing experiential economy makes UM an excellent base camp for Sound Design graduates. Music festivals have increased yearly throughout the Treasure State, and a generous film tax credit increasingly invites major Hollywood and TV productions to explore our natural resources. (Think Kevin Costner and Yellowstone)
But more than anything, our individualized and catered nature makes the University of Montana the best college for a Sound Design degree. Our mid-size status means you’ll receive cutting-edge opportunities in Sound Design, and your professors will know who you are and help guide your interests. Set yourself up with a future that makes some noise!
Find out more about the stimulating world of the sonic arts with an undergraduate degree in Sound Design & Media Technology at the University of Montana.