About this Program
Sound plays a vital role in how we experience music, film, games and digital media. From the rhythm of a hit song to the immersive audio of a blockbuster movie or video game, audio engineers and sound designers are the sonic experts who blend creativity with technical expertise to produce audio that captivates, communicates, and engages audiences.
In this three-course certificate program, you’ll gain the technical and creative skills to produce polished audio for music, film, and multimedia. You’ll study editing, mixing, mastering, and storage media, while interacting with acoustics, microphones, and studio workflows. As you learn to use industry-standard digital audio tools like Avid Pro Tools, you’ll build foundational skills you can use in music production, post-production, sound design and related fields.
Designed for
Those who want to enter or advance in the field of professional audio production.
See Requirements
Admission Requirements
To apply, you must have:
- The ability to learn and work with new technologies, including Avid Pro Tools, the primary digital audio workstation (DAW) used in this program (prior DAW experience is helpful but not required)
- Basic computer proficiency, including installing software and managing files
- The ability to complete assignments independently and contribute effectively to team projects
Time Commitment
You should expect to spend six to 10 hours a week on coursework, including weekly class meetings, depending on your level of experience.
English Proficiency
If English is not your native language, you should have at least intermediate English skills to enroll. To see if you qualify, make sure you are at the B2 level on the CEFR self-assessment grid. To learn more, see English Language Proficiency Requirements – Noncredit Programs.
International Students
Because this offering is 100% online, no visa is required and international students are welcome to apply. For more information, see Admission Requirements for International Students.
Technology Requirements
- Access to a Windows or Mac computer or laptop with a recent operating system and web browser; computer must meet the system requirements for running Avid Pro Tools
- 3 GB free hard drive space on personal computer, or an external hard drive to run and store class projects
- Avid Pro Tools (license provided)
- High-speed internet connection
- Studio-quality headphones (Recommended: Sony 7506, AKG K240, Shure SRH440; Beyerdynamic DT-770 or Audio-Technica ATH-M50x)
- Webcam (recommended)
- Audio interface for audio recording (recommended)
Earning the Certificate
You earn a certificate of completion by successfully completing all required courses. For more information, see Earning the Certificate.
What you'll learn
- The physics and terminology of sound
- Elements of sound production, including signal processing, MIDI and synchronization
- Techniques for multi-track recording and overdubs
- Software-based production techniques to create digital audio files
- How to use sophisticated audio recording software, including Pro Tools Studio
hands-on experience
- Complete a music production and/or film/video post-production project
- Consider creative, ethical and transparent uses of AI in audio production
- Participate in special Saturday sessions on plug-ins and location sound for film and video
APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP
You may be eligible to apply for a UW Certificate Scholarship or Rotary Scholarship to cover most of the costs of this program. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need and the potential of the program to positively impact your career. For more information, see the Scholarships page.
Career Stats
10%
Projected job growth for sound engineering technicians in Washington state (2024-2034)
$118,976
Median salary for sound engineering technicians in Washington state (2023)
OUR ENROLLMENT COACHES ARE HERE TO HELP
Connect with an enrollment coach to learn more about this offering. Or if you need help finding the right certificate, specialization or course for you, reach out to explore your options.