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Sound Arts and Industries Curriculum

The MA in Sound Arts and Industries is a distinctive, interdisciplinary program combining sound theory and history with modern sound practice using the unique capabilities of Northwestern as a major research university in the Chicago area.

  • Students interested in music production can take advantage of well-equipped studios and mentorship from professionals working in audio engineering, mixing and mastering and composition. The curriculum emphasizes both creative artistry and technical skills, allowing students to develop original tracks, score media, and collaborate across disciplines.
  • Those looking to break into the video game industry can learn from experienced professionals, participate in game jams, and connect with a vibrant local gaming community through networking events in Chicago.
  • Students interested in film sound gain access to advanced techniques and master classes led by industry experts, collaborating with Northwestern student filmmakers on real-world projects.
  • Students interested in sound design for theater productions have opportunities to collaborate with the Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts, Northwestern’s premier producing organization. They can contribute to theatrical productions through sound design, original composition and live audio support.
  • Students focused on podcasting and audio drama explore the history of radio, documentary storytelling, editing and production techniques while enjoying the opportunity to attend local festivals and produce work of their own, interning with producers and broadcasters.
  • Professionals already established in one area of sound practice can expand into new media, diversifying their skills and creative portfolios.
  • Students with a background in the sciences can deepen their skills in science communication, creating compelling podcasts and documentaries that share research and lab work with broader audiences. Students without a background in science have an opportunity to learn the approaches and techniques of specialists in neurobiology, electronics and acoustics.
  • For those pursuing academic careers, the program offers a foundation in sound studies, with opportunities to work alongside renowned scholars, writers, and archivists—contributing to an emerging interdisciplinary focus on sonic cultures.

Sound Arts and Industries Degree Requirements

All full-time students take 3 credits per quarter for 4 quarters.

Required Courses:

  • SAI 500 Introduction to Sound Studies @ 1 credit
  • SAI 501 Introduction to Sound Production @ 1 credit
  • SAI 502 Introduction to Sound Science @ 1 credit
  • SAI 580 Designing Careers in Sound @ 1 credit
  • Summer Experience
    • SAI 581 Internship Seminar @ 1 or 2 credits depending on internship hours
    • OR
    • SAI 582 Thesis @ 1 credit
  • 7 Elective Courses @ 1 credit each (*6 elective courses for students with 2-credit internships)

TOTAL REQUIRED: 12 credits

Additional Requirements:

  • Quarterly Meeting with EPICS Career Advisor
  • Spring Symposium Project
  • All students are expected to maintain a B average

Courses

The five core courses of the MA in Sound Arts and Industries curriculum – in sound studies, sound production, sound science and career development in sound – embody the innovative approach to sound that is only available at Northwestern. You will work with artists and designers to develop skills in recording and mixing audio. You will acquire deep knowledge of the culture and politics of sound from scholars and historians. You will study with researchers to understand at least one of the key sciences involved in hearing, such as acoustics, neurophysiology and electronics. You will also learn about the workings of the sound industries from Northwestern faculty as well as visiting artists and executives.

When you leave the program, you will have an understanding of sound that extends from the neurons in your brain, to the waves in the air, to performances that convene audiences, to the technologies and industries that carry those sounds around the world.

Learn more about the faculty of the MA in Sound Arts and Industries on our faculty page.

Required Courses (5)

SAI 500 – Introduction to Sound Studies (1 credit)

A grounding in Sound Studies designed for sound professionals, bringing together research that analyzes sound as a creative practice, a powerful form of cultural expression, and as a sensory mode integral to our lives. Students take this course at the same time as the production course SAI 501. As a result, students are prompted to simultaneously learn how sound works and how sound means, an interplay that is unique to our program. Students will be introduced to a range of sound-based industries and learn how they work together.

SAI 501 – Introduction to Sound Production (1 credit)

Covers the central skills used by sound professionals working across a variety of audio-related professions. The class will be divided into three main sections: 1) fundamentals of sound (from the production standpoint), 2) analog audio technology, and 3) digital audio technology. In each section, learning will be reinforced by hands-on demonstrations in the studio and the classroom.

SAI 502 – Introduction to Sound Science (1 credit)

Students choose at least one of the following Intro to Sound Science classes.

  • Sound Science Biology – Explores how speech and music are processed by the nervous system. Auditory learning and the brain’s ability to change with sonic experience will be explored through a range of case studies related to vocal learning (birdsong), auditory expertise (bilinguals and musicians), and training and remediation strategies for the treatment of communication difficulties. Students are shown the vital social implications of sound science through discussions of hearing health, music education, and clinical approaches to communication disorders.

OR

  • Sound Science Acoustics – Explores the principles of acoustics including the behavior of sound in a medium, how sound interacts with materials, and how we hear and process sound as it relates to our environment. Through an increased awareness of our aural environment, we can optimize the spaces in which sound art is produced and received. Students will gain an understanding of how the spaces they occupy when creating or presenting their work will impact the sound that is heard.

OR

  • Sound Science Electronics – Explores the core principles of analog electronics with a specialized focus on audio technology. Students will engage with the theoretical and practical aspects of circuit design, exploring essential components and signal processing techniques as applied to audio systems. The curriculum includes hands-on projects in which students will design and build custom sound synthesizers, effects processors, amplifier circuits, and professional-quality audio cables. By blending technical foundations with creative experimentation, the course equips students with the skills needed to innovate in both the artistic and engineering realms of audio electronics.

SAI 580 – Designing Careers in Sound (1 credit)

Equips students with the tools and strategies to navigate and advance their professional careers. Students will also focus on practical skills like resume and cover letter development, enhancing their online presence, networking, opportunity searching, and crafting their personal value proposition, all aimed at creating a comprehensive career portfolio. The course also offers opportunities to engage with School of Communication (SoC) alumni, industry leaders, and career professionals. Designed to help students articulate their unique professional identities, this course fosters growth and prepares them for success in dynamic creative industries.

Summer Experience (1 or 2 credits depending on internship hours)

  • SAI 581 – Internship Seminar – Students are responsible for securing their own internships, ideally beginning their search in the fall with guidance from the EPICS career coach liaison, as most opportunities arise in winter and spring. Internships must be directly related to the MA in Sound Arts and Industries curriculum. Students interning between 10-19 hours per week will earn 1 credit, while students interning 20-29+ hours per week have the option to earn up to 2 credits. Internships must be substantive and skill-building experience, with regular interaction and mentorship from professional staff over the 8-week Summer quarter.

OR

  • SAI 582 – Thesis – For students who do not pursue a summer internship, a thesis option is available, requiring the creation of an original research paper (20–40 pages) or audio project with a curatorial essay (8–12 pages), both properly formatted in Chicago or MLA style. Students must develop a proposal, dedicate a minimum of 15 hours per week to their work, submit weekly progress reports, and meet with an advisor at least twice for feedback and guidance.

Elective Courses (6 or 7)

To graduate, students must complete 6 or 7 elective credits (typically 6 or 7 courses). The total number of elective credits required depends on the number of internship credits earned: 

  • Students who earn 1 internship credit must complete 7 elective credits. 
  • Students who earn 2 internship credits must complete 6 elective credits. 
  • This structure allows students to tailor their academic experience while fulfilling graduation requirements. 

Note: The MA in Sound Arts and Industries does not accept transfer credits from other universities.

Sample electives (the asterisked courses are not offered each year):

  • Film Sound 1: Narrative
  • Film Sound 2: Experimental
  • Film Sound 3: Surround Sound
  • Art of the Podcast
  • Audio Drama
  • Documentary Radio
  • Podcast Studies*
  • Advanced Studio Production
  • Spatial Audio for Virtual Environments (Dolby)
  • Videogame Sound Design
  • Sound for Animation
  • Sound Synthesis
  • Seminar in Sound Production
  • Sonic Branding and Product Sound Design*
  • Digital Musical Instrument Design
  • Composing for the Screen 1
  • Composing for the Screen 2
  • Electronic Film Music
  • Museum Sound Design
  • Interactive Sound for Live Events
  • Open Your Ears – The Practice of Field Recording*
  • Interactive Sound Design
  • John Cage’s A Dip in the Lake*
  • Musical Media: Music Video, Film Musical, Music Videogames*
  • History and Analysis of Electroacoustic Music
  • History of the Recording Industry*
  • Archival History for Sound Artists*
  • Art of the Soundtrack*

Other Sound Arts and Industries Requirements

Students are required to give a presentation at a Spring Symposium consisting of work completed during coursework. These can take the form of an installation, soundtrack, podcast, documentary, performance piece, research essay, or a variety of other formats and genres.

A typical MA in Sound Arts and Industries student schedule might appear as follows:

Fall Quarter:

Intro to Sound Studies [Required]
Intro to Sound Production [Required]
Elective [Required]

Winter Quarter:

Intro to Sound Science [Required]
Elective [Required]
Elective [Required]

Spring Quarter:

Seminar in Sound Production [Recommended]
or
Elective [Required]
Elective [Required]
Elective [Required]

Summer Quarter:

Internship [Required]
Designing Careers in Sound [Required]
Elective [Required]

Interested in starting an application?

Visit our application page here.