Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2016-2017 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2016-2017 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Multimedia Arts Technology - Music (122 hours)(MATJ)


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The Bachelor of Science in Multimedia Arts Technology - Music is designed to prepare students for career opportunities in audio engineering, multimedia content creation, sound reinforcement, computer programming for multimedia projects, and technology-based performance. Students in this degree receive intensive, hands-on instruction and experience utilizing state-of-the-art electronic equipment and labs.

Admission procedures for the B.S. MAT - Music include:


  1. An application to the University during the initial filing period;
  2. An application to the School of Music including a letter outlining their background, interests, and goals.
  3. Attending a School of Music New Student Admissions Day to:
  • complete an interview with Multimedia Arts Technology faculty (including submission of a portfolio and brief performance)
  • complete the theory testing for placement
  • attend informational sessions at the School of Music.

Visit www.wmich.edu/multimedia/apply or consult with Music’s Undergraduate Advisor for additional application details.

Prospective or current WMU students may apply to the B.S. MAT major a maximum of two times. Qualified students will initially be admitted to the program with the designation pre-MAT based on the following criteria:

  1. The extent to which their goals are in line with the program goals.
  2. The extent to which their knowledge and background supports achieving these goals.
  3. Available space in the program.

To matriculate from pre-MAT to the MAT-major, students must:

  1. Earn a grade of “C” or better for all courses taken to fulfill major course requirements.
  2. Complete MUS 1590 or MUS 1600, MUS 1940, MUS 1945, MUS 1950, MUS 2220, and MUS 2240 with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher for those courses. These courses must be completed during a student’s first two semesters as a pre-MAT student.

At the end of student’s 2nd semester as pre-MAT, each pre-MAT student will be evaluated based on the above criteria. The outcome of these evaluations will be:

  1. MAT major: The student successfully met the criteria and is now a MAT-major.
  2. Probation: Students who are close to meeting the above criteria can retake certain classes the following two semesters in order to meet the criteria. If a student is successful in meeting the above criteria upon retaking classes, then the student is a MAT-major. If not successful, the student is in category 3 below.
  3. Rejection: For students who clearly do not meet the above criteria or who fail to improve within one year of being placed on probation, the student is no longer pre-MAT and can not take additional courses towards the MAT-major. Students in this category can re-apply to the School of Music to be reconsidered for admission.

1. General Education Electives (37 credit hours)


2. Major Core Music Program (13-15 credit hours)


Music Theory (2-3 credit hours)


One course selected from the following:

Music Appreciation (3-4 credit hours)


Music Performance (8 credit hours) selected from:


All MAT students must register at least once for:

Applied Music and Ensembles (7 credit hours)


Applied Music (MUS 1000) and Ensembles are available to students who can qualify by audition with appropriate applied faculty and/or ensemble director. Select an additional 7 credits from the courses immediately below or the Ensemble Electives:

Or Ensemble Electives

These courses may be repeated for credit.

Required Laptop Purchase

To complete this program, the student must have the use of a Mac laptop computer. Please consult with the MAT faculty for current hardware and software recommendations.

3. Major Course Requirements in Multimedia Arts Technology (41-43 credit hours)


A minimum 9 credit hours selected from the following:


Course Substitutions


Subject to approval by the School of Music MAT faculty and undergraduate advisor, additional courses related to arts and technology (not already listed above) may be used to fulfill some MAT requirements on a case-by case basis.

Capstone Project (4 credit hours)


The capstone project is designed and completed by students with faculty oversight. The capstone project is an outgrowth of the candidate’s course work and must be approved by the MAT faculty. The project will constitute a significant demonstration of skills with and application of multimedia arts technology. Projects will reflect each student’s technological and artistic focus. The capstone project will provide the student with significant artifacts as part of their portfolio for potential employers or graduate school. Students register for 2 credit hours each semester during their final year and are required to give a thirty-minute public presentation of the project.

4. A Minor in Another Department of the University (15 credit hours minimum)


  1. In the event that the credit hours for the minor requirements established by the department which offers that minor are greater than 15, the students may make an appropriate adjustment in the hours allowed for free electives.
  2. Due to the significant overlap in courses, MAT-majors may not use either the Music minor or the MAT-minor to fulfill the Bachelor of Science requirement of a minor.

5. Free Electives (15-18 credit hours)


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