Audio Engineering
Audio Engineering
Build your future in sound - without leaving Southeast Texas. Â鶹Æƽâ°æ's Audio Engineering program prepares you for a career in the music industry, with thorough training in the core techniques of music production, recording, editing, and mixing. You'll learn directly from working industry professionals, gaining the hands-on experience, knowledge, and confidence it takes to thrive in a fast-changing recording field. Whether you're an artist or producer sharpening your engineering skills or aiming to become a professional audio engineer, this program gives you what you need to succeed. With small class sizes and a dedicated faculty, you'll receive individualized instruction on industry-standard equipment, including AVID, SSL, Focusrite, Universal Audio, and more. By graduation, you'll have a strong command of music theory, arrangement and composition, audio recording techniques, music technology, analog and digital signal flow and gain staging, and the current state of the music industry. Take the first step toward a rewarding career in audio engineering, right here close to home.
Top Careers in Audio Engineering
A degree in audio engineering can lead to rewarding roles like Recording Engineer, Live Sound Technician, Mixing Engineer, Audio Producer, or Studio Manager. Most professionals build toward these careers from entry-level positions that develop the skills and portfolio the field demands. Starting as a Studio Assistant or Audio Technician opens the door to becoming a Recording Engineer, while a role supporting live events can lead to sound design and production work. Freelance engineers often grow their client base into steady creative careers, and junior technicians move into lead engineering roles. These first jobs give you the foundation to grow into a better-paying, rewarding career in audio engineering.
The wage outlook for audio engineering in Texas is encouraging. According to O*NET data for Sound Engineering Technicians, workers in Texas earn $54,370 a year on average. Those just starting out - the lowest 10% - earn $34,920 or less annually, while the top 10% earn $83,120 or more annually. Entry-level roles like Studio Assistant or Audio Technician give you a solid foundation, and your earnings grow as you sharpen your skills and build a strong portfolio. It's a clear, practical route to a stable and fulfilling future in audio engineering, right here close to home.
Schedule a Meeting
Dr. Blas A. Canedo-Gonzalez
Chair of Commercial Music, Visual and Performing Arts
Sam and Linda Monroe Performing Arts Center Building, Office 144
Phone: 409-984-6547
Email: canedoba@lamarpa.edu
Program Information
| Course | Title | SCH |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ||
| MUSC 1325 | Acoustics | 3 |
| MUSC 1327 | Audio Engineering I | 3 |
| MUSI 1181 | Piano Class I | 1 |
| MUSI 1303 | Fundamentals of Music | 3 |
| MUSI 1310 | American Music | 3 |
| Second Semester | ||
| MUSB 1305 | Survey of Music Business | 3 |
| MUSC 1211 | Commercial Music Sight Singing & Ear Training I | 2 |
| MUSC 1213 | Commercial Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUSC 1331 | MIDI I | 3 |
| MUSC 2327 | Audio Engineering II | 3 |
| MUSI 1182 | Piano Class II | 1 |
| Summer Semester | ||
| PHYS 1315 or PHYS 1305 | Physical Science I or Elementary Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 1111 or PHYS 1105 | Physical Science I Lab or Elementary Physics Lab | 1 |
| Third Semester | ||
| MUSC 1196 | Special Topics in Recording Arts Technology/Technician | 1 |
| MUSC 1405 | Live Sound I | 4 |
| MUSC 2347 | Audio Engineering III | 3 |
| MATH 1314 or MATH 1332 | College Algebra or Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| PSYC 1300 or PSYC 2301 | Learning Framework or General Psychology | 3 |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| MUSB 1423 | Audio Electronics | 4 |
| MUSC 2403 | Live Sound II | 4 |
| MUSC 2448 | Audio Engineering IV | 4 |
| SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Total | 60 | |
| course | title | sch |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ||
| MUSC 1325 | Acoustics | 3 |
| MUSC 1327 | Audio Engineering I | 3 |
| MUSI 1181 | Piano Class I | 1 |
| MUSI 1303 | Fundamentals of Music | 3 |
| MUSI 1310 | American Music | 3 |
| Second Semester | ||
| MUSB 1305 | Survey of Music Business | 3 |
| MUSC 1211 | Commercial Music Sight Singing & Ear Training I | 2 |
| MUSC 1213 | Commercial Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUSC 1331 | MIDI I | 3 |
| MUSC 2327 | Audio Engineering II | 3 |
| MUSI 1182 | Piano Class II | 1 |
| Total | 27 | |
An Â鶹Æƽâ°æ degree in Audio Engineering sets you up for a future in recording, live sound, and music production. After completing the program, graduates can:
- Step into the workforce ready to create. Graduates often start as Recording Engineers, Live Sound Engineers, Sound Designers, Music Programmers, or Audio Producers - hands-on roles found in recording studios, performance venues, broadcast stations, and media companies across Southeast Texas and beyond.
- Build on real, marketable skills. Your training covers music production, recording, editing, mixing, music theory, arrangement and composition, audio technology, analog and digital signal flow, gain staging, audio electronics, and the music business - practical knowledge that employers and four-year programs value. Â鶹Æƽâ°æ lets you build this foundation close to home and at a price that fits your life.
- Continue toward a four-year degree. After Â鶹Æƽâ°æ, you can transfer toward a Bachelor of Communication with an emphasis in Broadcasting or Audio/Radio Production, or pursue a bachelor's pathway in film, cinematography, sound design, music technology, audio engineering, or sound as a fine art, where available.
- Grow into leadership roles. As you gain experience and sharpen your craft, doors open to positions like Mixing Engineer, Mastering Engineer, Broadcast Engineer, Studio Manager, or Producer - careers that reward both creativity and technical skill with strong earning potential.
With a transfer-ready foundation, you can earn your degree in Audio Engineering, move directly into studio or live sound work, and keep building your skills, portfolio, and career on a timeline that fits your goals.
What is the Audio Engineering program at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ?
The Audio Engineering program at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ prepares you for a career in the music industry, right here in Southeast Texas. Through the Commercial Music Program, you'll get hands-on training in the core techniques of music production, recording, editing, and mixing. You'll learn directly from working industry professionals, building the skills, knowledge, and confidence it takes to thrive in a fast-changing recording field. Whether you're an artist, a producer, or aiming to become a professional audio engineer, this program meets you where you are and gives you a clear path forward.
What credentials or skills will I build through the Audio Engineering program?
You'll build a strong, practical command of the studio - your most valuable asset for both work and transfer. Along the way, you'll develop skills in music theory, arrangement and composition, audio recording techniques, music technology, analog and digital signal flow, and gain staging, plus live sound, audio electronics, and the music business. With small class sizes and individualized instruction, you'll train on industry-standard equipment like AVID, SSL, Focusrite, and Universal Audio - the same tools the field depends on every day.
What kinds of jobs can I pursue with this degree?
This training opens doors at recording studios, performance venues, broadcast stations, and media companies throughout the region and beyond. Graduates step into roles such as Recording Engineer, Editor, Mixing Engineer, Mastering Engineer, Producer, Sound Designer, Live Sound Engineer, Broadcast Engineer, or Music Programmer. The hands-on experience you gain prepares you to move directly into studio or live sound work after graduation.
Is this program flexible for working adults?
Absolutely. The Audio Engineering program is built with commuters and working adults in mind, so you can pursue your goals without putting life on hold. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, you'll get personal attention and support every step of the way. An advisor can help you map out a schedule that fits your work and family commitments.
How long does it take to complete the program?
You can finish on a timeline that suits you. Most full-time students complete the Associate of Applied Science in about two years, while the certificate option takes around one year. Part-time scheduling lets you spread coursework over a longer span to fit work and family. An advisor will help you choose the path and pace that match your goals.
What is the salary potential for an audio engineer?
Pay in audio engineering reflects both your role and your experience. Entry-level positions like Studio Assistant or Audio Technician give you a solid foundation, while experienced recording engineers, mixing engineers, mastering engineers, and producers can earn considerably more. Your earnings will vary depending on the role you hold, the experience you bring, your employer, and the industry segment you work in - studio recording, live sound, broadcasting, or film and media. As you sharpen your skills and build a body of work, you open the door to higher-paying, rewarding careers in sound.
The Â鶹Æƽâ°æ Advantage
Ready to build a career in sound? Our Audio Engineering program connects you to opportunities across Southeast Texas and beyond. You'll work hands-on in real recording studios, mastering music production, recording, editing, and mixing alongside music theory, arrangement and composition, music technology, analog and digital signal flow, gain staging, live sound, audio electronics, and the music business. Small class sizes, individualized instruction, and dedicated faculty mean you learn on industry-standard gear - AVID, SSL, Focusrite, Universal Audio, and more. It's practical preparation for studio recording, live sound, broadcasting, and sound design, all at a price that won't hold you back.