Specific music production degrees generally depend on the concentrations of a college's program and how intensive the program is. For example, the Institute of Production and Recording offers an associate in applied science in media arts with a concentration in audio production and engineering, while McNally Smith College of Music offers a bachelors of science in music (music producer), as well as two associate of applied science degrees with emphases in recording technology and music production.
Curriculum also varies depending on declared concentration. Students focusing on engineering recording technology will take classes like recording theory, studio management and acoustics. At Berklee, music production and engineering majors take classes like critical listening, MIDI systems for music technology, advanced recording techniques and music production for visual media. Students at the Institute of Production and Recording, studying audio production, must complete courses such as desktop production, computer sciences for media professionals, web fluency and intellectual property and copyright law.
Outside of courses that concentrate specifically on music production and engineering, students of this field must often complete courses in other subjects that will add to their effectiveness as music producers. Classes outside of music departments that are common for these students include face-to-face communication, technical math, popular music and literature and history of popular music. Music classes like arranging and ear training may also be required by colleges and universities. Music production majors may also need to complete a fourth semester project that proves competence behind a sound board.
Music production majors have multiple jobs and occupations at their hands upon graduation. Careers taken by music production majors include digital audio engineer, recording artist, sound effects developer and beat producer. These students may also go on to work on the sound and music for films or television. Students who learn more about sound design and live recording or reproducing can find work in live theatres. Theatres need people with sufficient sound knowledge to produce large-scale musicals.