Audio/Video Arts Technology Certificate

A/V tech has never been more critical to a company’s future success or in telling the world’s most important stories.

Program facts

Credit hours: 22
Includes fundamental computer networking, a skill key to career success in this industry
Complete in less than one year

Harper’s provides you with sought-after skills and internship experience to land your first job in the industry. Or, if you’re working in a related industry, take individual classes to gain expertise so that you can elevate your career options and marketability.

Professionals with audio/video technology skills and credentials have high-profile jobs in occupational areas such as music, film, podcasting, animation, fashion, marketing, news, theatre and in business, hotels, arenas, and schools. Earnings range by industry and specialty and the median annual salary is $50,000/year. See the Careers page for more info.
Experienced faculty with industry connections to companies such as CBS, InRush Broadcast Engineering, House of Blues, NoiseFloor, United Center and Chicago Cubs affiliates make sure you’re learning what’s needed to succeed in the field today.
Gain hands-on experience and produce impressive portfolio projects by working in the state-of-the-art Mass Communication Lab.
8- and 16-week courses are offered fall, spring and summer semesters. An eclectic and collaborative program between the Music and Communication Arts departments, courses can be applied to Harper’s Fine Arts A.F.A. degree. Many courses transfer to four-year universities.

Certificate program requirements

Program Overview

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The Audio/Video Arts Technology Certificate is a 22-credit hour collaborative program between the Music and Communication Arts departments. Through hands-on experience with digital and analog equipment, software as well as comprehensive course work, students will learn theoretical and technical skills to pursue careers in audio engineering, live sound reinforcement, audio tech, A/V and video production.

Required

Number	Course Title	Credits
MCM 210	Video Editing and Video Post -Production	3
Description: Focuses on using non-linear editing software to combine visuals and sound for a variety of genres and media types including cinematic storytelling, documentaries, news, and web series. Includes editing theory and techniques; film history; and post-production workflow including ingesting media, editing, sound mixing, color correction, and final delivery. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
MCM 212	Multi -Camera Production	3
Description: Introduces students to the application of fundamental multi-camera production techniques. Includes terminology, conceptualization, basic script writing, audio board operations, editing, shooting and lighting in multi-camera settings including live events, social media streaming and video conferencing. IAI MC 916-A Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
MCM 218	Broadcast Graphics	3
Description: Introduces the concepts, techniques, and vocabulary of motion graphics and compositing for motion picture, television broadcast, streaming, and other media outlets. Students will create, select, and manipulate video, photos, text, and vector assets within layered sequences for effective media communication. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
MUS 201	Fundamentals of Audio Technology	3
Description: Introduces students to concepts in sound physics, psychoacoustics, room acoustics, signal flow and gain staging in both analog and digital domains, microphone specifications, microphone placement techniques, analog to digital conversion as well as ear training skills to be utilized in audio production applications. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
MUS 202	Recording Techniques	3
Description: Teaches recording skills in studio and live sound environments. By conducting multi-track recording sessions, Also covers spectral, dynamic and time-based processing techniques, complex signal flow, parallel processing, live and overdub recording, comping, subgroups and bussing. Working within a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), Includes more complex routing in the digital realm along with proper archiving techniques. Live sound techniques will be demonstrated in our theaters and performances spaces giving students first-hand experience with design, setup and tear down of PA systems, location recording, microphone placement techniques, feedback treatment, room acoustics, live manipulation of a console, fold back, lighting and organization/management of a live event. Prerequisite: MUS 201 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
MUS 203	Mixing and Mastering Techniques	3
Description: Teaches proper mixing and mastering techniques in both the digital and analog domains. Prioritizes a thorough knowledge of digital processing via plugins while also conducting sessions in an analog studio. Explores proper spectral, spatial and dynamic mastering techniques with both digital and analog mastering chains with a focus on metering and loudness for various mediums, inter-sample peaks, SRC, dithering and creating a DDP image. Prerequisite: MUS 201 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
MUS 275	Audio /Video Arts Technology Internship or
Description: Provides work experience in the audio or video arts technology fields. Credit is given for participation in a supervised work experience wherein an organized training plan will be followed. This course may be repeated twice for a maximum of three credit hours. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
MCM 275	Mass Communication Internship	1-3
Description: Provides work experience in the various mass communication fields. Credit is given for participation in a supervised work experience wherein an organized training plan will be followed. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
NET 105	Information Technology Fundamentals	3
Description: Provides students with the skills required to identify and explain the basics of computing, IT, infrastructure, application and software, software development, database fundamentals and security. Contains basic computer maintenance and support principles. Includes computer science related topics including programming concepts and principles of software development and database design. Aligns to the CompTIA IT (ITF+) Fundamentals certification. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025

Next steps

For more information about starting your college education at Harper, please contact Admissions Outreach at 847.925.6700 or fill out our request information form.